Chapter 21 - The First Investor
Margaret Sloan lived in a quiet estate outside the city.
Brooke was sitting in the library when Victoria arrived.
She appeared frightened but unharmed.
Margaret had helped her escape after learning that Grant intended to force Brooke into signing complete custody rights over to him.
“Why didn’t you contact the police?” Victoria asked.
“Because Grant has people inside the investigation,” Brooke replied.
Margaret poured tea as if the conversation involved nothing more serious than a business disagreement.
She had invested in Meridian when Victoria’s company consisted of six employees and one unfinished security platform.
Her money had allowed Victoria to hire engineers and enter the international market.
In exchange, Margaret received shares and limited veto rights.
Years later, she sold most of her interest.
But she kept one private agreement.
If Victoria ever endangered Meridian through personal misconduct, Margaret could appoint an independent controller.
Victoria had never signed such an agreement.
Margaret opened a cabinet and removed the original.
The signature appeared genuine.
“It was added to the investment package your attorney gave you,” Margaret said.
“I read every page.”
“Not this one.”
“Who gave it to you?”
Margaret looked toward Brooke.
“Julian.”
Brooke interrupted.
“Grant thinks Margaret controls the trust. Margaret thinks Julian controls Grant. But neither of them created the first document.”
She placed a flash drive on the table.
The files showed payments moving from Grant to Julian and from Julian to an unidentified account.
The account had existed since Meridian’s earliest year.
Its owner was listed only as Founder Two.
May you like
Victoria stared at the screen.
There had never been a second founder.
