Chapter 21 - CAMILLE REALIZES DAMON WILL LET HER TAKE THE FALLDamon’s defense shifted.
CMB was Camille’s company.
Camille created invoices.
Camille received funds.
Damon:
“I relied on consultant and finance staff.”
Camille read through lawyer.
“He’s blaming me.”
Yes.
She had known possible.
But seeing filing changed.
He described her as independent contractor who “may have exceeded scope.”
The woman he married.
He prepared sacrifice.
Camille’s loyalty cracked completely.
She requested cooperation agreement.
Prosecutors cautious.
She had exposure.
To reduce, must tell truth corroborated.
Camille provided phone.
Deleted messages recovered.
Most damaging:
Damon:
If audit asks, Tessa initiated.
Camille:
That’s insane.
Damon:
She has access. She’s leaving anyway.
Camille:
You’re setting her up.
Damon:
I’m protecting company.
There.
Direct.
Camille did not stop.
Later:
If this blows up, I won’t lie.
Damon:
It won’t.
Then snow:
Damon instruct.
Stephen isolation:
Camille knew later and participated in keeping.
Gloria:
Camille told her Tessa theft proven, though she knew doubtful.
She admitted.
Why?
“I wanted Damon.”
“And lifestyle.”
“And I hated Tessa by then.”
Honest ugly.
Camille also gave message where Damon mocked:
She’ll never call Stephen. Pride is reliable.
Then when Tessa called:
Shit.
Proof.
Camille’s cooperation reduced but did not erase.
She faced fraud-related charge, restitution, probation/custodial? Outline expects consequences. Give maybe plea with 18 months custody or home? Since substantial. Let's later.
Tessa asked if meet Camille.
Rachel:
“Why?”
“I want hear.”
Eventually restorative deposition, not private.
Camille sat.
No smug smile.
“Tessa.”
Tessa:
“Did you know my father was trying contact?”
“Not at first.”
“Later yes.”
“Did you know money wasn’t mine?”
“I knew by time board accused.”
“And you said nothing.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Damon told you throw Ivy out?”
“Yes.”
“You did.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Camille cried.
“I thought if I refused, he’d choose you again.”
Tessa stared.
“That is insane.”
“I know.”
“You were already his wife.”
“I never felt secure.”
There.
People who gain relationship through betrayal fear betrayal.
Camille:
“He always talked about you as problem not gone.”
“Your father.”
“Your trust.”
“I thought until you disappeared, I wasn’t safe.”
Tessa:
“So you tried make me disappear.”
“Yes.”
No excuse.
Then:
“Gloria hated me too before I promised son.”
Tessa almost laughed.
Camille had also been manipulated by Gloria/Damon expectations.
Still choice.
She apologized for snow.
“That look on Ivy’s face… I think about it.”
Tessa:
“You should.”
Harsh but fair.
“I’m not giving you comfort.”
Camille nodded.
She cooperated further:
safe deposit documents.
Original letters Gloria stored?
Damon financial files.
Audio voice notes.
Her marriage to Damon dissolved quickly.
He called traitor.
Irony.
Camille realized same system.
Damon used people until liability.
She was not victim equal Tessa.
But experienced consequence.
Tessa could understand without absolve.
That complexity good.
Then Camille revealed one final detail:
Damon had planned to refinance mansion/holding rights using Calder waiver and use proceeds shore company.
If Tessa reconnected Stephen before transaction, impossible.
Snow removal/communication isolation urgent.
The phone call directly stopped closing next morning.
Stephen’s counsel sent notice at 8:07 a.m. prohibiting action without trust consent.
Damon lost.
So Gloria’s “nobody’s coming” was not just cruel.
May you like
Damon had built scheme assuming exactly that.
Camille’s cooperation proved.
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