Chapter 8 - THE MISTRESS WHO LOST HER PROTECTION
Sloane's situation deteriorated quickly.
Callum ended their relationship.
Her consulting contract was suspended.
And the financial investigation began examining payments to companies connected to her.
At first, she was furious.
She called Callum repeatedly.
Sent messages.
Threatened to speak publicly.
Then her attorney explained the seriousness of the situation.
The records suggested she had received substantial payments from entities connected to the Bellwether project.
Investigators would need to determine whether those payments were legitimate.
Sloane insisted she had done nothing wrong.
But when asked for documentation supporting the consulting fees, she struggled to provide it.
Victor Halden stopped returning her calls.
The man who had promised her wealth and security disappeared from her life the moment the deal began unraveling.
One afternoon, Sloane arrived at Eleanor's house.
She stood outside the gate.
Gideon answered through the intercom.
“What do you want?”
“I need to speak to Rosalind.”
“No.”
“Please.”
Gideon hesitated.
Then said:
“Any legal matters go through counsel.”
Sloane's voice shook.
“It's not about the money.”
He remained silent.
She continued.
“I need to apologize.”
Rosalind was in the garden when Gideon told her.
She considered.
Then said:
“Not today.”
Sloane left.
That evening, Rosalind received a handwritten letter.
It was from Sloane.
The letter was brief.
I was cruel to you.
I believed things Callum told me, but that does not excuse what I did.
I had no right to touch you.
I am sorry.
Rosalind read it.
Then placed it in a drawer.
She did not respond.
May you like
Forgiveness was not a debt Sloane could demand.
And Rosalind was not ready to offer it.
