Victoria's face went white. "But that's completely insane. The evidence against Blackstone is ironclad."
"The evidence is solid, but public perception is another matter. Wells is claiming that you used your influence to have me investigate Blackstone. That the whole conspiracy case is retaliation for his interference in your personal life."
"That's not how it happened," David protested. "I brought the complaints to the judge weeks before Victoria even met Ethan."
"I know that. You know that. But Wells has already given interviews to Channel 12 and the Arizona Republic. The story will be online within the hour. Tech CEO uses legal system to eliminate romantic rival."
Ethan looked around the lobby, suddenly seeing the elegant crowd through different eyes. How many of these people would believe that a neighborhood mechanic could legitimately attract a tech CEO? How many would assume that any relationship between them had to be manufactured for business purposes?
"This is exactly what Blackstone wanted," Victoria said bitterly. "Even from jail, he's going to destroy both of us."
"Maybe not."
Emma's clear voice cut through their worried conversation. She was standing behind them in her performance dress, having apparently caught the end of their discussion.
"Mom, remember what you always tell me about problems? You said the best way to beat a lie is with the truth. And the best way to prove the truth is to show it, not just say it."
Mia appeared beside Emma, still in her gala dress, but now carrying a small digital camera that Emma must have given her.
"We have an idea," Mia announced with the confidence of someone who'd clearly been appointed spokeswoman.
"Girls," Ethan said gently. "This is complicated adult stuff."
"No, it's not," Emma said firmly. "It's simple kid stuff that adults made complicated. Mrs. Wells is saying you and Mom are pretending to like each other for business reasons, right?"
Judge Caldwell nodded, intrigued despite himself. "That's essentially her claim. Yes."
"But that's silly," Mia said matter-of-factly. "Because we have proof it's real."
Emma pulled out her phone with the seriousness of someone presenting crucial evidence.
"Mia and I have been texting and video calling every day since we met, and we've been documenting everything because we wanted to make a scrapbook of how our families became friends."
She began scrolling through her phone, showing them dozens of photos and videos. Ethan working in his shop while talking to Victoria on speakerphone, Victoria laughing during their phone conversations, Mia practicing her dance moves while Emma played piano accompaniment over video chat.
The two girls planning their matching dresses and comparing notes on their parents' growing affection.
"See," Emma said triumphantly. "We have like a hundred pictures and videos of Mom being happy when she talks to Mr. Rodriguez. And look at this one. That's Mom crying happy tears when she watched Mia dance at the recital."
"And this is Daddy," Mia added, taking the phone and scrolling to a video of Ethan in his shop smiling while reading a text message. "Emma asked me to film him when he got messages from your mom. Look how his whole face changes when he sees her name."