"Thomas Reed was later investigated for several questionable financial transactions involving the company."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Was he charged?"
"No. The investigation ended without prosecution."
"Why?"
James opened another page.
"Because the primary witness withdrew his statement."
Daniel read the name.
Samuel Reed.
"Who is he?"
"Thomas's son. He was a junior financial officer at Bennett Industries at the time."
Daniel leaned back.
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes. He currently works as a consultant."
Daniel stood.
"Find him."
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, Victoria was having breakfast with Richard Collins in a private restaurant.
The restaurant was nearly empty.
Richard sat across from her, wearing a dark blue suit and a silver watch.
He was in his late fifties, with carefully styled gray hair and a smile that rarely reached his eyes.
"You look nervous," he said.
Victoria placed her coffee cup down.
"Daniel has started investigating the original share transfer."
Richard did not appear surprised.
"I expected that."
"He found the connection to your holding company."
Richard's expression changed slightly.
"How much does he know?"
"Enough to be dangerous."
Richard leaned forward.
"Listen carefully. The acquisition agreement is scheduled for approval in ten days. We cannot allow him to delay it."
"What about Arthur?"
Richard smiled faintly.
"The old man is not a problem."
Victoria stared at him.
"You don't understand. He's the original shareholder. If he proves the transfer was fraudulent, he could challenge the entire structure."
Richard took a sip of coffee.
"Then we make sure he cannot prove it."
Victoria looked uncomfortable.
"What exactly are you suggesting?"
Richard put down his cup.
"Have you ever heard of a company called Reed Holdings?"
"Yes."
"It was established to manage several of the original shareholder interests."
Victoria nodded.
"What's your point?"
Richard leaned closer.
"Thomas Reed created it. His son handled the financial records. The documents were designed to make the transfer appear legitimate."
Victoria stared at him.
"You're telling me the documents were falsified?"
Richard smiled.
"I'm telling you that business is complicated."
She looked away.
"Daniel will find out."
"Only if we let him."
Richard opened his briefcase and removed a sealed envelope.
He placed it on the table.
"Your final instructions."
Victoria opened it.
Inside were copies of internal emails, a list of financial transfers, and a draft resignation agreement bearing Daniel's name.
She looked up.
"What is this?"
"An insurance policy."
Richard smiled.
"Once the acquisition is complete, Daniel will be accused of authorizing the questionable transfers himself."
Victoria froze.
"That's impossible. He had nothing to do with them."
"That won't matter if the evidence points in his direction."
Victoria closed the envelope.
"You're planning to destroy him."
Richard's expression remained cold.
"He is standing in the way of a business opportunity."
Victoria stared at him.
For the first time, she understood the full extent of his plan.
Richard wasn't merely trying to acquire Bennett Global.
He wanted to remove Daniel completely.
And he was willing to ruin an innocent man to do it.
Back at the company, Daniel received a call from an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Bennett?"
"Yes."
"My name is Samuel Reed. I believe your lawyer has been trying to contact me."
Daniel straightened.
"Yes. We would like to discuss some historical company records."
Samuel hesitated.
"Is your father with you?"
Daniel frowned.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I believe he deserves to know the truth."
Daniel looked toward James.
"Can you meet us?"
"Yes. But not at your office."
"Where?"
"There's a small café near Central Park. Tomorrow morning. Come alone, if possible."
Daniel glanced at James.
"All right."
Samuel lowered his voice.
"Mr. Bennett, one more thing."
"What?"
"Be careful who you trust inside your company."
The call ended.
Daniel stared at the phone.
James looked concerned.
"What did he say?"
Daniel slowly put it down.
"He says someone inside the company is involved."
James frowned.
"Who?"
Daniel looked toward the glass wall.
Victoria was walking toward her office.
"I don't know yet."
That evening, Daniel returned to his father's house.
Arthur was sitting in the garden, repairing an old wooden chair.
Daniel approached.
"Do you remember Samuel Reed?"
Arthur looked up.
"Samuel?"
"Thomas Reed's son."
Arthur's expression changed.
"Yes. He was a young man when your grandfather was alive."
"Do you know him well?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Not particularly. He used to bring documents to the workshop."
Daniel sat beside him.
"He wants to meet us."
Arthur stopped working.
"Why?"
"He says he knows what happened to your shares."
Arthur stared at the wooden chair.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he quietly replied:
"I hope he does."
Daniel looked at him.
"Are you afraid of what we'll find?"
Arthur smiled sadly.
"No, son. I'm afraid of what people become when they decide money is more important than their conscience."
Daniel placed a hand on his father's shoulder.
"Whatever happened, we'll face it together."
Arthur nodded.
But that night, after Daniel had gone home, Arthur returned to the attic.
He opened an old wooden trunk.
Inside were photographs, letters, notebooks, and several envelopes.
He searched until he found one bearing the handwriting of Robert Bennett.
The letter was dated just three weeks before Robert died.
Arthur opened it carefully.
The first sentence made his hands tremble.
"Arthur, if anything happens to me, there is something you must know about the company. I have discovered that someone is trying to take your shares without your knowledge..."
Arthur stopped reading.
He sat down on the attic floor.
His eyes filled with tears.
For twelve years, he had believed the transfer was simply a misunderstanding.
Now he wondered whether his old friend had died knowing the truth.
He turned the page.
At the bottom was a final handwritten sentence.
"Do not trust the man who smiles while asking you to sign."
Arthur stared at those words.
He knew that smile.
And suddenly, a name came back to him.
Richard Collins.
The next morning, Daniel arrived at the café ten minutes early.
It was a quiet place near Central Park, with wooden tables and large windows overlooking the street.
He ordered coffee and waited.
At 9:05 a.m., a middle-aged man entered.
He wore a gray coat and carried a leather briefcase.
He looked around before approaching Daniel.
"Mr. Bennett?"
"Samuel Reed?"
The man nodded.
They shook hands.
Samuel sat down.
"Thank you for coming."
Daniel studied him.
"You said you knew something about my father's shares."
Samuel opened his briefcase.
"I do."
He removed several old documents and placed them on the table.
"This is a copy of the original transfer agreement."
Daniel examined it.
The document carried Arthur's signature.
But something seemed wrong.
"Why does this say my father transferred all his shares permanently?"
Samuel looked uncomfortable.
"Because someone changed the original wording."
Daniel looked up.
"What?"
"The document your father signed was a temporary transfer agreement. It was supposed to protect his shares during the restructuring. The version filed with the company was different."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Who changed it?"
Samuel lowered his voice.
"My father."
Daniel stared at him.
"Thomas Reed?"
Samuel nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he was working with Richard Collins."
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"Richard was involved twelve years ago?"
Samuel nodded again.
"He was already trying to gain control of Bennett Industries."
Daniel looked at the papers.
"Do you have proof?"
Samuel removed another envelope.
Inside were copies of emails and financial records.
"I kept these because I knew something was wrong. My father told me that Arthur had agreed to the permanent transfer, but I saw the original agreement."
Daniel scanned the pages.
One email contained a message from Richard Collins to Thomas Reed.
"Once Arthur's shares are transferred, the remaining ownership structure will be much easier to control. Make sure the final documents cannot be challenged."
Daniel looked up.
"Why didn't you report this?"
Samuel's eyes lowered.
"Because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"My father controlled my career. Richard had powerful connections. I had a young family, and I didn't know what they were capable of."