Elaine continued.
"You told us the pool was private. You provided the documents. We should've dealt with the problem before people were injured."
Anthony took a slow breath.
"I appreciate that."
She sounded tired.
"I thought Victoria would listen once the rules were clarified."
"So did I."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Anthony asked something that surprised her.
"How are the guests?"
Elaine paused.
"Most are recovering well, from what I've been told."
He nodded.
"Good."
She sounded surprised.
"After everything that happened, you're still worried about them?"
Anthony looked toward the pool.
"They were in my backyard. I didn't invite them, but I still don't want anybody hurt."
Elaine was silent.
Then answered softly.
"Your grandfather must've raised you well."
Anthony smiled sadly.
"He did."
The special homeowners' meeting took place six weeks after the pool incident.
More than a hundred residents attended.
The clubhouse was crowded with folding chairs, bottled water, and stacks of documents prepared by the association's attorney.
Victoria arrived wearing a pale-pink tailored suit.
Her blonde hair was styled carefully.
Her makeup was flawless.
But she looked exhausted.
The angry skin patches had largely improved, though faint marks remained visible near her upper arms.
Douglas sat beside her.
For once, he didn't appear amused by the situation.
Elaine opened the meeting by explaining that the association needed to address serious concerns about governance, financial oversight, and unauthorized use of private property.
She emphasized that the board wasn't conducting a criminal trial.
Its responsibilities involved association management, the president's position, and future procedures.
The attorney explained the voting rules under the governing documents.
Then the independent reviewer summarized the relevant findings.
The association hadn't owned Anthony's pool.
No valid general recreational easement had been established.
The board hadn't approved the disputed event.
And the purported access agreement lacked reliable evidence of the homeowner's authorization.
The financial review also identified event-related transactions requiring correction and further examination.
Several homeowners appeared shocked.
Others had already heard portions of the findings.
But hearing them presented together changed the atmosphere.
For months, Victoria had described the dispute as an unreasonable young homeowner refusing to support his neighbors.
Now the records showed a substantially different story.
A homeowner had repeatedly said no.
The president had continued offering access.
And the resulting event had ended with frightened guests, medical assessments, and a police investigation.
Victoria was given an opportunity to respond.
She stood behind the microphone, gripping the edge of the podium.