Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Missing Money
Danielle stared at the phone in her hand.
Michael.
Her former husband.
The man who had disappeared three weeks before Amara was born.
The man who hadn't answered a single message when she was recovering in the hospital.
And now, after months of silence, he had called to tell her that her father was involved in the missing foundation money.
Marcus noticed her expression.
“What happened?””
Danielle slowly lowered the phone.
“That was Michael.””
Her father's face changed.
“Michael Carter?””
She nodded.
“He said Uncle Anthony didn't steal the money alone.””
Marcus remained silent.
Then Danielle added something that made his expression even more serious.
“He said you knew about the first transfer.””
For several seconds, Marcus didn't move.
Evelyn looked up from her laptop.
“Mr. Carter?””
Marcus raised one hand.
“Give us a moment.””
Evelyn quietly closed the door behind her.
Danielle stood beside the window, holding Amara against her shoulder.
“Dad, is it true?””
Marcus looked at his daughter.
“Which part?””
“That you knew about the money.””
He exhaled slowly.
“Not the way Michael is suggesting.””
“Then explain it.””
Marcus walked toward the table and opened his briefcase.
He removed a folder that Danielle hadn't seen before.
Inside were several financial reports, handwritten notes, and a letter bearing the foundation's official seal.
“Six months ago, I noticed irregularities in the foundation's emergency accommodation accounts,” he began.
Danielle frowned.
“Six months?””
“Yes.””
“And you didn't tell me?””
“I was trying to establish whether the discrepancies were accounting errors or something more serious.””
“Dad, I was running the program.””
“I know.””
“Then why wasn't I informed?””
Marcus looked down.
“Because I made a decision I thought would protect you.””
Danielle's eyes filled.
“Protect me from what?””
“From discovering that someone close to us might be involved.””
She shook her head.
“You don't protect someone by keeping them in the dark.””
Marcus accepted the criticism without arguing.
“You're right.””
He placed a document on the table.
“The first suspicious transfer was for $18,500. It was recorded as an emergency property expense. I authorized a temporary hold on the account while the finance department investigated.””
Danielle examined the document.
There was her father's signature.
Below it was a second authorization.
Anthony Carter.
And a third.
Michael Carter.
Her stomach tightened.
“Why is Michael's name here?””
Marcus looked at her.
“That's what I wanted to find out.””
Danielle turned another page.
It contained the name of a development company.
The same company that had received the $42,000 payment.
“Did Michael work with Uncle Anthony?””
“Not officially.””
“Then how did he get involved?””
Marcus sat down.
“Anthony told me Michael was helping evaluate a property acquisition. I didn't know he was receiving money from the foundation.””
Danielle looked at the report again.
“Did you approve that?””
“No.””
“Did you know about the payment?””
“I knew about the first suspicious transfer. I did not authorize the payment to Michael's company.””
Danielle stared at him.
“Why didn't you tell me any of this?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“Because I wanted evidence before making accusations against your uncle. I also didn't want you dealing with a financial investigation while preparing for Amara's birth.””
Danielle looked toward her sleeping daughter.
Her voice became quieter.
“Michael told me he needed space because he wasn't ready to be a father.””
Marcus's expression softened.
“I know.””
“He said the pressure of the pregnancy was too much.””
“I remember.””
“He never told me he was involved with Uncle Anthony.””
Marcus didn't answer.
Danielle picked up her phone again.
She dialed Michael's number.
This time, he answered immediately.
“Danielle?””
“I'm listening.””
There was a pause.
“Are you alone?””
“No.””
“Is your father there?””
“Yes.””
Michael sighed.
“Then I need you to hear me before he interrupts.””
Marcus moved closer but remained silent.
Danielle tightened her grip on the phone.
“Why did you call me?””
“Because Anthony is planning to blame everything on me.””
“Did you receive money from the foundation?””
Michael was quiet.
“Michael?””
“Yes.””
Danielle closed her eyes.
“How much?””
“Forty-two thousand.””
Her breath caught.
“Why?””
“He told me it was a consulting payment.””
“For what?””
“Finding properties for the company.””
“Did you find any properties?””
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
Danielle looked at Marcus.
Michael continued.
“I was in financial trouble. Anthony offered me money to help establish a development company. He said it was legitimate.””
“And you believed him?””
“I wanted to believe him.””
