Chapter 27 - the woman between two empires
Celeste Vane requested a meeting the following morning.
She chose a crowded hotel café, believing Malcolm’s security team would avoid a public confrontation. She wore a cream coat, dark glasses and none of the confidence she displayed at corporate events.
Nora sat opposite her without ordering anything.
“Elias said you would contact me.”
Celeste’s fingers tightened around her cup.
“Then he is alive.”
“You did not know?”
“He communicated through encrypted messages.”
“Yet you worked for him.”
“I worked against Gideon.”
Nora almost laughed.
“You slept with my husband, helped prepare my public removal and expected to become communications director.”
“I never claimed to be innocent.”
“Then do not waste my time asking to be treated like a hero.”
Celeste removed a folded sheet from her handbag.
It was the missing ledger page. The entry showed Gideon transferring the Northstar shares through three trustees.
The final trustee was Celeste’s late father.
“My father helped create Northstar,” she explained. “Gideon later destroyed him to ensure he could not reveal it.”
“Why become involved with Malcolm?”
“To get close to the company records.”
“You could have approached me.”
“Everyone described you as obedient, isolated and unwilling to challenge your husband. I believed them.”
Nora met her gaze.
“That was your first mistake.”
Celeste accepted the judgment.
“My second was believing Malcolm understood Gideon’s plan. Malcolm thinks he will control Vale Meridian after you are removed. He does not know Gideon intends to replace him six months later.”
“Can you prove that?”
Celeste placed a small phone on the table.
It contained recordings of Gideon discussing the transition with investors. He called Malcolm useful but weak. He called Nora the only dangerous member of the family.
“What do you want?” Nora asked.
“Protection from prosecution and enough time to leave the country.”
“I cannot promise immunity.”
“Then promise my testimony will be considered.”
Nora took the phone but left the ledger page on the table.
Celeste looked surprised.
“It may contain tracking material,” Nora said. “Grace will collect it properly.”
May you like
As Nora stood, Celeste whispered one final warning.
“Malcolm has a doctor prepared to testify that you have dementia.”
