His career probably hangs on whatever marks were on the woman's neck.
She no doubt suffered huge regrets when she realized the multi-million dollar lifestyle she was easing into was about to vanish. She's probably saying it was all her fault now. And clearly Beard has a lawyer full of bluster and ********.
But if she had bruising or visible marks on her neck, he's a dead duck, as he should be. In a college town like Austin there is no way the cops try to underplay assaulting a woman. Not in today's world.
I didn't want to say it, but gotta believe it dawned on her that a rich Beard means a rich her and a broke Beard might mean the same.