Stages of The Heart- Ellie Morch

Chapter 11: Collecting Evidence and the Confrontation

Shawn had been in countless high-stakes situations as a CEO, but this felt different. This time, it wasn’t about a contract, a deal, or a merger; it was about Erica. He couldn’t shake the images in his mind of her—distraught, scrutinized, unfairly criticized. The incident had left her exposed in a way that made him feel a quiet, simmering anger.

For Shawn, it wasn’t enough to simply manage the public relations fallout. He wanted to make sure Erica’s truth was heard, and those responsible faced consequences. Sitting in his office late into the night, he poured over the evidence: social media posts, news clips, and messages Erica had shared with him. But he knew that to get real justice, he needed more substantial proof.

Over the next few days, he set up meetings with the security team at the club and enlisted the help of the legal team to gather any footage or witness statements from the night of the incident. As a CEO, he had the authority to get people to listen, but he used his connections sparingly and discreetly. His priority was Erica’s well-being, not creating another media circus.

It took nearly a week, but the evidence began to take shape. He gathered statements from a few patrons who had seen the incident and obtained surveillance footage from the club showing the men who had harassed Erica and Lana, acting aggressively and refusing to back down even as the women clearly looked uncomfortable. It was more than enough to show that Erica’s actions had been in self-defense.

With the evidence in hand, Shawn arranged a private meeting with the abuser’s representatives. The man in question, Connor Prescott, was a well-connected socialite, known for using his connections to get away with almost anything. But this time, Shawn was determined he would be held accountable.

The confrontation was tense. In a sleek, glass-walled conference room, Shawn sat across from Connor and his legal team. Connor’s casual demeanor faltered when he saw the footage. His lawyer stammered excuses, attempting to downplay the situation, but Shawn held firm, his tone unyielding.

“This isn’t going away, Connor,” Shawn said, his voice like steel. “You crossed a line, and you will face the consequences.”

Connor shifted uncomfortably. “Look, man, I didn’t mean any harm. It was just… miscommunication.”

Shawn’s eyes narrowed. “Miscommunication? She told you to back off multiple times, and you ignored her. I have witnesses, and I have the footage. This isn’t something you can brush under the rug.”

Connor’s lawyer tried to intervene, suggesting a settlement, but Shawn shook his head. “No. You’ll go to the police, and you’ll give your side of the story, along with your acknowledgment of what happened. It’s the least you can do.”

The weight of Shawn’s words finally settled over Connor, who reluctantly agreed. By the end of the meeting, Connor had no choice but to cooperate. Shawn knew that facing the police was only the beginning of Connor’s repercussions, but it was a start.

That evening, Shawn received a call. Erica was at the police station, providing her statement, and he decided to head over. She had no idea that he’d been working behind the scenes to bring Connor to justice, but he wanted to be there in case she needed support.

When he arrived at the station, he saw her in the waiting area, looking tired but resolute. She glanced up, surprised to see him there.

“Shawn?” she asked, standing up as he approached. “What are you doing here?”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I wanted to make sure everything was okay. I know this isn’t easy.”

Erica’s eyes softened, and she let out a sigh. “Thank you. Honestly, just knowing someone has my back makes all the difference.”

They sat together in the waiting area for a few moments. Shawn glanced around, ensuring they had a bit of privacy, then spoke quietly. “I know how much this has weighed on you, Erica. And I want you to know—whatever happens next, you don’t have to go through it alone.”

She looked at him, her expression a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. “It’s strange. I always thought I was prepared for anything this career threw at me. But this… it’s different. The pressure, the scrutiny… sometimes it feels like it’s too much.”

“You’re stronger than you think,” he replied, his voice steady. “You’ve handled this with more grace than most people would. And remember, everyone who matters knows the truth.”

She reached over, her hand resting briefly on his. “Thank you, Shawn. Really. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

They shared a quiet moment, the weight of the past weeks settling between them. For Shawn, it was a moment of clarity—his connection with Erica went beyond work, beyond duty. He wanted to protect her, to be by her side. And no matter what lay ahead, he was ready to stand with her.