Chapter 10 - THE FORTY-EIGHT-HOUR DEADLINEAt 6:00 p.m., Julian's attorneys delivered a formal notice to Corrigan Health Systems.
The company had forty-eight hours to provide the financial disclosures required under the debt agreements and explain the suspected covenant violations.
The notice did not automatically transfer ownership of the business. It did, however, trigger a series of contractual remedies that could restrict financing, accelerate certain obligations, and force negotiations with creditors.
For Miles, the distinction was academic.
His personal guarantees were tied to several corporate obligations. His compensation depended on the company's performance. His reputation depended on convincing investors that the scandal was temporary.
Every hour made those tasks harder.
At home, he found Bianca waiting in the living room.
She had removed the photographs of their engagement from the mantel.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I still have a key."
"Not for much longer."
She looked at him with disgust.
"You said you were going to explain everything."
"I don't owe you an explanation."
"You owe me the truth."
He laughed.
"The truth? You stood in a ballroom and humiliated a woman because you thought she couldn't defend herself. You didn't care about the truth then."
Bianca flinched.
"Don't pretend this is about Iris."
"It's about everything."
She took a step closer.
"Did you steal the charity money?"
Miles looked away.
"Some of the transfers were temporary."
"How much?"
He said nothing.
Bianca's voice broke.
"How much, Miles?"
"Millions."
She covered her mouth.
For several seconds, she seemed unable to breathe.
Then she whispered, "Children were waiting for treatment."
"Don't lecture me."
"You told me the company was successful because you were brilliant."
"I built the company."
"And then you used it to fund your lifestyle."
He grabbed a glass from the table and threw it against the fireplace.
Bianca recoiled.
"Get out."
She stared at him.
"Gladly."
She walked toward the door, then turned back.
"I hope you remember the ballroom. I hope you remember every person who laughed. Because when you need someone to stand beside you, you'll discover how quickly powerful people become invisible."
She left.
Miles stood alone in the enormous house.
For the first time, the silence felt less like luxury and more like punishment.
At midnight, his attorneys called with the results of their preliminary review.
The financial records were worse than expected. Several accounts contained transfers that could not be reconciled with the company's books. A vendor had been paid for medical equipment that had never been delivered.
The board was considering notifying regulators.
Miles paced across the study.
"Can we negotiate with Vance?"
"We can request a meeting."
"Then arrange it."
"His attorneys have indicated that the investigation cannot be suspended."
"Offer him the company."
There was a pause.
"That would require board approval."
"Then offer him the assets."
"Some assets may be restricted by the debt agreements."
Miles slammed the phone onto his desk.
The clock on the wall moved toward 2:00 a.m.
Thirty-six hours remained.
A notification appeared on his laptop.
An encrypted message from the account that had warned him about Iris.
You need to stop Vance before he finds the second ledger.
Miles typed quickly.
Who are you?
The reply arrived almost immediately.
Someone who can still save you.
A second message followed.
Meet me tomorrow. Bring the original authorization files. Come alone.
Miles stared at the screen.
He knew better than to trust anonymous messages.
But he knew something else.
If the second ledger existed, it might contain the one piece of evidence capable of changing the entire investigation.
He closed the laptop.
May you like
For the first time in forty-eight hours, Miles believed he had a chance.
He did not yet understand that someone had deliberately given him hope.
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