Chapter 6 - The title she invented
Valeria’s business cards did not say:
Mrs. Drake.
They said:
Valeria Sloane, Family Hospitality Director
That role did not exist.
Not formally.
The foundation had:
Executive director.
Events director.
Development director.
No Family Hospitality Director.
Who created the title?
Valeria’s own consulting firm.
She used it in correspondence with:
Luxury hotels.
Sponsors.
Design houses.
A jewelry company.
Two wine sponsors.
A private jet charter company.
What authority did she claim?
Not ownership.
Not legal control.
Access.
Representation.
She wrote:
I handle public hospitality on behalf of the Drake family following Celeste’s wishes.
Following wishes.
Broad enough to sound sentimental.
Specific enough to make vendors stop asking questions.
Then money.
Her consulting company received legitimate foundation fees:
$180,000 annually.
High.
But approved.
Then personal appearance and hosting fees from outside brands:
Approximately $327,000 over fourteen months.
Some contracts described her as:
Drake family representative.
Others:
Foundation hospitality partner.
Did the foundation receive any of that money?
No.
Was that automatically theft?
No.
If a company hired Valeria personally because of her own social profile, she could be paid.
The issue was whether she falsely represented authority.
Then one contract with Bellarose Jewelry.
Valeria promised:
Access to “Drake family heritage pieces” for a private editorial event.
Which pieces?
Not specified.
Another email:
The Celeste ring will be part of the continuity story.
My wife’s ring.
May you like
A continuity story.
My stomach turned.
