Chapter 5: The Money Meant for Mothers
“Four hundred thousand dollars?””
Richard repeated the amount slowly.
The chairman confirmed it.
“Three hundred and eighty-seven thousand, six hundred dollars. The transfers were made over the last five months.””
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Is this true?””
Daniel immediately shook his head.
“Dad, I can explain.””
Richard held up one hand.
“Answer the question first.””
“I approved several administrative transfers.””
“From the maternal support fund?””
“They were temporary.””
Danielle stepped closer.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel ignored her.
“Dad, we should discuss this privately.””
Richard looked at the security director.
“Get the finance director on the phone.””
The director nodded and stepped away.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“You're embarrassing me in front of everyone.””
Richard looked around the foyer.
“You were perfectly comfortable embarrassing your sister in front of everyone.””
Daniel's expression tightened.
“That's different.””
“How?””
“Because this is a family issue.””
Danielle laughed softly.
“A family issue? You let a woman slap me while I was holding your niece.””
Daniel looked at her.
“I never wanted that to happen.””
“But you made sure I was treated like someone who didn't belong.””
He looked away.
Richard walked toward a quiet corner near the staircase.
“Danielle, sit down with Amara for a moment.””
She shook her head.
“I'm staying.””
Richard nodded.
“Then stay.””
The finance director joined the call.
“Mr. Brooks, I have the transfer records.””
“Explain them.””
“The maternal support fund received donations from three corporate partners and a private charitable trust. The money was intended for emergency housing assistance, childcare grants, and transportation support for low-income mothers.””
Richard listened.
“Where did the money go?””
“Some transfers went to a consulting company called Northbridge Advisory.””
Daniel interrupted.
“Those were legitimate consulting expenses.””
The finance director continued.
“Other transfers went to a property management company and a private event planning business.””
Richard frowned.
“Who owns those companies?””
The director hesitated.
“Northbridge Advisory is registered to an individual named Michael Grant. The property company is registered to a holding entity connected to the Brooks family.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Dad, you're missing the context.””
Richard looked at him.
“Then provide it.””
Daniel rubbed his face.
“The foundation had operational costs. We needed temporary financing for the expansion.””
“Did the foundation approve that?””
“It was understood.””
“By whom?””
Daniel didn't answer.
The finance director spoke again.
“Sir, the records show no approval from the foundation's independent trustees.””
Richard closed his eyes briefly.
“Was there a repayment agreement?””
“No, sir.””
Danielle looked at her brother.
“You took money from a fund that helps mothers?””
Daniel turned toward her.
“You don't understand how these things work.””
She stared at him.
“Then explain it.””
“The money wasn't being used immediately.””
“That doesn't make it yours.””
Daniel's voice rose.
“Do you have any idea how expensive it is to keep a company like this running?””
Danielle looked down at Amara.
Then back at him.
“Do you have any idea how expensive it is to raise a child alone?””
Daniel scoffed.
“You have Dad paying for everything.””
The words came out before he could stop them.
Danielle went still.
Richard looked at his son.
“What did you just say?””
Daniel shook his head.
“That's not what I meant.””
Danielle's eyes filled.
“Do you really think I had a baby because I wanted someone to pay my bills?””
“No.””
“Do you think I haven't worked? Do you think I haven't spent nights filling out grant applications, helping women find apartments, and sitting with mothers who are terrified they'll lose their children because they can't afford rent?””
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“Danielle, stop making this personal.””
She looked at him in disbelief.
“You made it personal when you sent my photograph to a manager and told her to keep me away.””
Richard turned toward the finance director.
“Freeze all outgoing payments from the maternal support fund. Preserve every record. Notify the independent trustees and our legal counsel.””
“Yes, sir.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Dad, you can't freeze the whole fund. There are contracts.””
“Then we'll review them.””
“You'll disrupt operations.””
“Then we'll explain the situation to the people responsible for overseeing the money.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You're going to destroy everything I've built.””
Richard looked at him.
“If everything you've built depends on taking money from mothers who need help, perhaps it deserves to be examined.””
A phone buzzed.
The security director checked it.
“Mr. Brooks, the events coordinator has arrived.””
Richard nodded.
“Bring her in.””
A woman in her early forties entered the foyer.
Her name was Lisa Morgan.
She had worked in private events for six years and had managed the family's major celebrations.
She looked nervous.
“Mr. Brooks?””
“Lisa, I need you to explain the instructions sent to Victoria.””
Lisa glanced at Daniel.
Then at Danielle.
“Am I in trouble?””
Richard answered calmly.
“That depends on what you knew and what you did.””
Lisa took a breath.
