Chapter 5: The Forty-Seven Transactions
The wedding foyer had become an impromptu boardroom.
Guests who had arrived expecting champagne, flowers, and a romantic ceremony were now watching a corporate investigation unfold beneath crystal chandeliers.
Richard stood near the reception desk.
Angela held her tablet.
James had removed his boutonniere and placed it on the counter.
Victoria remained beside Danielle, occasionally checking the baby.
Vanessa stood several feet away, refusing to look at anyone.
Richard read through the transaction list.
The first payment was dated eight months earlier.
The last had been processed just four days ago.
"Angela, how many accounts were involved?""
"Seven, sir.""
"And the beneficiary?""
"Primarily Whitmore Event Solutions. There are three additional companies registered to addresses associated with that business.""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Two million dollars.""
James nodded grimly.
"That's what I was afraid of.""
Vanessa suddenly interrupted.
"Those figures are misleading.""
Richard looked up.
"Then explain them.""
"They were temporary transfers. The money was being used to secure suppliers for future events.""
Angela shook her head.
"Several of those suppliers have confirmed they never received a deposit.""
Vanessa snapped.
"They're lying.""
Angela turned the tablet toward her.
"Would you like to explain this transaction?""
The screen showed a payment of $186,000.
The description read:
*FURNITURE AND BALLROOM RENOVATION — ADVANCE PAYMENT.*
Angela continued.
"The vendor's registered address belongs to a residential property in Delaware.""
James stared.
"Vanessa, what furniture?""
She shrugged.
"Specialty furniture.""
"For which ballroom?""
"Several locations.""
"Which locations?""
Vanessa looked away.
Richard slowly set the papers down.
"You're running out of answers.""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"I've worked for this company for six years. I brought in clients. I managed events that generated millions of dollars. Nobody complained when I was making you money.""
Richard replied evenly.
"Your job was to manage the venue. Not secretly create companies and transfer funds into them.""
Vanessa folded her arms.
"You have no idea how expensive it is to maintain a place like this.""
Angela stepped forward.
"The company reimbursed every approved operational expense.""
"Not enough.""
James stared at her.
"Not enough for what?""
Vanessa didn't respond.
Victoria looked at her mother.
"Mom, did you steal the money?""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"Don't use that word.""
"Then what word should I use?""
"You're my daughter. You should be supporting me.""
Victoria shook her head.
"I don't support people who hurt others and then lie about it.""
Vanessa looked wounded.
For a moment, she seemed less like a powerful manager and more like a woman who had lost control of the room.
Then she looked at Danielle.
"Well, at least some people here understand what it's like to need help.""
Danielle frowned.
Vanessa continued.
"Perhaps you should explain your own financial situation.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Leave my daughter out of this.""
But Danielle gently touched his arm.
"It's okay, Dad.""
She looked at Vanessa.
"I'll explain it myself.""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"Please do.""
Danielle adjusted Elijah's blanket.
"I lost my job when my pregnancy became complicated. My rent was late. My car broke down. My husband left.""
She paused.
"I asked my father for help once.""
Richard looked surprised.
Danielle continued.
"He paid my hospital bills and helped me find a smaller apartment. I didn't tell anyone else because I was embarrassed.""
Victoria's eyes softened.
Danielle looked directly at Vanessa.
"I never asked you for anything. I never asked your husband for anything. And I certainly didn't ask you to steal two million dollars on my behalf.""
Vanessa's face reddened.
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then what did you mean?""
Vanessa looked toward Richard.
"She's manipulating you.""
Richard's expression didn't change.
"You're doing a remarkable job of making that accusation sound ridiculous.""
A few guests exchanged glances.
Then someone near the entrance spoke.
"I have something.""
Everyone turned.
A middle-aged woman in a navy dress approached cautiously.
She introduced herself as Patricia Lane, the venue's former accounts supervisor.
Richard recognized her.
"Patricia? I thought you left the company last month.""
"I did, sir.""
"Why are you here?""
Patricia looked at Vanessa.
"I was invited to the wedding.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"You weren't supposed to be here.""
Patricia ignored her.
"Mr. Brooks, I need to tell you something about the missing money.""
Richard gestured for her to continue.
Patricia opened her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"I noticed irregular transfers while I was still working in accounts. I reported them to Vanessa.""
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
"That's not true.""
Patricia continued.
"She told me they were approved by the executive office.""
Richard looked at the envelope.
"What is this?""
"Copies of the original payment requests. I kept them because the amounts didn't match the invoices.""
Angela took the envelope.
She removed several printed pages.
Then she stopped.
