Owen's phone screen glowed as he held it up for everyone to see. The fabricated GPS tracking data showed a neat trail of delivery routes across the city on Tuesday night.
"Six deliveries," Owen announced with growing confidence. "Noah Lancaster was working from seven PM until past midnight. Couldn't possibly have been at any hotel."
I stared at the screen. The data looked legitimate. Professional. Like someone had spent considerable time creating this false narrative.
"You doctored those records," I said.
Owen's eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. "Doctored? These come straight from the Ubereats database. Are you accusing me of corporate fraud now?"
"If the shoe fits."
Ethan's voice crackled through the speaker with amusement. "Noah, you're really digging yourself into a hole here. First you fabricate an affair. Now you're accusing Owen of falsifying company records?"
The Bennett family was watching this unfold like a tennis match. Uncle Victor whispered something to Aunt Margaret. She nodded grimly.
Old Mrs. Bennett's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Continue, Mr. Pierce. This is most illuminating."
"Well, Mrs. Bennett, there's actually more. Owen, would you mind reading Noah's customer ratings from last month?"
Owen scrolled through his phone theatrically. "Let's see... one star... one star... another one star..."
"What were the complaints?" Chloe asked sweetly.
"Oh, they're colorful. 'Rude and unprofessional.' 'Demanded excessive tip.' 'Made inappropriate comments about customer's wealth.'"
Each fake review was a nail in my coffin. I could see the Bennett family's disgust growing with every word.
"And the worst one?" Ethan prompted.
Owen cleared his throat dramatically. "'Arrogant delivery driver who thinks he's better than his customers. Showed up angry and entitled. Needs to learn his place.'"
The room erupted in murmurs of disapproval. Liam was practically bouncing with glee.
"There it is," he said. "The real Noah Lancaster. Angry at successful people because he can't hack it himself."
"That review is complete fiction."
"Really?" Old Mrs. Bennett's voice was arctic. "Because it sounds exactly like the behavior we've witnessed tonight. Breaking into our home. Attacking family members. Making wild accusations."
I looked around the room. Every face showed either disgust or pity. Even some of the staff were shaking their heads.
"Ethan," Chloe said into the phone, "I'm so sorry Noah dragged you into this mess."
"Don't worry about it, darling. I understand he's going through a difficult time. Losing your job, your wife, your dignity all at once... it can make a man desperate."
"I haven't lost anything yet."
"Haven't you?" Ethan's tone was almost gentle now. "Noah, everyone can see what's happening here. You're lashing out because your life is falling apart. But destroying other people won't fix your problems."
Old Mrs. Bennett nodded approvingly. "Very wise words, Mr. Pierce."
"Mrs. Bennett, if you need any documentation for legal proceedings, Pierce Industries is happy to cooperate. We have extensive records of Noah's employment issues."
"That won't be necessary. We can handle this matter internally."
I felt completely trapped. Every move I made only tightened the noose. Every word I spoke gave them more ammunition.
"You've orchestrated this entire thing," I said to Chloe.
She looked genuinely hurt. "Noah, why are you doing this to yourself? Just admit you made a mistake. Apologize. Maybe we can work something out."
"Work something out?"
"Family counseling. Anger management. There are programs for people with your... issues."
The condescension in her voice was suffocating. She was offering me charity. Pity. A path to crawl back begging for forgiveness.
"I don't need counseling. I need a divorce."
The words came out harder than I intended. Final. Irreversible.
Old Mrs. Bennett's cane hit the floor with a sharp crack. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I want a divorce."
Silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket. Even Ethan had gone quiet on the phone.
"After everything this family has done for you," Uncle Victor said slowly, "after all the chances we've given you, you have the audacity to make demands?"
"It's not a demand. It's a request."
"The hell it is," Liam spat. "You think you can waltz in here, attack me, insult our family, make up lies about Chloe, and then dictate terms?"
Old Mrs. Bennett was studying me with calculating eyes. "You want a divorce?"
"Yes."
"After three years of marriage to my granddaughter?"
"Yes."
A slow smile spread across her weathered face. "You know what, Noah? I think that's an excellent idea."
The room stirred with surprised murmurs.
"Mother," Uncle Victor started.
"No, Victor. The boy is absolutely right. This marriage has been a disaster from the beginning."
She stood slowly, using her cane for support. When she reached her full height, she commanded the room like a general addressing troops.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced. "Family and friends. You have all witnessed something extraordinary tonight."
Her voice grew stronger with each word.
"You have seen the true character of the man my late husband foolishly insisted we welcome into this family. The man who has spent three years living off our generosity while harboring resentment and spite."
The crowd was hanging on every word.
"You have heard him make false accusations against respected members of our community. You have seen him resort to violence against my grandson. You have watched him show nothing but contempt for the family that gave him everything."
I wanted to interrupt, but something told me to let her finish. To let her reveal exactly who she really was.
"My husband believed in second chances. In redemption. In the power of love to transform even the most unsuitable person." Her voice dripped with disdain. "He was wrong."
The cane tapped rhythmically as she paced.
"Some people simply cannot be elevated beyond their natural station. Some people will always resent those who try to help them. Some people," she looked directly at me, "are fundamentally incompatible with civilized society."
Uncle Victor was nodding approvingly. Aunt Margaret dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Therefore," Old Mrs. Bennett continued, her voice rising to fill every corner of the room, "I am prepared to grant Noah Lancaster exactly what he has asked for."
She paused for maximum dramatic effect.
"But not just a divorce. That would be too simple. Too clean."
The room held its breath.
"I hereby invoke my authority as matriarch of this family to formally nullify the marriage arrangement my late husband made. Not on grounds of mutual incompatibility. Not due to irreconcilable differences."
Her eyes blazed with triumph.
"I declare this marriage null and void due to Noah Lancaster's fundamental unworthiness to bear the Bennett name."
The crowd began to murmur with excitement.
"Furthermore, I am exercising my right as head of this household to permanently banish Noah Lancaster from these premises and from this family."
The murmurs grew louder.
"He will leave tonight with nothing but the clothes on his back. He will make no claims on family property. He will have no contact with any family member."
People were starting to smile. To nod. To approve.
"And finally," Old Mrs. Bennett raised her voice to override the growing celebration, "I declare that Noah will no longer be a live-in son-in-law of the Bennetts, and he will be kicked out of the Bennett Family with immediate effect!"