He refused to answer several questions.
Within days, investigators discovered additional inconsistencies.
Several companies connected to the original investment group had received funds from Sterling International before the financial scandal became public.
The transactions had been disguised as consulting fees.
Some invoices contained signatures that appeared to have been copied.
The investigation also found that the original ownership agreement had been removed from the company's archive shortly before Daniel was dismissed.
A former company secretary eventually came forward.
Her name was Helen Brooks.
She was seventy-one years old and had retired many years earlier.
She remembered Margaret instructing staff to remove several documents from the legal archive.
At the time, Helen had been told the records were outdated.
She had questioned the decision.
But she had been warned not to interfere.
Helen agreed to provide a statement.
She also remembered seeing Richard Caldwell meeting Margaret privately on several occasions.
The evidence was becoming difficult to dismiss.
Victoria watched the investigation unfold.
Every new discovery brought relief and pain at the same time.
The truth was finally emerging.
But it was a truth that changed everything she had believed about her childhood.
CHAPTER 15: THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
Three weeks later, Victoria received a call from Richard Caldwell's lawyer.
Richard wanted to meet.
Victoria agreed.
The meeting took place in the company's legal conference room.
Richard arrived with two attorneys.
He looked older than he had a few weeks earlier.
Victoria sat opposite him.
Thomas was also present.
Richard glanced at the elderly man.
"You should not be here."
Thomas answered quietly.
"I've heard that before."
Victoria opened a folder.
"We have completed the preliminary review."
Richard said nothing.
"The documents show that company funds were transferred through accounts connected to your investment group. The original ownership agreement was removed. And the recording raises serious questions about your involvement in the events before my father's death."
Richard's attorney interrupted.
"My client denies any wrongdoing."
Victoria nodded.
"That is your right."
She placed another document on the table.
"But the independent audit has identified transactions that require further investigation."
Richard looked at the paper.
His expression changed.
Victoria continued.
"My father was accused of stealing from his own company. Thomas was publicly blamed. Their reputations were destroyed."
Richard leaned back.
"Your father made business decisions that were not sustainable."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Business is complicated."
Victoria's voice became firm.
"Fraud is not complicated."
Richard looked at her.
"You think you can rewrite twenty years of history because an old man walked into your lobby?"
Thomas slowly stood.
"No, Richard. We are finally reading the history you tried to erase."
Richard looked away.
His attorneys asked for a private consultation.
Victoria agreed.
The meeting ended without a settlement.
But the investigation continued.
And this time, nobody could make the evidence disappear.
CHAPTER 16: THE MAN WHO RETURNED THE BRIEFCASE
One afternoon, Victoria invited Thomas back to the building.
This time, he entered through the main doors without anyone questioning him.
The receptionist stood immediately.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Reed."
Thomas smiled.
"Good afternoon."
Victoria waited near the elevator.
She wore a simple navy suit.
"Are you ready?"
Thomas nodded.
They walked toward the executive floor.
In the lobby, employees greeted him respectfully.
Some recognized him from the internal investigation.
Others had heard the story from colleagues.
Victoria led him into a private office.
On the desk was a new document folder.