
Little did he know that Courtney is maybe even more twisted than richard

I wouldn't say she's more twisted than Richard because she's still capable of managing relationships with other people, nor does she threaten violence on others. She only actually does BDSM things on Richard and also, I guess, had to whip her family into shape. If she was more (or even as) twisted than Richard, she would also be making the lives of the people at the estate a living hell like Richard is.
Telling the truth was SO MUCH EASIER