Chapter 5 - The Forensic Audit
Bradley stared at the cover of the dossier. It bore the Halcyon logo and a title that read: Forensic Financial Audit - Hale Innovations. He didn't touch it. He looked like a man staring at a live grenade. “I don’t know what that is,” he lied. His voice was hollow, stripped of all the arrogance that had filled the foyer of my house three days ago.
“Blue Meridian Consulting,” I read from my own copy. “A vendor account created six months ago. Billing an average of eighty thousand dollars a month for 'strategic market analysis'.” I looked up at him. “Funny thing about their analysis, Bradley. It doesn't exist.” “They are a legitimate contractor,” he stammered. “They are a shell company,” Alexander interrupted smoothly. “Registered in Delaware. The sole signatory on the receiving bank account is Brittany Cole.”
Bradley flinched at her name. “You used investor capital,” I continued, my voice ice-cold. “You used my money to fund your mistress. You bought her a Porsche. You bought her jewelry. You paid for her apartment before moving her into my house.” “I was going to pay it back!” he shouted, desperation cracking his facade. “It was a temporary loan! Startups do it all the time!” “Startups do not embezzle half a million dollars to fund illicit affairs,” I said. “That is called wire fraud, Bradley.”
Alexander tapped his tablet. “Under the terms of your Series B funding agreement, any executive found guilty of financial malfeasance forfeits their equity entirely.” “You can't take my company!” Bradley yelled, standing up. “I built it! It's mine!” “You built a sinking ship,” I corrected. “I kept it afloat. And now, I am letting it sink.” I closed the dossier. “As majority shareholder, I have convened this emergency board meeting to vote on the immediate termination of the CEO.” “You can't vote alone!” “I hold fifty-one percent. I am the only vote that matters.” I looked him dead in the eye. “Bradley Hale, your employment is terminated. Effective immediately.”
He collapsed back into the chair, burying his face in his hands. “Please, Megan. Please. I have a baby coming.” “That is Brittany’s problem now.” “What are you going to do?” he whispered. “The audit has already been forwarded to the SEC and the local authorities,” Alexander stated. “Halcyon has a strict policy of cooperating with law enforcement regarding corporate theft.” Bradley began to weep. Real, ugly tears. Not for the marriage he destroyed. But for the money and the status he had just lost.
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Suddenly, the boardroom doors flew open. Beatrice burst in, her face red with rage, followed closely by a protesting security guard. “Where is she?!” Beatrice shrieked. She spotted me at the head of the table. “You malicious, barren witch! You destroyed my son’s house!” “Ma'am, you need to leave,” the security guard said, grabbing her arm. “Get off me!” she spat, pointing a shaking finger at me. “I will sue you for everything you have! I will take you to court! My son is a CEO!”
Bradley looked up, his face stained with tears. “Mom, stop,” he croaked. “No! Stand up for yourself, Bradley! Tell this worthless woman that we are going to ruin her!” Bradley shook his head slowly. “Mom... she owns the company. She owns everything.” Beatrice froze. Her arm dropped to her side. She looked at me, then at the terrified face of her son, and finally at the imposing figure of Alexander Vale. The reality of her situation hit her like a physical blow. She had spent five years mocking the quiet, unassuming woman who held the keys to their entire kingdom. “Security,” I said softly. “Escort the former CEO and his mother from the building.”
