Chapter 13 - THE FALL OF CALLAWAY MERIDIAN
The federal investigation began.
Banks froze accounts.
Partners terminated contracts.
News helicopters circled the estate.
Every television station ran the same headline:
CALLAWAY EMPIRE FACES BILLIONS IN FRAUD INVESTIGATION.
Andre stood before reporters.
“My family has been accused of crimes spanning decades.”
He paused.
“I will cooperate fully.”
Then he said something nobody expected.
“I will not protect anyone because they share my last name.”
Inside the estate, Lorraine watched.
For the first time in her life, she looked old.
Camille entered.
Lorraine looked at her.
“You won.”
“No.”
Camille sat down.
“This isn't a victory.”
“You took everything.”
“No.”
Camille shook her head.
“You did.”
Lorraine's eyes filled.
“I was trying to preserve the family.”
“You preserved the name.”
Camille stood.
“But you destroyed the people.”
Lorraine whispered:
“Does Andre hate me?”
Camille looked at her.
“He loves you.”
Lorraine began to cry.
“That is worse.”
Meanwhile, Nathan discovered a final account.
A secret offshore payment.
The recipient wasn't Thomas.
It wasn't Lorraine.
It wasn't Martin.
It was someone named:
Evelyn Bennett.
Camille stared at the name.
“My mother.”
Nathan nodded.
“She isn't dead.”
Camille's heart stopped.
Her mother had supposedly died when Camille was seventeen.
But the account had received money every year.
For twenty years.
Camille whispered:
“My mother is alive.”
Andre stepped into the room.
He heard everything.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
A woman's voice said:
“Camille should have been told the truth years ago.”
Andre asked:
“Who is this?”
May you like
The woman replied:
“Her mother.”
