Chapter 7 - The Unraveling
While Emily was healing, Evelyn and I were digging deeper into Julian and Eleanor's financial history. What we found was a web of corruption that went far beyond simple debt.
Julian hadn't just been gambling. He had been running a massive real estate Ponzi scheme, using the Bayside estate’s prestigious address and my family name to lure in wealthy investors from our hometown. He had promised them high returns on commercial properties that didn't exist, using the money to pay off his gambling debts and fund my mother’s lavish lifestyle.
And Eleanor had been his active partner.
"She signed off on three of the shell companies as a director," Evelyn said, showing me the corporate registration files in my office. "She knew exactly where the money was coming from, Claire. She knew Julian was stealing from her own friends to buy her those designer dresses."
"And Emily?" I asked.
"They tried to put Emily’s name on the tax shelter accounts," Evelyn said, her face grim. "If they had succeeded, Emily would have been the one facing federal prison charges when the scheme collapsed. That’s why they were trying so hard to get her to sign those documents."
A cold rage settled deep in my chest. "They were going to make her the scapegoat."
May you like
"Yes," Evelyn nodded. "But because you stepped in when you did, the paper trail stops with Julian and Eleanor. The district attorney is preparing the indictments today. They are looking at fifteen to twenty years in federal prison."
"Good," I said, looking out the window at the bustling city below. "Let them share a cell. They deserve each other."
