Page 81 of Behind These Four Walls

Waitstaff glided through the room with trays of champagne flutes and delicate hors d’oeuvres, their movements so synchronized it was like they were choreographed. Victor probably hated it. As he had said, this was all for Brooke anyway. Still, it was a celebration. But Isla wasn’t there for that. She was there for one purpose: to make Victor see the truth and the light.

Lawrence got Isla access through the back maintenance entrance, and she was relieved when she ran into Mae, who, after a long look and Isla’s promise that she meant no harm, turned her back and continued commanding her troop of staff and hired servers with quick military precision.

Isla passed the doorway to the grand ballroom, where Brooke Corrigan stood at the room’s center, her golden gown shimmering like molten metal. She greeted guests with air-kisses and a regal smile, every motion exuding dominance. Isla hesitated in the doorway, captivatedby the stunning beauty. It was a shame that Brooke’s inside didn’t reflect her exterior.

Isla squared her shoulders and headed the opposite way from the mass of guests. To the theater.

She had everything queued when the door opened and Victor walked in, followed by Myles, asking what this was about. She imagined the guests were feeling really good from the champagne at this point because the party sounded a little more raucous, which was good, because it meant their small group wouldn’t be missed for her big reveal if everything went according to plan.

Victor’s face contorted with fury when he saw her. He shot a grave look at Myles for his defiance at bringing her back, then turned to Isla to vent his wrath.

“What are you doing here, Isla? Weren’t you sent back home to LA or Daytona, wherever it is you come from?” Victor said, taking a few more steps in.

Behind him everyone else filed in, confused by Isla’s sudden appearance, wondering why Myles had brought them there. She ignored Brooke’s glare and Bennett’s sneer and the awful joke he cracked as she addressed the only person who mattered.

“What is she doing here? Call security,” Brooke said. When no one moved fast enough, she turned to do just that, but Myles barred the door.

Isla began, “Mr. Corrigan, I know I’m the last person you want to hear from, let alone see, and I understand. I betrayed your and your family’s trust immensely, and for that I do apologize. But it was the only way. Please sit.”

Bennett said, “I thought we kicked her ass out. We need better people running security.”

Bennett was irrelevant, and Isla ignored him. There was only one audience member in the room who mattered. “I didn’t think you’d want me to broadcast this to all your guests, Mr. Corrigan. I wanted to give you that much respect.”

“Respect?” Victor’s sharp eyes narrowed as he followed Holland, taking a seat after her. “You come into my home under false pretenses, and you talk about respect? I knew there was more to you than you were letting on. So now we get to it.”

Holland watched, wide eyed and confused, then looked to each person, helpless and lost. Isla couldn’t bring herself to look at her anymore, the only one of them who’d trusted Isla sincerely. Out of everyone here, it was Holland Isla worried about the most. It was Holland who was Isla’s one regret.

“Is the article finished, Isla?” Holland asked, hope in her voice.

“I’m here to give you the truth,” she said, her voice strengthening. Brooke and Bennett sat in the next row, Jackson in the last, observing as always as he watched the scene unfold. His calm was ethereal, and it was the only thing about him that impressed her. His ability to bide his time was out of this world. Dixon also sat in the last row, and Myles leaned against the wall.

Isla took her place at the front. She’d set out to expose the truth from the beginning. She’d never expected to care how the truth would destroy even the good parts of this family. Like Holland, and Myles, and even Victor.

Victor asked, “What truth?”

Brooke seemed not to know what to do, whether she wanted to sit or walk out or attack Isla. She said, “Jackson, call the police. This is stalking.”

“Shut up, Mother,” Holland snapped, and Brooke fell silent, shocked by her daughter’s sudden backbone.

Isla replied, “Yes, Victor, I knew your daughter in Daytona. I knew her mom Elise too. I was there when Elise passed and when she told Eden to come back to you.” She continued despite Victor’s pained expression when he heard Elise’s name. Before she could show them their truths, she’d first admit her own.

“I did plot to get into your family because I was in town with Edie. We came because she said she had something to take care of withthe Corrigans. The night she disappeared, she told me to wait for her before she left in a yellow Jeep with a dent on its bumper. She said she had unfinished business with the Corrigans. I thought she had a grudge against you for firing her mom and that she blamed you for her mom getting sick and dying. I only found out who Eden was—that she was a Corrigan herself—the first night I stayed here. I only came back to find out what you all did to my friend.”

“Whatwedid?” Victor’s voice came out strangled.

Bennett sneered, “Is this some kind of blackmail? Did she send you here to do her dirty work for her?”

Isla merely stared at him, his nerve beyond her imagination, until Bennett focused his attention elsewhere, guilt and fear written all over his face.

Isla pulled out the recorder, watching Jackson’s movements. He barely flinched, self-assured, or playing at it, as he slipped a pack of gum from his pocket and put a stick in his mouth. His eyes slid to Isla, daring her to make the next move.

“I never wanted your money,” she said to Bennett. “I owed Eden, and I never wanted anything more from the Corrigans but the truth.”

She pressed play, letting the truth be told by the person who knew best.

Eden’s voice came through, clear and haunting as it filled the room.

“Testing ... testing ... one, two. One, two. Hope this shit works.”