Chapter 18 - THE FINAL ACCOUNT|
The twelve-million-dollar transfer was the missing piece.
Everett's records showed that the payment had been made shortly before the first Briarwood refinancing proposal. It had been described as a loan repayment, but the receiving company was controlled by Nathan.
The signature attributed to Beatrice was another reproduction of an old document.
Lydia reviewed the records with a forensic accountant.
"These transactions appear connected," she said. "But we need to avoid jumping to conclusions. The authorities will need to verify the source, destination, and authorization."
Camille nodded.
"Then give them everything."
Nathan was summoned for an interview.
Russell's company announced that it was suspending the acquisition.
The board placed Nathan on administrative leave.
And for the first time in months, the employees of Harrow Coast began receiving honest updates.
Camille visited each hotel that week.
She didn't promise that every property would survive. She didn't pretend the debt could disappear overnight.
Instead, she told the managers what she knew.
"We're reviewing every contract. We're protecting the employees first. And we're not selling anything until the ownership is clear."
At the first hotel, an elderly maintenance worker approached her.
"Your grandmother would be proud."
Camille smiled sadly.
"I hope so."
That evening, Everett invited her to dinner.
She almost refused.
Then she remembered the jacket he had placed around her shoulders at Briarwood House. He had asked before touching her. It was a small thing, but she had noticed.
They met at a quiet restaurant overlooking the harbor.
Everett did not bring lawyers or business proposals.
He asked about her grandmother.
He listened while Camille described the hotel, the old ledgers, and the employees who had kept the company alive.
When she finished, he said, "You don't have to carry all of this alone."
"I know."
"Do you?"
She looked at him.
"I'm learning."
He smiled faintly.
For a while, they talked about ordinary things.
Then Camille asked, "Why didn't you ever come after me?"
Everett considered the question.
"Because I thought respecting your decision meant accepting it."
"And now?"
"Now I know respect also means telling the truth, even when it's uncomfortable."
Camille looked down at her hands.
"I loved you."
"I loved you too."
"That doesn't mean we can go back."
"I don't want to go back. I want to see whether we can build something different."
She did not answer.
When dinner ended, Everett walked her to her car.
He did not ask to come home with her.
He did not ask for another chance.
He simply said goodnight.
Camille was halfway down the street when her phone rang.
Lydia.
"Camille, Nathan has made a deal with the authorities."
"What kind of deal?"
"He's agreed to provide evidence against Russell Briarwood."
Camille stopped walking.
"Why?"
"Because he says Russell was the one who planned the forged trust transfer."
Lydia paused.
"But Nathan has one condition."
May you like
"What?"
"He wants to speak to you alone."