"Mr. Brooks...""
Richard turned.
"What?""
Angela pointed to the approval signature.
It was his.
Again.
But this time there was something different.
Beneath the signature was a handwritten note:
*RELEASE FUNDS IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT DELAY FOR REVIEW.*
Richard stared at the handwriting.
"That's not mine.""
Patricia nodded.
"I know.""
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"Anyone could write something like that.""
Patricia looked at her.
"You told me to copy the signature.""
The foyer became completely silent.
Vanessa's mouth opened.
"You're lying!""
Patricia held her ground.
"You told me the owner had authorized it verbally. When I asked for confirmation, you said Daniel Mercer would handle it.""
Angela examined the pages.
"Patricia, do you have the original emails?""
"Yes. They're in my personal archive.""
Richard nodded.
"Please forward everything to our legal department.""
Patricia looked relieved.
"I will.""
Vanessa's voice grew louder.
"She's trying to save herself. She was the one who processed the payments!""
Patricia shook her head.
"I processed what you instructed me to process. I didn't create the companies. I didn't approve the transfers. And I didn't forge anyone's signature.""
Richard turned toward Angela.
"Call our legal counsel.""
Angela stepped away to make the call.
James approached Richard.
"This is worse than I thought.""
Richard nodded.
"I know.""
James looked at Vanessa.
"Why would you do this?""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"Because somebody had to think about the future.""
James stared.
"What future?""
"Our future! Victoria's future! This wedding! Everything!""
Victoria stepped forward.
"Don't use my wedding as an excuse.""
Vanessa turned toward her.
"Do you have any idea how much I spent making this day perfect?""
Victoria looked down at her gown.
"I didn't ask you to steal money to pay for my wedding.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"You think your father paid for all this?""
James stiffened.
"What are you talking about?""
Vanessa smiled.
For the first time, she seemed to have regained some confidence.
"Ask him.""
Victoria looked between her parents.
"Dad?""
James didn't answer.
Vanessa continued.
"The flowers, the entertainment, the catering, the decorations. Do you think all of it came from our personal savings?""
James stepped forward.
"Vanessa, don't.""
She ignored him.
"Your father used company funds to cover part of the wedding deposit. He told me it would be reimbursed.""
Richard turned slowly toward James.
"Is that true?""
James lowered his eyes.
"Richard, I can explain.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Of course you can. You always have an explanation.""
Richard's face hardened.
"How much?""
James took a breath.
"Approximately ninety thousand dollars.""
Victoria looked stunned.
"Your wedding cost ninety thousand dollars from the company?""
James nodded.
"I intended to reimburse it.""
Richard looked at him.
"When?""
"After the wedding.""
Richard shook his head.
"That's not how company money works.""
James looked ashamed.
"I know.""
Vanessa suddenly seized the opportunity.
"So perhaps we should stop pretending I'm the only person with something to answer for.""
Richard looked at her.
"James will answer for his decisions. So will you.""
Then he turned toward Angela.
"Make sure the audit includes every executive, every payment, and every authorization. No exceptions.""
Angela nodded.
"Understood.""
A phone began ringing.
It was Victoria's.
She glanced at the screen.
Her fiancé's name appeared.
*MATTHEW.*
She answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through, loud enough for several people nearby to hear.
"Victoria, where are you? The ceremony is supposed to start.""
Victoria looked at the foyer.
"Something happened.""
"Your mother says your father's threatening to destroy the wedding.""
Victoria closed her eyes.
"That's not what happened.""
Matthew continued.
"Listen, my parents are already here. We have six hundred guests. Whatever family argument you're having, settle it after the ceremony.""
Victoria's expression changed.
"Matthew, my mother assaulted someone.""
"Who?""
"Danielle Brooks.""
There was a pause.
Then Matthew asked something unexpected.
"Is she there with the baby?""
Victoria frowned.
"Yes. Why?""
Another pause.
Then Matthew spoke quietly.
"Victoria, I need you to listen to me very carefully.""
"What?""
"Do not let your mother speak to Danielle again.""
Victoria looked confused.
"Why?""
Matthew lowered his voice.
"Because I know something about the money your father just found.""
Victoria's fingers tightened around the phone.
"What do you know?""
Matthew took a breath.
"Your mother wasn't working alone. And the person who helped her is someone your father trusts more than anyone.""
Victoria looked toward Richard.
"Who?""
Matthew answered.
"Your future father-in-law.""
Victoria went completely still.
May you like
Because Matthew's father was Daniel Mercer.
The same man whose former executive account had been used to approve the missing transactions.