Marcus nodded slowly.

He understood.

They had encountered prejudice before.

At restaurants.

In hotels.

At official functions where people assumed Renee was an assistant rather than Marcus’s wife.

But this was different.

This had happened at their own front door.

Renee looked toward him.

“I don’t want our lives to become about your rank.”

Marcus smiled gently.

“Neither do I.”

She took his hand.

“I just want us to live here.”

He squeezed her fingers.

“Then that’s what we’re going to do.”

But both knew the incident could not simply be forgotten.

Chapter 11: The HOA President’s Other Problem

Courtney Brandt believed the matter would disappear once the police left.

She had embarrassed Renee.

But now that the truth was known, she expected everyone to move on.

Unfortunately, Magnolia Court was smaller than she imagined.

Walter had spoken to neighbors.

Several residents had witnessed parts of the encounter.

And the association’s board members were already receiving questions.

One board member, Patricia Monroe, contacted Courtney that evening.

“Courtney, did you call the police on the new homeowners?”

Courtney sighed.

“I reported suspicious activity.”

“Did you know they had purchased the house?”

“No.”

“Did you ask the real estate agent?”

“No.”

“Did you verify anything before calling your husband?”

Courtney became irritated.

“Patricia, I’m the HOA president. I have a responsibility to protect the neighborhood.”

Patricia paused.

“You have a responsibility to follow the association’s rules.”

Courtney said nothing.

Patricia continued.

“You don’t have authority to decide whether someone can buy a house because you didn’t receive advance notice.”

Courtney’s face flushed.

“You’re taking their side?”

“I’m asking whether you acted appropriately.”

The conversation ended badly.

But Patricia didn’t stop there.

She began reviewing the association’s records.

And she discovered something unusual.

For several months, Courtney had been sending warning letters to new homeowners claiming that the HOA required a special move-in approval fee.

The letters were not part of the association’s approved fee schedule.

Some residents had paid.