Chapter 17 - THE NIGHT SHE WALKED AWAY|
Camille stared at the photograph.
Everett's expression changed when he saw it.
"Where did you find this?" he asked.
Elaine approached.
"In Nathan's locked desk. I found a key in his study after he left this morning."
Camille took the photograph.
The three men stood outside the Harrow Coast Hotel in Charleston. Everett looked younger, though not by much. Nathan was smiling. Russell had one hand on Everett's shoulder.
"Why were you there?" Camille asked.
Everett did not answer immediately.
"I was investigating a potential acquisition."
"Of Harrow Coast?"
"Yes."
Camille felt her chest tighten.
"Before we broke up?"
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"You told me you weren't interested in buying my family's company."
"I told you I wasn't going to make an offer without speaking to you."
"That isn't what I asked."
Everett's jaw tightened.
"I had concerns about the company's finances. I was trying to determine whether I could protect the hotels from a distressed sale."
"Did you speak to my father?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell him about us?"
"No."
"Did you tell him you loved me?"
Everett looked directly at her.
"Yes."
Camille felt the old hurt rise.
"What did he say?"
"He told me you would never choose a man who tried to control your life. He said if I wanted to prove I loved you, I should stay out of the company's business."
"And you believed him?"
"I believed that you deserved the right to decide."
"So you walked away."
"I thought giving you space was the only way not to pressure you."
"You could have told me."
"You're right."
The answer was immediate.
No excuse. No attempt to make himself the victim.
Camille looked down at the photograph.
"Did you know about the Briarwood agreement?"
"Not at first. I discovered the false trust transfer after our relationship ended."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried to contact you. You had blocked my number."
She remembered.
She had blocked him after the last argument because hearing his voice made her question her own decision.
Everett continued.
"I should have found another way to reach you. I didn't. I regret that."
Elaine looked between them.
"I think you both deserve a chance to speak privately."
Camille shook her head.
"Not today."
Everett nodded.
"Whenever you're ready."
Her mother handed her the envelope.
"There was another paper with the photograph."
Camille opened it.
It was a handwritten note from Nathan.
If Kane becomes involved, make sure Camille never learns why he was really at the hotel.
Camille looked at Everett.
"Why was that meeting so important?"
Everett hesitated.
"Because I discovered that your father had been diverting company money into a private account. I confronted him. He told me he would correct it."
"And you believed him?"
"I wanted to."
Camille's eyes narrowed.
"Did you have evidence?"
Everett nodded.
"I still do."
He reached into his coat and removed a sealed envelope.
Inside was a document showing a payment from Harrow Coast to a company owned by Nathan.
The amount was twelve million dollars.
May you like
But the signature authorizing the transfer was not Nathan's.
It belonged to Beatrice.
