Chapter 25 - Valeria comes out
Valeria served the custodial portion and began probation.
She moved into a smaller apartment.
Her consulting company remained open under another manager.
Foundation work gone.
Some social clients returned.
People have short memories when money and charm are involved.
She did not contact me.
Good.
Then a civil claim remained:
She sought compensation for unpaid services allegedly provided to the Drake family personally during Celeste’s illness and after death.
At first I was furious.
Then accountants reviewed.
Some claims had merit.
Valeria had paid:
Emergency event deposits.
Travel costs.
Temporary staff.
Flowers for one memorial.
Personal expenses advanced during Celeste’s final months.
Total documented:
$61,400.
Our household had reimbursed only:
$29,700.
Why not pay remainder?
Administrative failure during grief.
I owed:
$31,700.
Her attorneys added hundreds of thousands in “family-hosting value.”
Unsupported.
We settled:
$38,000 including some disputed incidentals.
Why pay someone who lied?
Because legitimate debt remains legitimate.
May you like
The settlement included mutual release of remaining personal-service claims.
That closed the financial relationship.
