Chapter 6 - THE MONEY TRAIL
The money had moved through six consulting contracts.
Each contract had been approved under the European expansion budget.
On paper, the funds paid for market research, luxury branding, architectural studies, and regional licensing.
In reality, four of the consulting firms had no employees.
One was registered to a mailbox in Nevada.
Another was owned by Vanessa’s brother.
The final company led to a private account in the Cayman Islands.
Marcus projected the transactions onto the boardroom screen.
Julian’s signature appeared on every approval.
He stood so quickly that his chair struck the wall.
“I authorized legitimate expenses.”
Marcus enlarged one payment.
“Seven million dollars to Cole Strategic Development.”
Julian glanced toward the door.
“Vanessa handled the consultants.”
“You approved the payment.”
“She gave me the supporting documents.”
“Documents created two days after the transfer.”
Julian looked at me.
“You think I stole from you?”
“I think someone stole from the company.”
“And you want everyone to believe it was me.”
“I want the records examined.”
Vanessa began pounding on the boardroom door.
“Julian, let me in.”
Celia opened it.
Vanessa stepped inside without permission.
She had removed my coat, but the emerald pendant still hung around her neck.
She pointed at Marcus.
“This is a setup.”
Marcus folded his arms.
“Did your brother receive seven million dollars?”
“He is a consultant.”
“In what field?”
“International development.”
“His tax records identify him as a personal fitness instructor.”
Vanessa’s face flushed.
“That information is private.”
“Not when his company receives resort funds.”
Julian turned toward her.
“You told me Cole Strategic employed a team in London.”
“They do.”
“Where are the employees?”
“They’re contractors.”
“Give me one name.”
Vanessa hesitated.
That hesitation changed the room.
Julian stepped closer to her.
“What did you do?”
Vanessa looked around the table.
“Elena is trying to destroy us.”
“No one asked about Elena.”
Julian’s voice dropped.
“I asked what you did.”
Vanessa removed the pendant and placed it on the table.
“I only followed your plan.”
“My plan?”
“You said the European money had to be moved before Elena discovered the restructuring.”
The directors became silent.
Julian’s face lost its color.
“Stop talking.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Now you want me to stop?”
“You misunderstood our conversations.”
“You told me we would create a new company after the divorce.”
Julian reached for her arm.
Celia stepped between them.
“Do not touch her.”
Vanessa pointed at Julian.
“He said Elena was emotionally unstable.”
“He said once she was removed, the board would approve the transfer of the brand into a new corporation.”
Julian looked toward the board.
“She’s lying.”
Vanessa continued.
“He promised me twenty percent.”
Marcus checked another document.
“A draft corporation named Hart Cole International was registered three weeks ago.”
The screen changed.
The registration included two directors.
Julian Hart.
Vanessa Cole.
I had expected betrayal.
I had not expected a plan to steal the brand itself.
Julian turned toward me.
“Elena, listen to me.”
I picked up my grandmother’s pendant.
“You had nine years to speak honestly.”
“This is not what it looks like.”
“It looks like you tried to take a company you never owned.”
My father closed the portfolio.
“And now we determine how far you were willing to go.”
At that moment, Naomi called from the lobby.
May you like
Someone had broken into the penthouse.
The security cameras showed Julian’s personal attorney carrying boxes toward the service elevator.
