Chapter 3 - THE SECRET SHE NEVER TOLD HIM
Andre walked out.
Camille followed.
They reached the library before he finally turned.
“How much?”
“Nearly four hundred million.”
“And you never told me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn't want your money.”
Andre laughed bitterly.
“You think that's the part I'm angry about?”
“I don't know what you're angry about.”
“You made me believe I knew you.”
“You do know me.”
“No. I knew the woman who made coffee in our kitchen. I knew the woman who remembered my father's birthday. I knew the woman who sat beside me when I couldn't sleep.”
His voice cracked.
“But apparently you were also a billionaire.”
“Not anymore.”
“What?”
“I gave most of it away.”
Andre stared.
“To charity?”
“Employees. Retirement funds. Scholarships. Small-business grants.”
“Why?”
“Because the company belonged to thousands of people before it belonged to me.”
Andre looked down.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“Of what money does to people.”
His eyes lifted.
“And you thought I was one of those people?”
“No.”
She took a breath.
“I thought your family was.”
The door opened.
Lorraine stood there.
“Enough.”
Andre turned.
“You humiliated my wife.”
“I exposed a lie.”
“You exposed something she didn't owe you.”
Lorraine's voice hardened.
“She deceived you.”
Andre stepped closer.
“No. You did.”
Lorraine froze.
“What?”
“You knew about the shell companies.”
Her expression changed.
Camille watched carefully.
Andre continued.
“Camille found them.”
Lorraine's face went pale.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You do.”
“I built this family.”
“You nearly destroyed it.”
For the first time, Lorraine looked afraid.
But only for a second.
Then she smiled.
“You really believe your wife?”
Andre answered immediately.
“Yes.”
Lorraine stared at him.
Then she walked away.
Camille exhaled.
Andre turned toward her.
“I need the documents.”
She handed him the folder.
He opened it.
The first page showed payments.
The second showed signatures.
The third showed a company called Whitestone Holdings.
Andre frowned.
“Whitestone?”
Camille nodded.
“Look at the registered address.”
He did.
His expression changed.
“That's my mother's office.”
Camille said nothing.
Andre turned another page.
Then another.
At the bottom of one document was a signature.
His father's.
Andre whispered:
“My father.”
Camille nodded.
“This started before he died.”
The room became silent.
Andre stared at the papers.
Then he noticed something Camille hadn't mentioned.
A transfer made three days after his father's funeral.
Forty-two million dollars.
Destination:
Whitestone Holdings.
Authorized by:
Lorraine Callaway.
Andre closed his eyes.
“My mother stole from my father.”
Camille shook her head.
“Maybe.”
He looked at her.
“Maybe?”
“There's more.”
She removed another envelope.
“This came from your father's private attorney.”
Andre opened it.
Inside was one sentence.
If Lorraine ever attempts to remove my son from control of Callaway Meridian, release the attached file.
Andre stared.
“What file?”
Camille looked toward the locked cabinet in the corner.
“I think your father left you an inheritance.”
“Money?”
“No.”
May you like
“Then what?”
“Proof.”
