He quickly checks his phone. “It is. But she can wait.” He dips his head again, and I rest my fingers against his mouth, stopping his descent.
“This is a big moment for your family,” I remind him, my voice low. “Some of the best news you’ve received in a long time. You should talk to her, Connor. Celebrate with her.”
“You’re right.” He presses his forehead against mine and stares into my eyes. “Always right.”
“I’ll never let you forget you said that.” I poke him lightly in the chest, making him chuckle. “Text me later?”
“Absolutely.” He kisses me one last time and pulls away, walking backward for a few steps, like he can’t bear to tear his gaze from me. Then he flashes me a dopey, downright lovesick grin and turns, heading for the stairs.
I watch him go, marveling at how light he seems. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever get to experience that feeling. Will I find resolution for my family and justice for Isla? I hope so.
Once I unlock the door, I’m relieved to find my room empty. I collapse on top of my bed with my phone and go straight to Google, searching for the article. It pops up immediately, like the Internet can’t wait to tell me what I want to know.
LUMATEG LUMINARY ARREST SHOCKS CITY
Juno Siegel, The London Ledger
LONDON – In a shocking development that has rattled the city’s investment community, William Pembroke, long-time lead portfolio manager for private equity fund Lumateg Group, was arrested late last night on multiple counts of embezzlement, according to officials familiar with the case.
Pembroke, 46, has been widely regarded as the architect of Lumateg’s sustained success over the past decade. The boutique asset management firm, famously founded in 2006 by inherited wealth from Pembroke’s society marriage, has weathered market shocks and sector downturns with what many analysts have described as ‘remarkable resilience’—a resilience frequently attributed to Pembroke’s leadership and investment strategy.
That narrative was thrown into disarray on Tuesday when investigators confirmed that Pembroke is alleged to have siphoned off company and client funds over several years, using complex internal transfers and offshore structures to conceal the activity.
The arrest comes mere months after senior analyst Jonathan Wells was detained on similar charges. At the time, Wells’s arrest raised questions about oversight within the firm but was widely viewed as the possible work of a single rogue employee.
However, sources close to the investigation have now revealed that Wells had in fact been working in conjunction with the National Crime Agency (NCA), acting as a critical set piece in an elaborate sting operation to uncover what is being described as a ‘broader and more sophisticated scheme’ allegedly orchestrated by Pembroke.
Internal documents obtained byThe London Ledgerappear to indicate reckless spending in Pembroke’s personal portfolio. The records, which span the last three years, show that Pembroke made a series of substantial real estate acquisitions that seem incongruous with his disclosed compensation and declared assets.
Among the purchases are several high-value commercial properties in London’s financial district and midtown Manhattan, along with a luxury bungalow on Laucala Island in Fiji, a private resort enclave known for its multimillion-dollar villas andstrict confidentiality provisions for buyers. Property filings reviewed by this reporter indicate that the Laucala bungalow was acquired through a layered network of holding companies and trusts, obscuring the ultimate beneficial owner.
The Lumateg Group issued a brief statement immediately after the arrest, confirming Pembroke has been suspended from all duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
The headline has it right—this really is a shocking development. But what piques my interest isn’t the way Freddie’s dad defrauded the investors who put their trust and wealth in his hands. No, the detail rocking my world right now is way more basic.
WilliamPembroke. Is this the same William that Headmaster Harrington was arguing with on the phone?
My guess is a resounding yes.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The news of William Pembroke’s arrest has spread all over campus by the next morning. Everyone seems to be talking about it. In the dining hall and in classrooms. In the admin office and outside in the quad, where students hang out between classes. The name Pembroke is on everyone’s lips, though Freddie is nowhere to be found, and I can’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to show my face around here, either.
And while yes, it’s huge, what happened to William Pembroke, I can’t help but get stuck on all the newsIuncovered over the last twenty-four hours or so. Priya is a pill-popping, test-selling, anxiety-addled mess of an overachiever. Abigail would do anything for love, but a murder charge would separate her from Priya—a huge risk I suspect she wouldn’t be willing to take. Julian’s love for Isla is so all-consuming, he literally can’t stop himself from referencing Shakespeare when he talks about their relationship. And the ultimate discovery: Connor’s dad was innocent of the embezzlement charges all along.
What does any of this mean for Emily and Isla? Time is running out. It’s Wednesday. My sister will be formally charged for Emily Wells’s murder by the end of the day on Friday. I’m fairly certain I know whodidn’thurt the girls, but I’m not any closer to figuring out who is responsible, and I’m frustrated.
So frustrated that I break down and contact Peter Vale. I need to know if his beef withcertain peopleis a strong enough reason for them to have hurt Isla, as a way of getting at Peter.
When I pull up our text thread, the last message about reading the dossier feels like it was from another lifetime. How is it possible that little more than a week has passed since then?
Me:
Did you really try to convince people that Mr. Ashworth was having an affair?
