Chapter 3 - Richard’s Warning
Claire did not immediately confront Adrian.
Instead, she arranged a private meeting with Richard Vale.
Richard had founded Vale Industries forty years earlier with one warehouse and twelve employees. Unlike Evelyn and Adrian, he still visited the factories and remembered longtime workers by name.
When Claire entered his office, Richard was standing beside the window, staring down at the city.
She placed printed bank records on his desk.
“I think someone is stealing from the employee pension fund.”
Richard’s face changed before he even looked at the pages.
It was not surprise.
It was recognition.
“How much have you found?” he asked.
“Almost forty million.”
He sat down slowly.
Claire explained the offshore accounts, false consulting contracts, and forged board approvals. Richard listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he opened a locked drawer and removed a file.
Inside were copies of similar transactions.
“You already knew,” Claire said.
“I suspected.”
“Why didn’t you report it?”
Richard looked toward a framed photograph of Adrian as a child.
“I confronted him three months ago. He denied everything. Evelyn defended him. Then evidence began disappearing.”
Claire felt anger rise in her chest.
“People worked their entire lives for that money.”
“I know.”
“Then we go to the authorities.”
Richard shook his head.
“Not yet. Adrian controls company security, legal counsel, and most of the board. If we move without undeniable evidence, he’ll destroy the records and blame you.”
Claire stared at him.
“Why me?”
“Because you discovered it. Because you are not a Vale by blood. And because my wife has spent years convincing people that Adrian can do no wrong.”
Richard gave her a small key.
It opened a storage unit containing archived servers and original financial records.
“Make copies of everything,” he said. “Keep them somewhere Adrian cannot reach.”
As Claire stood to leave, Richard caught her wrist gently.
“Do not tell Adrian what you know.”
Claire remembered the questions he had asked the previous night.
“I think he already suspects.”
May you like
Richard’s expression hardened.
“Then you may be in more danger than either of us realized.”
