6. Grant
Chapter six
Grant
"Jessie Lestor filed photographs with her amended claim this morning. Three images of Mrs. Bennett and her daughter at the lodge. One shows bedding hung over the porch rail. Another captures them carrying cleaning supplies. The third—"
"Shows Laurie standing at the property line looking uncomfortable," I finish. "I was there."
"Then you know how this plays." Vivian doesn't soften her tone.
"Jessie's attorney is framing Mrs. Bennett and her daughter as vulnerable outsiders you're exploiting to manufacture occupancy.
Poor widow, dead husband, between homes, pressured by her wealthy employer to participate in property fraud. "
My jaw locks.
Dean shifts in his seat. "We have documentation. Everything's legitimate."
"Documentation doesn't counter optics." Vivian pauses. "And Jessie's narrative has emotional weight. Rich sports franchise versus grieving single mother trying to survive."
"Laurie isn't a victim," I say quietly.
"I know that. You know that. But Jessie is betting the court will see a power imbalance."
"What are you recommending?" Dean asks.
Vivian exhales. "If Mrs. Bennett is involved, she needs to be visible as a respected participant. Not hidden away. Right now, Jessie controls the narrative. We need to shift that."
"How?"
"The donor event next week. Property sponsors, team stakeholders, media presence." Vivian's tone sharpens. "Grant, you need a warm, stable public image. Something that contradicts Jessie's portrayal of you as a cold businessman exploiting workers."
Dean leans back. "You want him to look human."
"I want him to look like someone who values people, not just assets."
I think of Laurie standing in the cold, arms wrapped around herself while Jessie twisted her presence into something ugly.
"Laurie attends the event," I say.
Vivian doesn't miss a beat. "As what?"
"As herself. Contractor working on a significant team property project."
"That reinforces the employer-employee dynamic Jessie's exploiting."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Silence stretches.
Dean breaks it first. "Bring her as a date."
"No." My hand tightens around the phone.
"Hear me out." Dean's expression stays neutral. "You show up with Mrs. Bennett beside you, looking comfortable and respected. You introduce her as someone working on the lodge restoration. You treat her like she belongs in that room, not like hired help. It neutralizes Jessie's victim narrative."
"It also drags Laurie deeper into this mess."
"She's already in it." Vivian's voice gentles slightly.
"I'm not using Laurie as a prop."
"Then think of it as giving her visibility." Vivian pauses. "Right now, she's hidden. Easy to misrepresent. If she's present at a major team event, looking confident and valued, Jessie loses ammunition."
Dean nods. "It's not about using her. It's about including her, and legitimizing her work on the lodge."
I stand, pacing to the window overlooking the facility. Players move across the ice below, running drills. Clean lines. Clear strategy. Nothing like the tangled mess this conversation has become.
"Grant." Vivian's tone shifts. "If you want to protect Mrs. Bennett's dignity, this is how you do it. You make her visible as someone who matters. Not someone you're hiding."
I close my eyes.
Strategy. Not emotion.
Documentation doesn't matter if the court sees exploitation. And Jessie knows exactly how to frame Laurie as collateral damage.
"I'll ask her," I say finally.
"Good." Vivian's relief is audible. "And Grant? When you do, don't make it sound like an order."
The call ends.
I stand at the window for another minute, watching the players. Discipline. Control. Clear objectives.
Then I pull out my phone and dial Laurie's number before I can talk myself out of it.
She answers on the third ring. "Mr. Thorne."
"Grant."
"Still feels weird." I hear the smile in her voice, and something in my chest eases. "What's up?"
"I need to ask you something."
Her tone shifts. "That sounds ominous."
"There's a donor event next week. Property sponsors, stakeholders, some media." I keep my voice even. "I'd like you to be there."
Silence.
"Grant, I don't think—"
"Jessie is framing you as a victim I'm exploiting. If you're hidden, her narrative wins. If you're visible, respected, and you report on the progress of the restoration..."
"It undercuts her story."
"Yes."
Laurie exhales slowly. "So this is strategy."
"You're not a liability, Laurie. But Jessie will keep treating you like one unless we change the optics."
"Grant."
I force the edge back into my voice. "If you're attending as my guest, you should look the part. Dress nice."
The words land wrong the second they leave my mouth.
Silence stretches.
"Dress nice," Laurie repeats slowly.
"That came out—"
"I'll think about it." She pauses. "Is that all, Mr. Thorne?"
The formality stings more than it should.
"Yes."
She hangs up.
I stand at the window, staring at the ice below, replaying the conversation.
Dress nice.
Like she's a problem to be managed. An asset to be polished.
Exactly what Jessie accused me of treating her as.
My phone buzzes again.
You're an idiot. — Marianne
Yes. yes, I am.