Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO OWNED HER SECRETSGavin did not merely manage gambling access.
Years earlier, he had helped Celeste store encrypted files.
He claimed he did not know what they were initially.
Then he learned.
Instead of reporting—
he copied them.
“Why?”
Adrian asked.
Gavin answered without shame.
“Insurance.”
Of course.
A blackmailer’s blackmailer.
Celeste owed him.
If she disappeared or refused payment, he wanted leverage.
“How many copies?”
“Enough.”
“Where?”
Gavin’s attorney interrupted.
“We are negotiating surrender.”
Authorities were already involved.
Gavin wanted reduced exposure for cooperation.
Adrian disliked him immediately.
But his records were valuable.
He had ledgers showing Celeste’s payments.
Losses.
Extortion income.
Transfers.
Charity withdrawals.
And names of people who had paid.
Six confirmed.
Three more suspected.
The total amount Celeste extracted over four years exceeded eleven million dollars.
She gambled away most.
Adrian stared.
Eleven million acquired through fear—
then lost chasing more.
That was addiction mixed with entitlement.
Gavin explained psychology.
“She never thought she was broke.”
“What do you mean?”
“She thought money was temporarily somewhere else.”
“If she lost five million, she’d say she was five million away from getting even.”
“She never reduced life.”
“Only increased next win.”
That fit.
When extortion money arrived, she did not pay debts responsibly.
She returned to tables.
Because paying debt felt like admitting loss.
Winning felt like erasing it.
Then Adrian asked:
“Why me?”
Gavin leaned back.
“You were not supposed to be another payment.”
“What was I?”
“The exit.”
Celeste planned to marry Adrian.
Stabilize lifestyle.
Use marriage to restore status.
Not necessarily steal fortune directly.
Adrian’s wealth would pay for the life she refused to surrender.
Her debts would remain hidden.
Her family name repaired socially.
She could stop blackmailing.
At least that was what she told Gavin.
“She said after wedding she was done.”
Adrian laughed coldly.
“Did you believe?”
“No.”
“Neither did she.”
Then Gavin produced message:
Celeste:
Once I’m Mrs. Vale, no more scrambling.
Gavin:
Prenup?
Celeste:
I’ll handle Adrian.
Another:
The boy is the only complication.
Adrian went still.
“What does that mean?”
Gavin shrugged.
“I asked.”
“What did she say?”
Gavin showed.
Celeste:
Everything in that house revolves around Noah. Adrian thinks that’s noble. It’s exhausting.
Then:
Once we’re married, that changes.
Adrian’s hands tightened.
This was not about hurting Noah for inheritance.
It was resentment.
Noah was center.
Celeste wanted center.
She planned to reorganize family after wedding.
Maya had been obstacle.
Audrey obstacle.
Noah himself—
an obstacle emotionally.
That explained cruelty.
Not excuse.
Then Gavin said:
“She also found out something about the trust.”
Adrian looked up.
“What?”
“Most of what you own is protected for your son.”
Celeste had learned.
May you like
And according to Gavin—
that was the day she started calling Noah “the little prince” with contempt.
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