Danielle's voice hardened.
“You knew I was building the foundation.””
“I know.””
“You knew what that money was for.””
“I didn't know it came from emergency accommodation funds.””
“But you didn't ask.””
Michael didn't respond.
Danielle felt tears running down her face.
“Do you know what happened to the families who were denied help?””
“Danielle—”
“A mother slept in a hospital waiting room with her sick child because our program said there was no money.””
“I didn't know.””
“You didn't care enough to find out.””
Michael's breathing became uneven.
“I'm sorry.””
Danielle looked down at Amara.
“Why did you mention her birth certificate?””
Michael took a long breath.
“Because Anthony asked me to sign a document before she was born.””
“What document?””
“A family authorization form.””
Danielle frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“He said it was needed for the foundation's emergency accommodation program. He told me it was a routine document confirming that Amara could be included as a beneficiary.””
Danielle stared at the phone.
“That doesn't make sense. Amara wasn't born.””
“I know.””
“Then why would you sign it?””
“He said the paperwork needed to be completed in advance.””
Danielle's voice became cold.
“Michael, what did you actually sign?””
“I don't remember every detail.””
“You signed something involving my newborn daughter without telling me?””
“I was trying to help.””
“Help who?””
Michael went silent.
Then he whispered:
“Anthony said it would protect the money.””
Danielle looked at Marcus.
Her father had gone completely still.
“What does that mean?”” Danielle asked.
Michael continued.
“He told me that if the money was transferred through a family beneficiary account, it wouldn't attract attention during the quarterly audit.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Michael, this is Marcus Carter.””
There was a pause.
“Mr. Carter.””
“Did Anthony tell you to use Danielle's unborn child's identity?””
“I didn't know that's what was happening.””
“Did you sign the authorization?””
“Yes.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Then you need to preserve every document, message, and communication involving Anthony.””
“I have something else.””
“What?””
Michael lowered his voice.
“Anthony told me the foundation wasn't the only account he was moving money through.””
Marcus looked at Danielle.
“What other account?””
“I don't know the full details. But he mentioned the hotel redevelopment fund.””
Danielle's eyes widened.
The hotel redevelopment fund was a separate investment account used to renovate properties and support new construction.
Marcus had personally overseen it.
“Michael,” Marcus said, “who else was involved?””
“I don't know.””
“Who prepared the documents?””
“I only met with Anthony.””
“Did you meet Vanessa?””
Michael hesitated.
“Yes.””
Danielle's stomach tightened.
“When?””
“Twice. Once at the hotel and once at Anthony's office.””
“What did she do?””
“She brought the paperwork.””
Danielle looked at her father.
The pieces were beginning to fit together.
Vanessa had been receiving hotel benefits.
Anthony had been authorizing the transfers.
Richard had been protecting Vanessa's reservations.
And Michael had signed documents involving Amara's identity.
But one question remained.
“Michael,” Danielle said, “why did you leave me?””
He didn't answer.
“Was it because of the money?””
A long silence followed.
Then Michael whispered:
“Anthony told me that if I stayed with you, I'd eventually be expected to take responsibility for the foundation's financial problems.””
Danielle felt her knees weaken.
“He told you that?””
“He said you were going to discover the transfers. He said the family would turn against you, and I would be caught in the middle.””
“So you left?””
“I panicked.””
Danielle stared at the window.
“You abandoned your wife and newborn daughter because my uncle told you to?””
“I know how it sounds.””
“No, Michael. You know exactly how it sounds.””
She ended the call.
Marcus gently took the phone from her hand.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.””
Danielle shook her head.
“I don't want another apology.””
She looked at the financial documents.
“I want the truth.””
Marcus nodded.
“Then we'll get it.””
Just then, Evelyn knocked and entered.
“Mr. Carter, the board has approved the emergency suspension of Anthony's access.””
“Good.””
“But there's a new development.””
“What?””
“Richard Collins has submitted a statement claiming he was instructed to protect Vanessa's account by someone above him.””
Marcus frowned.
“Who?””
Evelyn placed a printed statement on the table.
The name at the bottom was unmistakable.
*ANTHONY CARTER.*
Danielle looked at the document.
Then she noticed a handwritten note attached to it.
It contained six words.
*The hotel was only the beginning.*
May you like
And beneath those words was a second name.
*MICHAEL CARTER.*
