Chapter 253: Hollow Triumph
Georgia and Vicky stood at the edge of the dock, the salty wind tugging at their hair as they waited for the boats to return. The air was already thick with tension, with the police officers walking behind them and the sound of the radios in the background, but it sharpened further when a commanding voice cut through the sound of waves and murmurs.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Benjamin Knight’s stern tone made every head turn. He strode toward them, hands planted firmly on his waist, his expression dark as Reagan followed close behind. "I was just informed there are coast guards and police officers swarming my port—including the chief of police? Someone better explain this to me right now."
"Daddy," Vicky greeted, her voice steady despite the weight of his gaze. She positioned herself between him and Georgia. "They’re chasing Nancy. Georgia already filed a murder case against her, and instead of facing it, Nancy tried to escape on a charter boat from the marina. Nick and Liam went after her with the police and coast guards."
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed. "Murder?"
Reagan let out a low whistle. "That’s one hell of an accusation."
Georgia’s lips pressed into a thin line, choosing silence, but she still rolled her eyes. But Vicky wasn’t one to back down. "It’s not just an accusation—it’s a fact. We have undeniable evidence. So strong that the police didn’t even need a court-issued arrest warrant. Nancy’s case isn’t speculation anymore—it’s certain."
Benjamin shifted his gaze, finally landing on Georgia. She wasn’t looking at him, though—her eyes stayed fixed on the dark horizon where the speedboats had disappeared. The wind whipped harder, and she rubbed her arms against the chill.
"Are you alright, Georgia?" Benjamin’s voice softened, his usual steel cracking with concern.
She forced a small smile, though it barely reached her eyes. "I’m fine, Dad. But... Nancy is not my only problem right now. My house was burned down last night. And my niece’s nanny was stabbed by the arsonists." Her voice wavered for a moment before releasing a heavy sigh. "I just hope this isn’t connected to Nancy."
Benjamin’s face drained of color. "My God, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Where’s your niece? Where are you staying?"
"She’s safe. We’re staying at Nick’s house for now." Georgia’s gaze flicked briefly toward Reagan before returning to Benjamin. "Mom insisted on watching over her until the nanny recovers. I told her I could manage, but you know her, she wanted to help, saying she’s bored at home, so I accepted it." She gave a faint shrug. "She won’t leave until she’s sure we’re settled."
Benjamin’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts roaring to the surface. "Why is no one telling me anything anymore?" His fists clenched at his sides. "Tell me what you need, Georgia. Whoever set that fire will pay."
"Thank you, Dad," she said softly. "But Nick and Oliver are already working on it. I just hope we can resolve it soon."
Before Benjamin could answer, footsteps pounded across the dock. A police officer hurried up to them, his expression urgent. "They’re on their way back. The suspect has been apprehended, along with three crew members. Their boat flipped during the chase, but everyone was pulled out safely."
All eyes turned back to the sea, waiting for the flashing lights to break through the dark waves.
For a beat, everyone simply watched the dark sea, waiting for the boats to cut through the waves and pull alongside the port.
As soon as the boats docked, the police officers wasted no time and immediately began dragging wet bodies up the ladder like rag dolls.
They brought Nancy onto the dock last; soaked hair plastered to her face, clothing clinging and dripping, eyes wild with a mixture of fury and fear.
Two officers had a firm hold on her arms. She resisted, squirmed, spat, but between the cold, the cuffs, and the company of coast guard and police around her, her struggles were futile.
Nancy’s gaze swept the gathered faces and landed on Georgia. Her lips curled into something that pretended to be defiance. "You miserable—" she began, voice a raw slither of accusation, but the words tore out like bullets.
Georgia stepped forward before anyone could intervene. Fury had flared in her chest the moment Nancy’s voice cut through the air.
The other emotions—relief, exhaustion, raw, hollow triumph, lined up behind the anger that pushed her forward.
When Nancy hissed, "I didn’t push you—you fell trying to escape Raymond. Surely, you and Nick have always been close; you wanted his company, didn’t you? David died because you wanted it! You and Nick are the real murderers!" The words hit like a slap themselves.
That was all Georgia needed. Her hand rose and landed a hard, clean slap across Nancy’s face that echoed, making some of the people watching them gasp.
Nancy’s mouth fell open. "You bitch!" Nancy tried to force a retort, but Georgia’s palm came down again before the next word left her. The second slap was sharper, angrier—a sound Georgia felt in her bones as much as heard.
"Do you think those are enough?" Georgia’s voice was low but fierce, every syllable controlled and deliberate. Officers around them shifted, uneasy but restrained. "That slap isn’t even close. Even if you died right now, it still wouldn’t be enough."
Nancy’s eyes flashed, equal parts indignation and terror. "You’ll regret this—" she spat, but the words had no force behind them.
Georgia kept going, the confession pouring out of her in a rush that surprised even herself. "What you did... to me, to my brother, to Martha Hobbs and whatever else you’ve done that we haven’t even uncovered yet, can’t be paid for with death. You don’t get mercy because you’re clever with lies. You need to suffer more than the people you hurt. You will rot in jail. I will make sure of it."
Her voice was steady. It carried not just grief but an iron resolve: this was no longer just personal. This was the end of whatever facade Nancy had worn for years.
Around them, men and women in uniforms listened, even some of the workers at the port, some with sympathy, some with professional distance.
Nancy screamed like an animal cornered and facing death. It was the scream of someone who had lost control, of someone who understood that her luck had run out.
Officers hustled her toward the police car: firm hands, efficient motions, no theatricality. One recited the standard warning again, softer now, just to be sure and to stay official.
"Get her in," an officer barked. Nancy thrashed, but two officers lifted and pushed. They wedged her into the back seat; the door slammed, and her screams were muffled.
She banged the window once, then thumped it again as if trying to hit the world back into place. Her shouts faded into the night.
Georgia remained in her spot, chest heaving, palms clenched until her nails bit into her skin. Around her, people murmured, but she didn’t care and kept her gaze fixed on Nancy.
Until firm, steady hands landed on her shoulder. "Babe," Nick uttered, making Georgia turn to him.
Georgia gasped after seeing the state Nick was in, "You are all wet. You’re going to get sick!"
Nick chuckled at how fast her expression changed. He saw how she faced and slapped Nancy. He saw the fury in her eyes, but now he’s just happy that she’s back in her usual self.
"You did well. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine," he said, rough with emotion but controlled. "We’ll finish this—properly."
She let herself exhale, a small, ragged sound, then turned her face up to meet him. The fight wasn’t over; Nancy’s sins and the venom of her lies would still have to be dismantled in court. But for the first time since the chaos began, Georgia felt something close to closure tighten around the frayed edges of her life.
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Author’s Note: 10/1/2025
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