It was a plea to be seen as a victim of the same man who had victimized me, and while there was a sliver of truth in it, it conveniently skipped past the nineteen invoices with her brother’s name on them.

She had wanted the version of the story where I was nobody, because in that version she was not stealing another woman’s husband and defrauding eight hundred people — she was simply a more deserving woman claiming her rightful place.

People believe the story that lets them keep their self-image intact.

Lavinia had believed hers right up until an investigator stopped her at the kitchen doors, and now the story was over, and she was left holding what she had actually done.

Chapter 16 — Judgment

Lucan was escorted out before dessert was served.