Chapter 5 - The Mistress in the Penthouse
While the board meeting collapsed under federal seizure, Julian’s secret mistress, Camille Laurent, was frantically packing designer luggage.
Inside the private five-million-dollar penthouse Julian had purchased with embezzled Vance funds, Camille threw diamond necklaces into leather bags.
She had watched the live news broadcast showing federal agents raiding Sterling Tower and knew her time was running out.
Her private jet to Monaco was scheduled to depart from O’Hare International Airport in less than two hours.
She grabbed her passport and the encrypted USB drive Julian had given her for emergency offshore liquidation.
As Camille opened the penthouse front door to make her escape, she found two federal marshals standing in the entryway.
Standing between the marshals was my trusted legal associate, Elena Hayes, holding a civil asset forfeiture warrant.
“Miss Laurent, where are you going in such a rush with Mrs. Sterling’s heirloom jewelry?” Elena asked with a chilling smile.
Camille clutched her crocodile-skin handbag against her chest, her eyes darting around the hallway for an escape route.
“These are personal gifts from Julian! You have no right to touch my belongings!” Camille screamed with hysterical fury.
“Julian bought every item in this penthouse using funds laundered from the Vance Pension Trust,” Elena replied calmly.
The marshals stepped inside, confiscating the luggage, the designer bags, and the encrypted USB drive from Camille’s hands.
Elena pulled out an official federal restraining order and handed it to the disgraced socialite.
“The accounts in Monaco were frozen by Interpol twenty minutes ago, Camille,” Elena whispered with devastating precision.
“Your name is listed as a primary co-conspirator on three counts of interstate money laundering and wire fraud.”
Camille sank down onto the velvet settee in the foyer, her diamond earrings shaking as she burst into uncontrollable tears.
“Julian told me Valerie was a weak, submissive fool who would never notice the missing millions!” Camille sobbed.
Elena adjusted her coat, looking down at the mistress with pure disdain.
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“Valerie noticed every single penny, Camille.”
“She was just waiting for you to pack your bags so she could seize your passport at the door.”
