Chapter 7 - Mason’s Last Lie
Mason’s criminal investigation lasted longer.
He blamed Gavin.
Gavin blamed Mason.
Bridget blamed accountants.
Charlotte blamed Gavin.
Everyone suddenly discovered individuality when consequences arrived.
Forensic investigators found that Mason’s $213 million scheme had not all benefited Gavin.
That surprised me.
Approximately $74 million had been diverted primarily for Mason and Bridget.
Another portion covered business losses Gavin did not want disclosed before the Crestview deal.
Some funded executive perks.
Some went to shell-company investments.
Gavin knew about certain adjustments.
Not all of Mason’s theft.
That distinction mattered.
Truth is less satisfying than revenge because it refuses to make everyone equally guilty.
Mason had exploited Gavin’s obsession with the transaction.
Gavin tolerated opaque accounting because good numbers served him.
Mason used that tolerance to steal more.
One email summarized everything.
Gavin:
I don’t want details. Just keep the ratios inside Crestview requirements.
Mason:
Understood.
Gavin had not asked:
Is it legal?
Is it accurate?
He asked for the result.
Then later claimed ignorance of the method.
That ignorance was not innocence.
But neither was it authorship of every theft.
The board pursued restitution.
Insurers became involved.
Assets were frozen.
Bridget sold property.
Mason eventually pleaded guilty to financial crimes.
I never celebrated.
I remembered him in my house laughing while explaining fake debts.
Then I thought about how small he looked entering court.
Not because I pitied him.
Because power built on people’s fear evaporates quickly once nobody is afraid.
Charlotte moved to Denver after cooperating.
Before leaving, she emailed me.
I nearly deleted it.
Then opened.
I know I don’t deserve a response. I’m sorry I lied about the car. I’m sorry I stood there. I’m sorry I smiled. I wanted your place so badly that I stopped caring what happened to the person already standing in it.
I read that sentence twice.
Then:
Gavin didn’t make me do those things. He made his choices. I made mine.
That was the only apology from her I respected.
No excuse.
No competition.
No claim that she had secretly been another victim in exactly the same way.
I replied with one sentence.
I hope you become someone who never does that to another woman again.
Then blocked her.
Forgiveness was unnecessary.
May you like
Closure did not require friendship.
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