Chapter 14 - The Story They Prepared
Adrian wanted immediate protection placed around Elena.
Elena agreed to additional security at the fund but refused to close its doors.
“If someone wants me frightened,” she said, “disappearing will reward them.”
Daniel sent Vanessa’s contract to a document examiner and instructed his investigators to review every connection between Graham and the Laurent family.
Before the results arrived, the first public accusation appeared.
An anonymous report claimed the Vale Dignity Fund had paid thousands of dollars to nonexistent beneficiaries.
News outlets began calling the office before breakfast.
By noon, photographs of Elena were appearing beside headlines questioning whether the charity had been created to hide money left over from Adrian’s canceled wedding.
Graham called Adrian personally.
“This is a disaster,” he said. “Suspend the fund before it damages the hotels.”
“We have not confirmed that any money is missing.”
“The board will not wait for confirmation.”
Adrian heard concern in his uncle’s voice, but it felt too prepared.
“What do you suggest?”
“Allow me to supervise an internal review. We can contain this before regulators become involved.”
Adrian looked across his office at Daniel.
“No,” Adrian said. “An independent auditor will examine everything.”
Graham became quiet.
“You are making the same mistake your father made.”
“What mistake was that?”
“Believing transparency protects innocent people.”
The call ended.
The fund’s financial records showed four suspicious payments. Each beneficiary had completed application forms, provided identification, and signed housing assistance documents.
On the surface, every file appeared legitimate.
Ruth arrived at the office carrying a list of names.
“I know one of them,” she told Elena.
The beneficiary listed as Samuel Trent had supposedly received emergency housing assistance three months earlier.
But Samuel Trent had worked as a night auditor at the original Vale Hotel.
He had died nine years ago.
Ruth knew because he had once helped her find shelter during a winter storm.
Margaret searched the company archives and found employment records for the other three names.
All had once worked for Vale Hospitality.
All had died before the fund existed.
Someone had built the false applications using information from old personnel files.
Only a person inside the company could have done it.
That evening, Margaret called Elena from the basement archive.
Her voice was shaking.
“Elena, I remembered something about Samuel Trent.”
“What?”
“The night before Martin died, Samuel delivered a box to me.”
“Where is it?”
“I hid it exactly where Martin instructed.”
May you like
Margaret paused.
“But someone emptied the storage unit yesterday.”
