Chapter 17 - THE LAST ATTEMPT TO SILENCE HER|
The attempted transfer was stopped for review after the institution identified inconsistencies in the authorization.
Investigators were notified, and the transaction records were preserved.
Claire learned about it from Rebecca.
“Did Richard use my name again?”
“The transfer reference mentions your company. We don't yet know whether the instruction came directly from Richard or someone acting on his behalf.”
Claire felt the familiar anger return.
“How many times does someone have to use my identity before the system stops treating me like a convenient signature?”
Rebecca remained calm.
“We have made progress. Your company has stronger controls, the disputed documents are under review, and the institutions are aware that the authorizations may be fraudulent.”
“I know.”
“Then don't let the latest attempt make you careless.”
Claire took a breath.
“You're right.”
She reported the incident through the proper channels and continued cooperating with the investigation.
Roman's team also tightened its internal controls. No one could approve payments connected to the disputed redevelopment account without independent verification.
The company would not rely on a single signature, an informal instruction, or a trusted person's word.
It was a simple change.
It was also the kind of change that might have prevented the entire crisis.
Two days later, Richard's attorney contacted Rebecca.
Richard was willing to provide additional records in exchange for a negotiated resolution of certain financial claims.
Rebecca rejected any proposal that required Claire to waive her rights or make statements she could not support.
“If he has evidence, he can provide it through the proper process,” she told Claire. “We won't bargain away your reputation.”
Claire agreed.
Meanwhile, Madeline Voss had been cooperating with investigators through her own attorney. She provided copies of the documents she had signed and confirmed that Ethan had described Northstar as a routine consulting company.
Her testimony did not establish that she had known about the forged guarantee.
It did, however, clarify how the company had been presented to people around Ethan.
Madeline requested a meeting with Claire.
They met in Rebecca's office.
Madeline looked nervous.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.”
“Then why did you ask to meet?”
“Because I need to apologize for what I did at the gala.”
Claire waited.
Madeline looked down.
“I laughed when Ethan hit you. I didn't stop him. I told myself you deserved it because I was jealous of you.”
Her voice broke.
“I knew he could be cruel. I thought I was different because he had chosen me.”
Claire studied her.
“Were you?”
Madeline shook her head.
“No. I was just the person he hadn't disappointed yet.”
For a moment, Claire felt an unexpected sadness.
Madeline had participated in the humiliation, but she had also been drawn into a relationship built on the belief that admiration was the same as respect.
That did not excuse her behavior.
It explained why she had tolerated it.
“I won't pretend we're friends,” Claire said. “But I appreciate you telling the truth.”
Madeline nodded.
“That's fair.”
Before leaving, she handed Rebecca a small envelope containing the original Northstar paperwork she had retained.
One document was especially important.
It showed that Richard Hale had instructed Madeline to sign as an authorized representative weeks before Ethan proposed to her.
The date contradicted Ethan's claim that Northstar had been created only to address a sudden financial problem.
Madeline looked at Claire.
“I think he chose me because he believed I would never ask questions.”
Claire remembered the email.
The owner will not challenge the paperwork while Crowe is still involved.
She understood.
Everyone in the arrangement had been selected according to what someone believed they could be persuaded to ignore.
The next morning, Richard Hale's attorney confirmed that his client would provide the original accounting ledger.
But there was a condition.
May you like
Richard wanted to meet Roman Vale in person.
And he insisted that Claire attend.
