Chapter 4 - The Former CFO
Ethan Blake had spent three years trying to forget Carter National Logistics.
He had failed.
He knew too much.
That was the problem.
He knew which acquisitions were legitimate.
Which ones had been rushed.
Which financial reports had been altered.
Which executives had been protected.
And most importantly, he knew Daniel had not built the company alone.
When Ethan entered Mark's office, he carried a battered leather case.
He looked exhausted.
Emily recognized him immediately.
“Ethan.”
He nodded.
“Emily.”
“What happened?”
He looked at Mark.
“Are we secure?”
Mark closed the blinds.
“Yes.”
Ethan put the case on the table.
“I kept copies.”
Emily looked at it.
“Copies of what?”
“Everything Daniel ordered me to destroy.”
Emily's expression hardened.
“Why didn't you bring these before?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Daniel?”
“Of everyone.”
Ethan opened the case.
Inside were folders.
Hard drives.
A handwritten notebook.
Emily touched the notebook.
“What is this?”
“Your father's.”
Emily looked at him.
“You had this?”
“I found it after Daniel fired me.”
“Why didn't you give it to me?”
“Because I didn't know who I could trust.”
Emily opened the notebook.
The first page contained her father's handwriting.
Emily read silently.
Then her face changed.
Mark noticed.
“What does it say?”
Emily closed the notebook.
“My father knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That Daniel would eventually try to take everything.”
Ethan nodded.
“That wasn't all.”
He pulled out a second folder.
“Daniel never had complete control.”
Emily stared at him.
“Tell me something I don't know.”
Ethan smiled bitterly.
“You don't know what the reserve account is.”
Emily's fingers tightened around the folder.
“What reserve account?”
Ethan looked at Mark.
Mark didn't answer.
Ethan opened a document.
“There is a dormant corporate reserve.”
Emily read the account designation.
Her eyes widened.
“That account still exists?”
“Yes.”
“Who controls it?”
Ethan shook his head.
“That's the problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“The records say the controlling party is hidden behind a trust.”
Emily looked at Mark.
“Do you know?”
Mark hesitated.
“I know the trust exists.”
“Who controls it?”
“I can't tell you yet.”
Emily's voice became sharper.
“Why?”
“Because your father included a condition.”
“What condition?”
Mark looked at Ethan.
Ethan answered.
“The account only becomes fully accessible when Daniel violates the company's protective covenant.”
Silence.
Emily looked toward the window.
“He already did.”
Mark nodded.
“Yes.”
Ethan closed the case.
“Which means someone is about to find out who really owns it.”
A loud knock struck the door.
Everyone froze.
Another knock.
Mark stepped toward the door.
A security officer stood outside.
“Mr. Reynolds?”
“Yes?”
“There are two federal agents downstairs.”
Mark frowned.
“Why?”
“They're asking for Emily Carter.”
Emily stood.
“Let them come.”
Mark turned.
“Emily—”
She interrupted.
“No.”
She looked at Ethan.
“If the truth is finally coming out, I want to be here when it does.”
The door opened.
Two investigators entered.
One carried a sealed document.
He looked at Emily.
“Mrs. Carter?”
“Yes.”
“We need to ask you some questions.”
Emily nodded.
“About Daniel?”
The investigator shook his head.
“No.”
He placed the document on the table.
“About an account registered under your name.”
May you like
Emily looked at Mark.
The room fell silent.
