Chapter 11 - THE FALL OF THE WHITFIELD EMPIRE
The investigation expanded.
Auditors identified suspicious property transfers.
Regulators examined financial disclosures.
Law enforcement reviewed communications connected to the warehouse fire.
Harrison Whitfield's business empire began to unravel.
The auction house's board suspended him.
Several investors withdrew.
Former employees came forward.
Preston tried to distance himself.
He claimed he had known nothing about his father's financial dealings.
But Camille remembered his confession.
He had admitted that Harrison encouraged him to pursue her because of her father's documents.
Her attorney arranged for a formal statement.
Preston testified.
He acknowledged that his father had asked him to learn what Camille knew about Étienne's research.
He insisted he had eventually fallen in love with her.
Camille listened.
She believed that he might have developed feelings.
But she also understood that love built on deception could not become trust simply because someone regretted being caught.
Afterward, Preston approached her outside the courthouse.
"Camille."
She stopped.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"I know."
He swallowed.
"Can you ever forgive me?"
Camille considered.
"Maybe someday."
His eyes filled.
"But forgiveness doesn't mean I want you back."
He nodded slowly.
"I understand."
She walked away.
For the first time, she felt no need to explain herself.
Months later, Harrison faced criminal charges connected to financial fraud and obstruction-related allegations.
The investigation into the warehouse fire continued.
The Whitfield family name, once spoken with admiration in New Orleans society, became associated with scandal.
But Camille did not celebrate.
She had lost too much for revenge to feel like victory.
What she wanted was simpler.
Truth.
May you like
Justice.
And a life that belonged to her.
