Chapter 6 - The Secret Hidden Behind the Zurich Deal|
Claire was making breakfast with her mother when Rachel called.
"Don't panic," Rachel said immediately.
Claire closed her eyes.
"That is never a comforting way to start a conversation."
"I need you to come to my office."
"Why?"
"There's a report circulating about the Whitmore-Cole Foundation."
Claire's stomach tightened.
"What kind of report?"
"Financial misconduct allegations."
Claire set down her coffee mug.
"What?"
Rachel continued carefully.
"Someone leaked documents suggesting the foundation transferred money to companies connected to Adrian's Zurich acquisition."
Claire stared.
"That's impossible."
"We don't know what's accurate yet."
"I never authorized anything like that."
"I know."
Claire's hands began trembling.
"But your name appears on several documents."
Silence.
Then Rachel said:
"Claire, I need you to bring every foundation paper you've ever signed."
An hour later, Claire sat in Rachel's office surrounded by files.
Rebecca Lawson, a forensic accountant, reviewed the records.
Claire watched her examine a signature.
Then another.
Finally, Rebecca looked up.
"These documents are concerning."
Claire swallowed.
"Why?"
"Several transactions appear to have been approved using your electronic authorization."
Claire stared.
"I didn't approve them."
Rebecca nodded.
"Then we need to determine how your credentials were used."
Rachel leaned forward.
"Claire, did Adrian ever ask you to sign documents without reviewing them?"
Claire hesitated.
"Yes."
Her friend's expression tightened.
"How often?"
"Sometimes. He said they were routine."
Rachel closed her eyes.
"Claire."
"I trusted him."
Rebecca spoke gently.
"Trusting your fiancé isn't evidence that you knowingly approved improper transactions. We need the audit history."
Claire nodded.
But shame burned in her chest.
For four years, she'd defended Adrian.
Excused him.
Believed him.
And now her name might be connected to financial decisions she knew nothing about.
She looked at Rachel.
"Could I get in trouble?"
Rachel answered carefully.
"Potentially, yes. That's why we're investigating and preserving everything."
Claire felt sick.
Across the city, Adrian stood in his office while Daniel reviewed the leaked records.
Natalie sat near the window.
Her expression was pale.
"The numbers don't match," Daniel said.
Adrian frowned.
"Explain."
"Several transfers supposedly came from the foundation, but the receiving accounts don't match our approved acquisition structure."
Adrian stared.
"Who authorized them?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Claire's credentials."
Adrian went cold.
"No."
Natalie looked up.
"The board records show her approval."
Adrian shook his head.
"Claire doesn't handle financial transactions."
Daniel nodded.
"That's why it's suspicious."
Adrian turned toward Natalie.
"Who had access to the foundation's administrative system?"
Natalie looked away.
"Several people."
"Names."
"Claire. You. The finance department. The foundation administrator."
"And you?"
Natalie hesitated.
"I had limited access."
Adrian studied her.
Something about her answer felt wrong.
He remembered Geneva.
The hotel.
The acquisition meetings.
Natalie insisting he extend the trip.
The foundation paperwork she'd brought him to sign.
He'd barely looked at it.
Just as Claire had barely looked at documents he gave her.
His chest tightened.
"Natalie."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Who prepared the foundation authorizations last month?"
A pause.
"I believe the finance department."
"Which employee?"
"I'd have to check."
Adrian stared.
"Then check."
Natalie's face hardened.
"You're acting like you think I did something wrong."
"I'm asking questions."
She folded her arms.
"Because Claire left you?"
Adrian's expression changed.
"Don't bring Claire into this."
Natalie laughed bitterly.
"She's already involved. Her name is all over those records."
Adrian stepped toward the desk.
"Then we're going to find out why."
He called Daniel.
"Bring in an independent forensic team. Preserve the original records and access logs. I want outside counsel involved."
Daniel nodded.
"And Zurich?"
Adrian looked toward the windows.
For years, he'd sacrificed everything for deals like this.
Now the deal itself was threatening Claire.
"Put it on hold until we understand the exposure."
Natalie stood abruptly.
"You can't do that!"
Adrian turned.
"Why?"
"Because you'll lose the acquisition!"
"Then I'll lose it."
Natalie stared as though he'd gone insane.
Adrian continued:
"I'm not risking Claire's reputation to protect a deal I don't fully understand."
Silence.
For the first time, Natalie looked frightened.
That evening, Claire received a package at Diane's house.
No return address.
Inside was a flash drive and a handwritten note.
Before you blame Adrian, look at what Natalie did in Geneva.
Claire stared.
She immediately called Rachel.
Together, they arranged for a digital-forensics specialist to examine the drive safely.
The next morning, they viewed the recovered recording.
It showed a private conference room in Geneva.
Natalie sat across from an older man Claire didn't recognize.
The audio was faint but clear enough.
The man spoke first.
"Adrian will never agree if he knows what you're doing."
Natalie smiled.
"He doesn't have to."
Claire felt cold.
The man continued.
"And the foundation?"
Natalie leaned forward.
"Claire Whitmore signs whatever Adrian puts in front of her."
Claire's breath caught.
Natalie smiled again.
"Once the money moves, she'll be the one explaining the paperwork."
Rachel paused the video.
Claire stared at the screen.
Her relationship hadn't simply been failing.
May you like
Someone had been studying its weaknesses.
And Natalie had known exactly how to use them.
