Chapter 2: Every Diamond Had a Witness
Detectives entered the ballroom before anyone could leave.
No uniforms.
Dark suits.
Quiet confidence.
One approached August while another walked directly toward Julian.
"Mr. Whitmore?"
Julian straightened.
"I think this can wait."
"It can't."
The detective produced a warrant.
"We're investigating insurance fraud, identity fraud, unlawful removal of protected property, and financial crimes involving the Eleanor Ashford Foundation."
Every trustee turned toward Julian.
One of them slowly stood.
"What financial crimes?"
Madeline finally answered.
"For eight months..."
She placed a flash drive beside August's documents.
"...foundation grants were routed through shell charities."
Julian laughed nervously.
"Ridiculous."
Evelyn Brooks stepped forward carrying another case.
"Not according to the bank records."
One screen inside the ballroom came to life.
Then another.
Foundation accounting files appeared before every guest.
Wire transfers.
Luxury hotel invoices.
Private jet receipts.
Consulting payments.
Each one ended in companies owned by Celeste.
Her smile disappeared.
"I didn't know."
Julian snapped toward her.
"Don't say another word."
She froze.
The detective calmly interrupted.
"You probably shouldn't tell witnesses what to say."
Around the ballroom, board members whispered furiously.
One elderly donor removed his foundation pin.
Another quietly walked away from Julian without saying a word.
May you like
Years of carefully built prestige collapsed...
one document at a time.
