Chapter 14 - THE TRIAL OF CATHERINE DE VALMONT
Étienne Marchand had been Geneviève's trusted attorney.
He had also served as the original independent protector of the family settlement.
For years, Catherine had portrayed him as a loyal family adviser who died peacefully.
But Luc's final words changed everything.
Claire began examining Marchand's old records.
Within days, she discovered that several of his professional files had been transferred to a private archive after his death.
The archive was managed by a legal services company connected to Catherine.
Isabelle reviewed the financial records.
She found payments made to Marchand shortly before Geneviève died.
The amounts were substantial.
But one payment stood out.
It had been made two days after Geneviève's funeral.
The description read:
FINAL SETTLEMENT — MEDICAL CONSULTATION.
Claire contacted investigators.
The evidence was now too extensive to ignore.
Suspected forgery.
Financial fraud.
Coercion.
Misuse of corporate assets.
Potential unlawful confinement.
And questions surrounding Geneviève's death.
The authorities opened a formal investigation.
At the same time, Claire obtained an interim order preventing the disputed Aurelia shares from being transferred while the authenticity of the documents and the validity of the proposed restructuring were examined.
Catherine's plan began to collapse.
But she did not surrender.
Instead, she called a family meeting at the Valmont mansion.
Alexandre received the invitation.
So did Elodie.
The message contained only one sentence.
Come home if you want Henri to survive the week.
Elodie stared at the screen.
"She's threatening him."
Alexandre nodded.
"Yes."
Claire warned them not to go alone.
Investigators were notified.
A plan was arranged.
That evening, Elodie returned to the mansion where she had nearly been forced into marriage.
The chandeliers still glittered.
The marble floors still shone.
Everything looked exactly as it had before.
But she was no longer the frightened woman who had arrived hoping to save her family.
Catherine waited in the grand salon.
Henri sat in a wheelchair beside the fireplace.
Two nurses stood nearby.
Alexandre entered first.
Then Isabelle.
Then Marie.
Catherine's expression changed when she saw them.
"Isabelle."
Her daughter looked at her calmly.
"Hello, Mother."
Catherine's eyes moved to Marie.
"You should have stayed where you belonged."
Marie lifted her chin.
"I belong wherever I choose."
Catherine laughed.
"How inspiring."
Elodie stepped forward.
"It's over."
Catherine looked amused.
"Is it?"
"The forged marriage certificate has been challenged. The transfer is blocked. The investigators have the financial records."
Catherine's smile faded.
"Your father was a criminal."
"He admitted what he did."
"And now he's dead."
Elodie felt the words like a slap.
But she remained standing.
"Yes. And he died trying to tell the truth."
Catherine turned toward Alexandre.
"You brought them here?"
"I did."
"After everything I've given you?"
Alexandre looked at her.
"You gave me a childhood built on fear."
Catherine's face hardened.
"I made this family powerful."
"You made it afraid of you."
Henri suddenly spoke.
"Enough."
Everyone turned.
The elderly man raised his head.
His voice was weak.
But clear.
"Catherine, you have spent years speaking for me."
He looked at Elodie.
"Tonight, I will speak for myself."
Catherine approached him.
"Father, you're confused."
Henri shook his head.
"No."
He looked at Marie.
"I signed the authorization."
Marie closed her eyes.
Henri continued.
"Catherine told me you had become dangerous. She showed me medical reports. I believed her."
His voice broke.
"I should have asked questions."
Elodie stepped closer.
"Did you know I was your daughter?"
Henri nodded.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you come for me?"
Tears filled his eyes.
"Because I was a coward."
The room fell silent.
Henri looked at her.
"I cannot give you back the years I stole by doing nothing."
Elodie swallowed.
"No. You can't."
He nodded.
"But I can stop hiding."
Catherine moved toward the door.
Before she reached it, Claire entered with two investigators.
"Catherine de Valmont," one said, "we need to speak with you regarding several matters under investigation."
Catherine froze.
Then she turned toward Elodie.
"You think you've won?"
Elodie looked at her.
"I think the truth finally has a chance."
Catherine smiled coldly.
"You have no idea what you've started."
She reached into her handbag.
Alexandre moved instantly.
"Mother, don't!"
But Catherine was not reaching for a weapon.
She removed a sealed envelope.
Then she threw it at Elodie's feet.
"Read that before you celebrate."
Investigators escorted Catherine from the room.
Elodie picked up the envelope.
Inside was a document bearing Geneviève's signature.
A final amendment to the family settlement.
Claire examined it.
Her face drained of color.
"What is it?" Alexandre asked.
Claire looked at Elodie.
"If this document is authentic, the protected shares were never intended to pass to Catherine."
Elodie frowned.
"Then who?"
May you like
Claire swallowed.
"To you."
