“And Vanessa,” Emily added, turning to face the young woman who now seemed far less certain of her place in this drama. “I’m sure you’re beginning to understand that you’ve walked into something far more complex than you expected.”

Vanessa nodded, the reality of the situation sinking in. She glanced at Richard, whose eyes were fixed on the floor, and then looked back at Emily. “I… I didn’t know,” she whispered, her confidence evaporating.

Emily nodded, her expression softening slightly. “Perhaps you didn’t. But now you do.”