“And the story.” Carol pushes the envelope toward us. “I found out when he showed up at my house with more money than he should have. Started bragging about his ‘big score.’ When I realized what he’d done, I confronted him. He admitted everything.”
“Why are you telling us this?” I ask.
“Because what he did was wrong.” Her eyes meet mine. “I read the article. Saw what they’re saying about Ms. Rivers. And it’s not true. I know it’s not true because I’ve worked with her for two years. She’s professional, ethical, and one of the best people on that staff.”
Tears well in Olivia’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Carol taps the envelope. “In here is everything you need. Screenshots of Jake’s texts with the reporter. Bank records showing the payment. And a signedconfession where he admits that he fabricated parts of the story to make it more salacious.”
My jaw clenches. “He made things up?”
“The anonymous sources? Fabricated. The claim that Ms. Rivers leaked your arrest information? A lie he told to make the story more believable.” Carol’s expression hardens. “My nephew is an idiot and a liar. But he’s also willing to make this right. He’ll testify, go on record, whatever you need.”
“Why?” Olivia asks. “Why would he do that?”
“Because I told him if he didn’t, I’d turn him in myself.” Carol stands. “I’m sorry for what he did. For what you’re both going through. But I hope this helps.”
She leaves before we can thank her properly, disappearing out the door as quickly as she came.
I grab the envelope, opening it. Inside are exactly what Carol promised—screenshots, bank records, and a notarized confession from Jake Martinez admitting to fabricating parts of the story and selling the photos without permission.
“This is it,” I breathe. “This clears you.”
Olivia stares at the documents, hands shaking. “Oh, my God.”
“We need to call Ralph. Get this to Mark immediately.” I’m already pulling out my phone.
“Carter, wait.” She grabs my wrist. “What about Jake? If we do this, he’ll lose his job. Maybe face legal consequences.”
“Good. He should.”
“But Carol, she seemed so ashamed. She’s trying to make this right.”
“And Jake should face consequences for what he did.” I soften my voice. “Olivia, he lied about you. Made you look like a manipulative gold digger. He doesn’t deserve protection.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then nods. “You’re right. Call Ralph.”
I dial, and Ralph answers on the second ring. I explain everything, Carol’s visit, the documents, Jake’s confession.
“Get to my office,” Ralph says. “Now. I need to see these documents, and then we’re taking them straight to Mark.”
“On our way.”
We’re out the door and in my truck within minutes. Olivia clutches the envelope like it’s made of gold, and maybe it is. It will give her back her reputation, her job and her life.
“This is really happening,” she whispers as I pull onto the highway.
“Yeah. It is.”
“We can prove I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You never did anything wrong.” I reach over, squeezing her knee. “And everyone’s about to know that.”
She covers my hand with hers. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For believing in me. Even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
