When the Vicomtess entered the room Oliver took a step backwards, retreating further into the shadows between two rails of costumes. He hadn't been privvy to all of the Comte's plans, as far as he was aware their purpose had been to bring Destler to justice. He had been told that once the notorious criminal- who happened to be one of the most wanted men in France - was arrested, he and Poole would be able to collect the award from the French authorities and recieve an additional tidy-sum from the de Chagny's for their services.

When Meg had told him of her affair with Destler he had been heartbroken and confused. Erik Destler was an acquaintance of Meg's mother; he seemed younger, but was still much older than Meg. He was also hideous. Oliver couldn't understand how any woman could lie with such a man, but once he met the Comte de Chagny it all made sense.

Phillippe de Chagny had told Oliver how Destler had seduced his sister-in-law, bringing shame onto his family and dishonouring his brother. He explained how Destler would lure women to his bed with hypnotism woven into his music, and that he used the same method to make is work critical acclaimed and well recieved. The image of a recluse was a charade, designed to distract men from his real intention of seducing their wives and fiancées. He was a cad if the worst sort.

Upon hearing the explanation Oliver clung to the belief that Meg was a victim of Destler's manipulation and had eagerly agreed to help the Comte and his private investigator bring the man to justice. Knowing the curcumstances of Meg's sullying made it easier to forgive her. He was certain that once she was aware of Destler's actions, including seducing her married friend, she would forgive Oliver for his role in the plot. He would then use the reward and the payment from the Comte to provide Meg with the life she deserved.

As he stood in the shadows he surveyed the situation unfolding in front of him. It was clear that everyone else in the room, including Poole, knew more about what was occuring than he did. He didn't know his co-conspirators planned on making Destler sign a confession admitting the Vicomtess' infidelity, not did he know that Meg was going to be bound and face the possibility of goal. The younger gentleman, who he assumed was the Vicomte due to the resemblance to the Comte and Doweger Comtess de Chagny, looked at the Comte with pure unadulterated hatred, which only intensified when his wife had spoken.

Oliver could see that whatever plan the Comte and Doweger Comtess had - if the younger de Chagny brother had anything to do with it- it was going to go very very wrong.

He reached into his jacket pocket and ran his fingers over the contents - his insurance was still there.

--xxx--

Phillippe couldn't hide his elation when Christine declared she would sign the confession. He knew his mother felt the same way as she tightly squeezed his foreman with excitement as her daughter-in-law spoke.

Although the entire affair had taken longer than he had planned, their family was finally going to be rid of the Daae girl and her negative influence on his brother. Once their marriage was annulled he could match Raoul with a suitable wife from their own social class. It wasn't that Phillippe was adverse to Raoul seeing the soprano as he had been continuing an affair with La Sorelli for years, it was that Raoul had married the woman rather than keeping her as a mistress.

He understood Christine's appeal; she was beautiful - breath-takingly so, kind, compassionate and had an enchanting voice. She would have made an excellent mistress, but not a wife. There would have been no shame in Raoul keeping Christine as his mistress, as long as he was discreet, but marrying the woman had caused headlines in the Parisian press and it was well-known the Vicomtess had some kind of relationship with the Opera Ghost. The papers had never directly stated that Christine and the Phantom had been engaged in illicit rendevouz, but it was well known among the patrons and company she had spent time alone with him in his lair, and the implication of such behaviour was clear.

The first stage of Phillppe's plan had been to convince Richard Firmin to join in his endeavour. The man's greed and general stupidity had been easily enough to manipulate; the only obstacle was Gilles André, but as he was also facing fiancial ruin he had diligently followed his buisness partner's lead - blissfully unaware that Phillippe was the one behind the entire escapade. It had been Phillippe who had planted the idea that Destler, Christine and Meg would generate gossip and ergo money - recalling the revenue created by La Carlotta's resignation and Christine's sudden departure at the Populaire.

He also knew that his brother's infatuation with Christine knew no bounds and that he would eventually defy the family and allow her to perform. He had been surprised by the length of Raoul's resolve and how long it had taken for him to finally disobey his family, but it didn't matter because he had played his role and Destler had come to England and been meeting the Vicomtess in private.

Then there had been Marguerite Giry. His spies had told him of the blossoming relationship between the dancer and Opera Ghost, and Firmin had been happy to encourage a triangle amoureux to further stir-up drama in hope of festering more gossip. That had been the easiest part of all; he knew show-people liked to gossip and Madomsille Giry's friendship with both men provided the perfect opportunity. A well placed whisper here, an off-handed comment there, and the ball was set in motion: Meg Giry was becoming ostracised by her peers due to their belief she was seducing her way to the top.

With Giry spending time alone it had been easy to lure her to the prop room, a simple note from her past fiancé was all it had taken. Oliver was a foolish boy in love with a women who no longer loved him, and if she did that love did not surpass her alliegence to the Opera Ghost. Phillippe found the boy's foolishness highly amusing, finding it hard to believe that Oliver thought that Meg Giry would welcome him with open arms once Destler was on goal due to his new found wealth; it was laughable as regardless of what the company believed, Meg Giry was not a social climber or loose woman.

Phillippe was satisfied with how the events had unfolded. He had successfully lured Destler to face justice, Christine Daae would soon sign away her title and gained wealth, and he had tricked Nadir Khan and Antionette Giry to travel to England so they could also face justice. Soon everyone who wronged his family and dragged their name through the dirt would be in goal.

--xxxx--

Meg's knees and muscles were starting to ache from kneeling for too long, so she sat back in her heels hoping to stretch out her ankles.

She was willing to go to goal to protect Christine. The Comte and his mother were awful people, and she was fully aware of the turmoil the matriarch had put Christine through. Christine deserved better, and as long as Raoul was willing then she deserved to be free from the de Chagny's. She may have been resentful of Christine's success and spending more time in the shadows now they shared the stage once more, but she didn't want her to be unhappy.

She watched Erik's expression move from one of horror at the prospect of making a decision that would disadvantage one of the two the women, to one of shock when Christine had spoken.

"No", Meg asserted, using he theatrical training to project her voice, "do not sacrifice your happiness for me!"

"Happiness?", the Vicomtess turned to face her friend. "Does this look like happiness? Do you think I am happy being subjected to such ill treatment by my husband family?"

"Lotte", Raoul pled taking her hand to try and prevent her from approaching both Meg and Erik. "I know it isn't true"

Meg's mouth dropped when Christine's hand made contact with Raoul's cheek, the sound reverberating through the silent room. Her friend's eyes were alight with an unseen passion,

"How dare you!", Christine shouted at her husband, "how dare you say such things! Of course it isn't true. Do you think I would lie to you about such things? Do you think that is what this is about? I am admitting it so that I no longer have to be subjected to your family".

Meg's heart sank a little, she didn't want Christine to sacrifice her happiness for her, but she had hoped that sje had played a small part in her decision, afterall, she would happily face a goal term to keep her safe and happy.

"I would always choose you Lotte", Raoul stated gripping both of his wife's hands tightly. "Even if you sign it then I chose you. To Hell with the consequences!"

Christine felt her anger start to dissipate slightly as she saw her husband's resolve in his eyes. The moment was sharply broken by a gunshot reverbervating through the room.