Chapter 8 - The Woman Named Celeste
C was Celeste Cole.
Derek’s mother.
Sarah had spoken to her only twice during the marriage.
Derek said Celeste lived in Florida and wanted no involvement with the family.
That was another lie.
Celeste lived forty minutes away.
She controlled the bank account receiving foundation transfers.
Leah had not seen her mother in six years.
“She told us she left because Dad was abusive,” Leah said.
“Derek said she emptied the accounts and disappeared.”
Derek interrupted.
“She did.”
Leah held up the second phone.
“Then why are you sending her money?”
Messages revealed a partnership.
Celeste created fake scholarship applicants.
Derek approved them.
Payments entered accounts they controlled.
Some money funded Derek’s gaming business.
Some paid Celeste’s debts.
Some went to a property in North Carolina.
Frank looked at the total.
More than six hundred thousand dollars.
Donations made in Michael Vance’s name.
Money intended for children who had lost parents in service.
Sarah covered her mouth.
“You used Michael.”
Derek’s voice became defensive.
“The foundation was barely doing anything.”
“It sent children to college.”
“It had excess capital.”
“That was not yours.”
“I was going to return it after the business succeeded.”
Leah laughed bitterly.
“The business closed eight months ago.”
Sarah remembered Derek telling her he still went to an office.
He had spent every day pretending.
Playing games.
May you like
Ordering her around.
Moving stolen money from the sofa.
