Chapter 8 - WHY CELESTE NEEDED MONEY
The trust audit uncovered the motive beneath the motive.
Celeste was broke.
Not publicly.
On paper, she still looked wealthy.
Luxury condo.
Country club.
European travel.
Designer wardrobe.
Privately:
$3.9 million in debt.
A failed resort investment.
Two personal guarantees.
Tax liabilities.
A loan against her condo.
Doyle Capital had almost no clients.
The Ashcroft trust was supposed to become the client that saved her.
Evelyn sat with the forensic accountant.
“So she was going to bill my trust until her debts disappeared.”
“Essentially.”
“Why not ask me for help?”
Mara answered before the accountant could.
“Because asking means admitting you have less power than the person you ask.”
Evelyn looked away.
May you like
That sounded like Celeste.
Pride made expensive problems lethal.