“Mr. Daniel called me three days ago. He asked me to update the guest list and make sure the private dining staff knew Danielle might arrive.””
Danielle looked at her brother.
Lisa continued.
“He told me there had been a family disagreement and that Danielle should not be allowed into the private room.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“Did he tell you why?””
“He said she was trying to create a scene about the foundation.””
Danielle shook her head.
“I didn't even know about the foundation announcement.””
Lisa nodded.
“I know that now.””
Richard asked, “Why did you send the photograph?””
“Daniel sent it to me. He said the manager needed to recognize her.””
“And what instructions did you give Victoria?””
Lisa looked uncomfortable.
“I told her to verify Danielle's identity before allowing her into the private room.””
Richard looked at the message.
“That isn't what the message says.””
Lisa swallowed.
“No, sir.””
“Why?””
“Daniel asked me to make it sound more formal.””
Daniel immediately interrupted.
“Lisa, be careful.””
She flinched.
Richard noticed.
“Continue.””
Lisa looked directly at Richard.
“He told me to emphasize that Danielle was not authorized to enter the private area. He also said that if she became difficult, Victoria should handle it without involving him.””
Danielle felt something cold settle in her stomach.
“So he knew what might happen.””
Lisa nodded.
“I believe so.””
Daniel stepped toward her.
“You're twisting my words.””
Lisa backed away.
“I'm telling the truth.””
Richard turned to his son.
“Did you instruct Lisa to keep Danielle away from the family dinner?””
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Yes.””
“Did you tell Victoria that Danielle was not welcome?””
“I told her to verify the guest list.””
“That's not what I asked.””
Daniel exhaled.
“Yes.””
Richard looked at him for several seconds.
Then he turned to the security director.
“Escort Daniel to the executive conference room. He is not to access company systems or financial accounts until the investigation is complete.””
Daniel's head snapped up.
“You're suspending me?””
“Temporarily.””
“I'm your son!””
“And this is a company.””
Daniel stared at his father.
“You're choosing her over me.””
Richard's expression didn't change.
“No. I'm choosing the truth over a family name.””
Daniel turned toward Danielle.
“You must be happy.””
She shook her head.
“I'm not happy.””
“You've always wanted my position.””
Danielle looked almost offended.
“I never wanted your position.””
“Then why are you doing this?””
“I'm not doing anything. I'm asking why you hurt me.””
Daniel stared at her.
For the first time, he seemed unable to find an answer.
Two security officers approached.
“Mr. Brooks, we'd like you to come with us.””
Daniel looked at them.
Then at his father.
“This is unbelievable.””
Richard didn't respond.
Daniel turned toward the private dining corridor.
“I have a meeting with the investors.””
“Not today,” Richard said.
Daniel's shoulders stiffened.
He followed the officers toward the conference room.
But before disappearing around the corner, he turned one last time.
“Danielle, you have no idea what you're getting involved in.””
She held his gaze.
“Maybe you should have thought about that before involving my daughter.””
The door closed behind him.
For a moment, the foyer was silent.
Then Richard's phone rang.
It was the chairman again.
“Richard, we need to discuss something else.””
Richard looked exhausted.
“What now?””
“The transfers weren't the only issue. We've found a second set of accounts.””
Richard frowned.
“Whose accounts?””
The chairman hesitated.
“Accounts connected to the restaurant's employee hardship program.””
Danielle looked up.
“What employee hardship program?””
Richard turned toward her.
“It's a fund we established for employees facing medical emergencies, housing problems, or unexpected family expenses.””
The chairman continued.
“Richard, some of the people listed as recipients never received the money.””
Danielle felt her stomach tighten.
“How much?””
“Approximately two hundred thousand dollars.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“Send me the records.””
The call ended.
He looked at Danielle.
“I promise you, we're going to find out what happened.””
Danielle gently rocked Amara.
“Dad, how many people were supposed to receive that money?””
Richard didn't answer.
The finance director looked down at his tablet.
Then spoke quietly.
“Thirty-one employees, sir.””
Danielle stared at him.
“Thirty-one families?””
“Yes, ma'am.””
She looked toward the conference room where her brother had disappeared.
Thirty-one families had trusted the company.
Thirty-one families had been promised help.
And someone had taken money meant for them.
But the next discovery would be even more disturbing.
Because when the finance director opened the list of missing payments, Danielle recognized one of the names.
It belonged to a waitress who had helped her father build the original restaurant.
A woman named Margaret.
The same woman who had quietly brought her water after Victoria slapped her.
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And according to the records, Margaret had supposedly received twenty thousand dollars.
Margaret had never seen a single penny.