By evening, the second article dropped.
Sources close to Vale Capital confirmed an internal investigation into alleged misuse of corporate funds, unauthorized asset pledges, and suspicious payments to consultant Celeste Monroe.
By midnight, investors were demanding answers.
By morning, Adrian’s board suspended him pending review.
Celeste vanished.
Not metaphorically.
Actually vanished.
She checked out of the hotel at 3:18 a.m., left through the service entrance wearing sunglasses and a scarf, and entered a black SUV registered to a shell company.
But she left something behind.
A gift.
It arrived at Ashford House in a white box tied with black ribbon.
Security intercepted it before it reached the main door. The bomb squad was called. Nothing explosive was found. No powder. No wires. No poison.
Only a baby rattle.
Silver.
Antique.
Engraved with the Ashford crest.
My mother saw it and went pale.
I had never seen Vivienne Ashford go pale.
