Chapter 6 - The First Version
Officer Daniel Ross listened without interrupting.
Vanessa spoke first.
She said Lily had intentionally blocked Parker’s car. She claimed Parker moved forward only because he believed there was space. She described the collision as accidental and insisted the family argument afterward had made everything appear worse.
“Then why is the driver’s door keyed?” Ross asked.
Vanessa looked toward Parker.
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“Why did he post a video?”
“He panicked.”
“People usually don’t laugh when they panic.”
Parker folded his arms.
“You weren’t there.”
“No,” Ross said. “That’s why I’m asking questions.”
Lily stood beside Mark, pale and silent. The officer’s body camera faced the driveway. Mark showed him the saved post, the photographs, and the tire marks.
Vanessa began crying harder.
“Mark has always hated Parker because Parker’s father has money.”
Mark looked at her.
“Ethan’s money?”
Her face tightened.
The divorce had left Vanessa with a comfortable settlement, but Ethan still paid for most of Parker’s life. Vanessa enjoyed presenting it as proof of her own status.
Officer Ross inspected the Mercedes.
Parker moved closer.
“That damage was already there.”
Ross looked at him.
“Your mother said you struck the car accidentally.”
Parker froze.
Vanessa turned sharply.
“He means part of the damage.”
The officer wrote something in his notebook.
May you like
Their stories were already separating.
Then Mark’s phone buzzed.
