Chapter 8 - Daniel's Real Target
Federal investigators joined the case.
The diamond transactions crossed borders.
So did the shell companies.
Daniel's network extended through Portugal, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United States.
But money wasn't his only target.
Control of Whitmore Fine Holdings gave access to something more valuable.
A proprietary sourcing network.
My family had long-term contracts with ethically certified mines and specialty gem suppliers.
Aurelius Crown wanted those contracts.
Daniel had promised them to investors.
He had already taken hundreds of millions in commitments based on acquiring Whitmore.
If the takeover failed, Daniel's entire financial structure could collapse.
Friday hadn't been a deadline because of my birthday alone.
It was a deadline because Daniel owed investors proof of control by Monday.
I finally understood his desperation.
He didn't return because he missed me.
He returned because he was running out of time.
Then investigators intercepted a message.
Daniel to Celeste:
May you like
IF EMMA WON'T SIGN, ELEANOR BECOMES THE LEVER.
My mother disappeared that afternoon.
