Chapter 17 - CELESTE’S VISITOR
Prison records showed that Lydia Crane had visited Celeste seven times during the year before the trial.
Each visit took place under a different surname.
The identification documents were false, but security footage confirmed her face.
Elena and Brianna met Naomi outside the prison.
“You are not required to speak with Celeste,” Naomi said.
Brianna looked toward the concrete building.
“She knows what Lydia wants.”
“She may lie.”
“She always lies,” Brianna replied. “Sometimes the lie still tells you where the truth is.”
Celeste entered the visitation room wearing a plain uniform.
Her silver hair remained perfectly arranged.
She looked at Brianna first.
“So the obedient daughter finally came.”
Brianna sat across from her.
“Lydia is framing me.”
Celeste’s expression did not change.
“Then perhaps you should have chosen your allies more carefully.”
“You stole my trust.”
“I preserved the family.”
“You used my future to cover Daniel’s crimes.”
Celeste leaned closer to the glass.
“Daniel was trying to save what your grandfather built.”
“No. He was trying to save the appearance of it.”
For the first time, Celeste’s composure weakened.
Elena stepped forward.
“What does Lydia want?”
Celeste looked at her with open hatred.
“You took my son, my home, and my name.”
“Your choices did that.”
“You still think this story belongs to you.”
“It belongs to every person you stole from.”
Celeste smiled.
“Then ask your precious prosecutor why Victor Hale was allowed to hide the second ledger.”
Naomi, watching from behind the glass, immediately contacted her office.
Elena remained with Celeste.
“Where is it?”
“Lydia has it.”
“What is inside?”
“Insurance.”
“Against whom?”
“Everyone.”
Brianna placed both hands on the table.
“Did Lydia create the sixth account?”
Celeste’s eyes shifted toward her daughter.
“No. Your grandfather did.”
Brianna froze.
Celeste explained that Edmund Mercer had created the offshore foundation decades earlier to conceal money from creditors and tax authorities.
After his death, Celeste and Lydia gained control.
Victor later used the account to hide profits from Westbridge.
Daniel believed the account belonged to Lydia alone.
“He never knew where all the money came from,” Celeste said. “He was never as clever as he imagined.”
“Why frame Brianna?” Elena asked.
“Because Lydia needs a Mercer signature to release the funds.”
“She forged it.”
“The bank rejected the transfer. It requires physical verification from a family beneficiary.”
Brianna understood.
“The meeting at the estate was meant to get me in front of a notary.”
Celeste’s smile returned.
“And now Lydia will find another way.”
As the guard approached, Celeste lifted the telephone one final time.
“She does not need your cooperation, Brianna.”
May you like
“Why not?”
“She only needs the world to believe you gave it.”
