Chapter 9 - THE EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING|
Daniel entered the Bennett Holdings boardroom believing he could still control the situation.
He wore a navy suit, carried a leather portfolio, and greeted the directors as though the previous week had been an unfortunate misunderstanding.
The chairman, Margaret Collins, did not return his smile.
"Mr. Bennett, we've received a formal request to preserve company records and review several disputed transfers."
Daniel sat down.
"That's an overreaction to incomplete information."
"Then you should welcome an independent audit."
He adjusted his cuff.
"Of course."
Margaret opened a folder.
"Why was a transfer authorization created using your wife's signature before she had received the final agreement?"
Daniel's expression remained carefully neutral.
"The document was a draft."
"Then why was it entered into the company's payment system?"
"I'll have to review that."
"Why did your former accountant resign?"
"Personal reasons."
"Why did your company pay expenses associated with Ms. Harrington?"
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Those were legitimate promotional expenses."
Margaret looked at him.
"An apartment lease and private jewelry purchases are promotional expenses?"
Several directors exchanged glances.
Daniel leaned forward.
"This meeting is becoming inappropriate. My marriage has nothing to do with company operations."
Margaret closed the folder.
"Then the financial records should be easy to explain."
The meeting continued for two hours.
Daniel answered questions, challenged assumptions, and accused unnamed employees of misunderstanding routine accounting procedures.
But the directors had already received the preliminary audit findings.
By the end of the meeting, they voted to suspend his authority to approve extraordinary transfers pending further review.
Daniel stared at the results.
"You can't do this."
"We can," Margaret replied. "The board has a fiduciary responsibility to the company and its shareholders."
"You'll destroy the business."
"No. We are attempting to protect it."
Daniel left the building through a private entrance.
Outside, reporters waited.
He refused to comment.
Across town, Sarah received a call from Evelyn explaining the board's decision.
"His transfer authority has been suspended," Evelyn said. "The audit is ongoing, and the company is preserving the relevant records."
Sarah exhaled slowly.
"Does that mean he can't move the money?"
"It means he has fewer opportunities to do so without scrutiny. We still need to establish what happened and pursue the appropriate remedies."
Sarah thanked her.
Then she sat beside the nursery window and watched the rain.
She had imagined that exposing Daniel would feel triumphant.
Instead, she felt exhausted.
Every document revealed another betrayal. Every answer created two new questions. And every time she looked at the tiny clothes folded in the nursery, she wondered how much of the coming months would be spent in lawyers' offices instead of preparing for her child.
Emily brought her tea.
"You don't have to solve everything today."
Sarah smiled faintly.
"I know."
"Then rest."
Sarah nodded, but her phone rang again.
This time it was Daniel.
She almost ignored the call.
Then she answered.
His voice sounded unlike anything she'd heard before.
"Sarah, I need your help."
She closed her eyes.
"What happened?"
"They found something in the audit."
"What?"
He swallowed.
"Someone has been moving money out of the company for years."
"Who?"
May you like
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel whispered, "My father."
