Chapter 7 - Veronica’s Version
I did not attend Veronica’s proffer.
Victims do not sit at cooperation interviews because they are curious.
My lawyer later summarized what could be shared.
Veronica admitted Adrian approached her four days before gala.
He said an “outside investigator” had been inserted into guest list to embarrass Pacific Royal Foundation and disrupt a pending philanthropic partnership.
He told her:
Elena Carter was a consultant working for “hostile people.”
She might carry a black Compass Rose card.
If so, Veronica should get it.
“How?” prosecutors asked.
“Persuasion. Social pressure. Security.”
“What were you paid for?”
“Reputation management.”
$150,000.
Absurd.
Veronica had accepted because her own finances were worse than public image suggested.
Her divorce settlement had shrunk.
Two bad investments.
A Malibu mortgage.
She needed cash.
Adrian promised another $250,000 after gala if Elena left quietly and no foundation records were exposed.
“What did Colin Mercer say?”
Veronica claimed she never spoke directly with Colin.
Only Adrian.
Bank records supported direct payment from Crescent, but she could plausibly not know beneficial owner.
“Did Adrian tell you to push Elena overboard?”
“No.”
“Did anyone?”
“No.”
“Why did you?”
Veronica reportedly cried.
Then:
“She made me look stupid.”
There.
The real motive for assault.
Not grand conspiracy.
Humiliation.
She tried to take purse.
Miles refused.
Guests watched.
I told her not to touch me.
She lost control.
She shoved.
Did she understand I could drown?
“Yes.”
Did she intend death?
“I didn’t think.”
Not same as no.
Prosecutors retained serious assault charges.
Attempted murder remained uncertain.
I preferred truth.
Veronica also admitted Adrian told her my guest-list entry had been “handled.”
He said if security challenged me, she should describe me as an intruder.
That explained her confidence.
Then something unexpected.
Veronica said:
“Adrian was scared of somebody else.”
“Who?”
“A woman named Celeste.”
I frowned when told.
No Celeste had appeared anywhere.
Who was she?
Tessa knew.
Celeste Warren, forty six, chair of the Pacific Royal Foundation audit committee.
A wealthy donor.
Former federal prosecutor.
She had been pushing for independent review of Mariner Crown for six months.
Adrian stonewalled.
Why had Celeste not contacted authorities?
She lacked evidence beyond irregular invoicing.
She planned to confront board after gala.
Was she on guest list?
Yes.
Did she attend?
No.
Why?
She was hospitalized the morning of gala after a car accident.
My mind immediately went dark.
Nathan stopped me.
“No.”
“What?”
“Do not invent.”
Right.
Police report showed ordinary rear-end collision.
Other driver remained at scene.
No evidence sabotage.
Celeste broke wrist, missed gala.
Coincidence.
After months of deception, everything started looking connected.
We had to resist.
Celeste met us later.
She confirmed suspicions about Mariner Crown.
Adrian told board invoices were proprietary because yacht owner insisted.
False.
Nathan’s family office never imposed such secrecy.
Celeste had requested beneficial ownership.
Adrian refused.
Then she received anonymous email warning:
Stop digging into vendors if you care about foundation.
She saved it.
Source unknown.
Could be Adrian.
Could be Colin.
Investigators handled.
Celeste also explained why gala mattered.
Annual report was due January 15.
If she could not certify controls, major donors might suspend funds.
Adrian needed clean gala and clean board minutes.
Tessa inviting outside consultant threatened that.
So he removed me.
Paid Veronica.
Tried to seize card.
A simple fraud network turned into intimidation because audit pressure increased.
Then Nathan’s board made its decision.
The BlueCurrent acquisition was suspended.
Not canceled yet.
Shareholders furious.
Sellers threatened lawsuit.
Carter Meridian stock in private secondary markets dropped.
News called it “Carter crisis.”
Colin’s betrayal was no longer just personal.
Thousands of employees depended on how Nathan handled it.
May you like
He could not burn an empire.
He had to save one.
