Chapter 4 — Every Lie Comes Due
Chapter 4 — Every Lie Comes Due
The investigation moved faster than Nathan imagined.
The encrypted recordings from my pendant became the centerpiece of the case.
Every lash.
Every threat.
Every confession.
Every laugh.
Every word had been authenticated.
The shell companies Celeste controlled were traced across three countries.
The fake invoices matched millions of dollars that had quietly disappeared from Ashford Global.
Members of the board who once praised Nathan now testified against him.
His closest executives accepted immunity in exchange for evidence.
Within forty-eight hours...
Ashford Global's stock collapsed.
Investors fled.
Banks canceled every line of credit.
The company that Nathan had worshipped more than his marriage ceased to exist.
Celeste attempted to leave the country using a private jet.
She was arrested before takeoff.
Nathan requested to see me one final time.
Against everyone's advice...
I agreed.
He sat behind reinforced glass wearing a prison uniform.
"I loved you."
I met his eyes.
"No."
"You loved what you thought I couldn't survive without."
He lowered his head.
"I made one mistake."
I shook mine.
"No."
May you like
"You made thousands."
"The lashes were simply the first time everyone else saw them."
