Chapter 3 - The Internal Audit
By dawn, the storm had passed, leaving Seattle washed in a crisp, brilliant morning light. But inside the thirty-fifth-floor executive suite of Cross Meridian Tower, the atmosphere was as cold and unforgiving as a glacier.
Daniel sat behind his massive obsidian desk, staring at a digital forensic report compiled overnight by his private cybersecurity firm. Across from him sat Marcus Vance, his chief operating officer and long-time corporate confidant, along with Sarah Jenkins, the head of legal counsel.
"The metadata doesn't lie, boss," Marcus said, tapping a finger against his tablet screen. "The forged power of attorney document handed to your mother yesterday was generated on a terminal originating from the internal legal network on floor thirty-two. Specifically, terminal ID L-88."
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. Terminal L-88 belonged to junior partner Julian Cross—no relation, despite the shared surname—who had handled routine compliance filings for the past four years.
"Julian," Daniel murmured, a dangerous, low rumble in his throat. "Pull up his communications log for the past six months. Every encrypted text, every offshore email, every financial transaction."
Sarah Jenkins, a sharp corporate litigator with silver-streaked hair and a reputation for corporate ruthlessness, quickly tapped away at her laptop. A moment later, her face turned pale.
"Found it," Sarah said grimly, turning her laptop around so Daniel could read the screen. "Three days ago, right after Vanessa finalized the draft, a wire transfer of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was routed from an offshore shell company registered under 'Hale Holdings' directly into a private Swiss bank account held by Julian Cross."
Marcus slammed his hand onto the arm of his chair. "That traitorous bastard! He was selling our voting share structure to Vanessa’s family so they could stage a hostile takeover from the inside!"
Daniel didn't yell. He didn't slam anything. He simply stood up from his leather executive chair, walked over to the floor-to-ceiling glass window, and looked out over the sprawling Seattle skyline.
"A hostile takeover," Daniel repeated quietly. "They thought I was too distracted by the upcoming wedding to notice my own corporate foundation being undermined."
May you like
He turned around, his dark gaze locking onto Marcus and Sarah with absolute, unyielding authority.
"Don't alert Julian yet," Daniel ordered smoothly. "Let him come into the office this morning. Let him think his plan is still moving forward. We are going to set a trap right here in the boardroom, and we are going to catch every single rat involved in this conspiracy before the stock market opens on Monday."
