Chapter 3 - What the Security Team Found
Charles had prepared a private suite at a Brooks Global medical residence near the hospital.
It was designed for executives and employees recovering from serious medical procedures, but Audrey had never used it. She had always worried that accepting her family’s help would prove Dominic right when he accused her of being privileged.
Now she understood the difference between privilege and protection.
A nurse helped her settle into bed while Leo slept nearby.
Charles arrived less than twenty minutes later.
He was still wearing the gray suit from his morning meeting. The moment he saw Audrey, his professional composure disappeared.
He crossed the room and kissed her forehead.
“I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do this.”
“I saw what he was becoming.”
“So did I. I just didn’t want to admit it.”
Charles looked into the bassinet.
Leo opened his eyes briefly.
“My grandson took his first bus ride before I took him for his first walk.”
Audrey smiled sadly.
“He handled it better than I did.”
Marcus entered with two attorneys.
“We reached the apartment,” he said. “The lease and ownership records confirm that the property belongs to the Brooks Family Trust. Mr. Vance has occupancy rights through the marriage but cannot exclude Ms. Brooks.”
“Was Dominic there?” Audrey asked.
“No. The building manager granted access after reviewing the documents.”
Marcus placed several sealed evidence bags on the table.
“We found your laptop in Dominic’s office. We also located the original trust file inside a locked desk drawer.”
Audrey frowned.
“I never put it there.”
“There’s more.”
One of the attorneys opened a folder.
“Your signature appears on three documents. One authorizes the transfer of your voting rights. Another pledges your shares as collateral for a private loan. The third gives Dominic temporary control if you become medically incapacitated.”
Audrey felt cold.
“He prepared that while I was pregnant.”
“We believe so.”
“Who gave him the forms?”
Marcus removed a printed message exchange.
The conversation was between Dominic and Victoria.
Victoria had written that Audrey would be distracted after giving birth.
Dominic replied that no one would question a signature while his wife was recovering.
Another message mentioned using Audrey’s shares to secure a deal before Charles discovered the truth.
Audrey read the final line twice.
Once the financing clears, I won’t need her anymore.
Charles reached for the papers, but Audrey held on.
“No. I need to see all of it.”
The next messages showed Dominic discussing a luxury penthouse with Natalie. Victoria demanded a larger monthly allowance once the investment closed. Arthur suggested moving money into an overseas account.
They had not merely treated Audrey badly.
They had planned to steal from her.
The attorneys explained that Dominic’s company had an emergency board meeting scheduled for the following morning. The forged collateral documents had been used to finalize a major expansion agreement.
Brooks Global was the primary guarantor.
Without Charles’s approval, the deal would collapse.
“What happens if we expose the forgery?” Audrey asked.
“The financing is suspended,” the attorney replied. “The board will likely remove Dominic while the investigation continues.”
“And the company?”
“It can survive if new leadership is appointed quickly.”
Audrey looked at Leo.
Hundreds of employees depended on the company for their salaries. She would not destroy their lives because Dominic had tried to destroy hers.
“Save the company,” she said. “Remove him.”
Charles studied his daughter.
“You don’t owe his company mercy.”
“I’m not doing it for him. I’m doing it for the employees who had nothing to do with this.”
Marcus’s phone rang.
He listened, then looked toward Audrey.
“Dominic has returned to the apartment. He’s demanding entry.”
“Did he notice the SUV was gone?” Charles asked.
“The trust’s recovery team collected it from the restaurant valet.”
For the first time that day, Audrey almost laughed.
“What did he do?”
“He called the police and reported the vehicle stolen. Officers informed him that the legal owner had reclaimed it.”
Charles folded his hands.
“And Victoria?”
“She attempted to pay the restaurant bill using a Brooks Global hospitality card assigned to Audrey.”
Audrey stared at him.
“I didn’t know she had that card.”
“She does not anymore. The charge was declined.”
Marcus continued.
“Dominic is calling repeatedly. He wants to know where you are.”
Audrey turned off her phone.
“He told me not to keep calling while he was with his family.”
May you like
She placed it on the table.
“Tomorrow, he can speak to me in front of the board.”
