The audio wasn’t perfect.
But the physical sequence was clear.
The police obtained the relevant footage through the proper process, along with witness statements and records documenting Ivy’s injury.
Senator Whitmore provided an account of what she had seen. Her grandson’s recollection helped clarify why Ivy had intervened during the soup accident, although nobody expected a child to resolve the legal questions.
Two security guards also gave statements.
Neither could explain away the fact that they’d watched an employee being threatened with another blow.
Their employer opened a separate review of how they had handled the incident.
Ivy provided the messages showing that she’d previously reported Vivienne’s treatment of the staff.
Several other employees came forward.
Their complaints involved insults, threats of dismissal, and humiliating instructions made during event preparations.
None had previously resulted in meaningful action.
Ronan received the findings of an independent workplace review several weeks later.
The problem was larger than a single violent evening.
Household managers had repeatedly treated Vivienne’s demands as instructions carrying the authority of the Blackwood family.
Staff had learned that complaints disappeared into administrative folders while the woman they complained about continued planning their schedules.
Ronan met with the employees without Vivienne or the former household manager present.
Ivy attended with her attorney’s knowledge, though she was still on medical leave.
He apologized for the way the household had handled their concerns and outlined changes to reporting procedures, managerial responsibilities, and security responses.
Then he asked whether anyone wanted to speak.
Ivy raised her hand.
“Mr. Blackwood, who will be responsible for making sure these changes actually happen?”
He looked at her.
“An independent employment adviser will review their implementation.”
“And if someone reports a problem with a powerful guest?”
“They’ll be able to report it outside the household management chain.”
She nodded.
“Then please make sure everyone knows how.”
Ronan agreed.
After the meeting, he approached her.
“Ms. Lancaster, I’d like you to remain with us when you’re ready to return. We can discuss a different role with better pay and more responsibility.”
