Chapter 12 - The Aunt Who Wanted the Crown|
Eleanor Sterling had been her father's older sister.
She had spent decades serving on the company's board, but she resigned after a bitter disagreement about expansion plans. Victoria remembered her as a woman who wore tailored suits, spoke carefully, and never forgot an insult.
After Victoria's father died, Eleanor had offered to help manage the company.
Victoria had declined.
At the time, she believed her aunt wanted control.
Now she wondered whether that instinct had been correct.
The outside auditor traced the consulting company to a holding firm connected to Eleanor's private investment portfolio. The payments had passed through several accounts before reaching her.
But the evidence did not establish whether Eleanor had directed the payroll manipulation or simply profited from the arrangement.
Victoria called her.
Eleanor answered on the second ring.
"Victoria. I was wondering when you would contact me."
"Did you own the consulting company?"
A pause.
"I have investments in many businesses."
"Did you know it was billing the Sterling Grand for work it never performed?"
"I understand you're upset, but you must be careful about making accusations."
"Then answer the question."
Eleanor sighed.
"Your father always encouraged your temper. He believed it made you strong."
"My father believed people deserved honest answers."
"Your father was sentimental. He built a company that needed a more disciplined hand."
Victoria tightened her grip on the phone.
"Did you falsify his signature?"
"I did not forge anything."
"Then why did the company claim he personally guaranteed the contracts?"
"Because he had agreed in principle to the arrangement."
"Where is the written approval?"
Eleanor said nothing.
Victoria ended the call.
Daniel arranged a formal interview through the company's attorneys. Eleanor agreed to attend, but she arrived with her own lawyer and refused to answer several questions.
She admitted that she had invested in the consulting company. She denied knowing that it had issued false invoices.
However, bank records showed that she had received regular distributions from the company while the hotel was reporting staffing shortages.
The board placed her under review and suspended her voting rights on matters related to the investigation.
Eleanor responded by contacting several shareholders and claiming that Victoria was too emotional to lead the business.
She described Victoria's visit to the hotel as an impulsive stunt that had endangered the company's reputation.
Some shareholders agreed.
Others demanded evidence.
Victoria realized that the investigation was no longer only about Richard. It was about whether she could protect the company from people who believed ownership meant permission to do whatever they wanted.
She asked Noah to meet her in the hotel garden.
"I need your opinion," she said.
"That sounds dangerous."
"I'm serious."
He smiled, then listened as she explained Eleanor's involvement and the growing pressure from the board.
When she finished, he asked one question.
"What outcome do you want?"
"I want the employees to be paid what they earned. I want the fraudulent contracts canceled. I want the company to operate honestly."
"Then focus on that."
"What about my aunt?"
"If she broke the law, let the evidence decide what happens. You don't have to defeat her personally. You have to make sure the company doesn't depend on one person's goodwill."
Victoria considered his words.
"You're very good at making complicated things sound obvious."
"I'm good at explaining things I don't have to pay for."
She laughed.
For the first time in days, the tension eased.
Then Noah's expression became serious.
"There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Richard contacted Denise. He told her that if she continued cooperating with the investigation, he'd make sure no hotel in New York hired her."
Victoria stood immediately.
"Did she record the conversation?"
"No. But she has the message he sent afterward."
Noah showed her the screenshot.
Richard had written:
You should think carefully about who you trust. People who challenge management tend to find that opportunities disappear.
Victoria stared at the words.
"He's threatening a witness."
Noah nodded.
"And I think he's about to do something worse."
A second message appeared on his phone.
May you like
It was from Maria.
Richard is back at the hotel. He's inside the records office, and he's taking files.
