Page 114 of Brewing Up My Fresh Start
Mrs. Hensley steps into the camera range with documentation. “We have testimonials from twelve communities where Mr. Norris used identical tactics. Business owners who trusted him, community leaders who believedhis promises, federal projects that somehow benefited his companies while leaving local partners broke.”
“This is a pattern of predatory behavior spanning five years and three states,” Jessica adds, opening her laptop. “Individual victims couldn’t afford legal action, but coordinated evidence from multiple communities tells a clear story.”
Rebecca examines the documents, her expression shifting as she realizes the scope of what they’ve uncovered. “These are serious allegations. Have you contacted law enforcement?”
“We’re documenting everything for presentation to federal authorities,” Grayson says. “Grant fraud is a federal crime, especially when it involves systematic targeting of community development programs.”
“Mr. Norris approached Channel 7 with concerns about Ms. Lawson’s grant management. In light of this new information, those concerns appear to be part of a deliberate campaign to discredit her professional competence.”
The admission hits like vindication. David didn’t just threaten me—he manipulated local media to create public doubt about my grants, my business, my professional competence.
“David Norris,” I say clearly, looking directly into the camera, “targets communities like Twin Waves because we’re small enough to be vulnerable and successful enough to be worth exploiting. He researches our projects, approaches us with offers that sound reasonable, then creates problems when we refuse to become his victims.”
“What’s your message to other communities who might be facing similar situations?”
Grayson’s hand finds mine again, his touch grounding me for the most important statement I’ll ever make on television.
“Document everything. Research your potential partners thoroughly. Trust your instincts when someone approaches you with offers that seem too good to be true.” I pause,thinking about every small business owner who’s faced David’s manipulation. “And never let anyone convince you that you’re not capable of managing your own success. Sometimes the people offering to help you are really trying to steal what you’ve built.”
“Grayson, what’s next for the preservation project?”
“The grants are secure, properly managed, and will fund exactly the historic preservation work they were designed to support. Michelle has built something extraordinary here, with community support that David Norris could never replicate or replace.”
“And your professional partnership?”
The question carries weight beyond business collaboration. Grayson looks at me with an intensity that makes the studio lights feel dim by comparison.
“My partnership with Michelle Lawson is the most important professional relationship of my career. She’s brilliant, dedicated, and absolutely capable of managing complex federal projects. Any developer would be honored to work with her.”
The words carry subtext that makes my pulse accelerate. Professional admiration layered with personal devotion, public declaration wrapped in corporate speak.
“What about the investors who raised concerns about your collaboration?”
For a moment, Grayson’s expression darkens. “Some investors prioritize short-term profits over long-term community benefits. Michelle’s preservation grants ensure that development serves the community rather than exploiting it. Investors who can’t see that value probably aren’t the right partners for sustainable development.”
It’s a statement that could cost him millions of dollars in contracts. A public declaration that he’s choosing communitypreservation over investor profits, choosing me over career advancement.
Choosing us over everything else.
“Thank you both. This is Rebecca Santos, reporting from Twin Waves, where a small business owner’s fight against predatory practices has revealed a pattern of exploitation targeting communities across three states.”
The cameras stop rolling, but the aftermath feels electric. Grayson turns to me with an expression that bypasses every professional consideration and goes straight to the heart of what matters.
“Michelle, I need to tell you?—”
“Mr. Reed?” Rebecca interrupts. “One more question, off camera. The investors you mentioned—are you prepared to lose them over this?”
Grayson’s smile carries satisfaction.
“Rebecca, I have a meeting with those investors in twenty minutes. And I’m about to explain why Michelle Lawson’s preservation funding is exactly what makes this project worth building.”
He looks at me with heated intensity that makes breathing difficult. “Some things are worth fighting for, regardless of the cost.”
The words hit me like lightning, full of promise and heat and the dangerous kind of certainty that changes everything. Grayson came back not just to protect me from David, but to choose us over every safe, profitable alternative.
To choose love over fear when it matters most.
“Go,” I whisper, my voice rough with emotion. “Go fight for us.”
