The payment had been made to a consulting firm with no meaningful business activity.
The amount was substantial.
When she checked the company's registration information, she found that it had been established only six months earlier.
Its registered address was a small office that appeared to be unused.
Sophia showed the document to Ethan.
He immediately recognized the authorization signature.
It belonged to his mother.
He was confused.
"Do you think she made a mistake?"
Sophia considered the question.
"I don't know. But the company doesn't appear to provide the services described in the invoice."
Ethan examined the document.
"Maybe the legal department has an explanation."
"That's possible."
He contacted the company's legal adviser.
The adviser was a man named Jonathan Pierce, who had worked with Robert Mitchell for more than fifteen years.
Jonathan listened carefully.
Then he asked Ethan to send him the documents.
Two days later, Jonathan called.
"We need to discuss something important."
Ethan became concerned.
"What is it?"
"I've reviewed the transactions you sent. They are connected to a much larger pattern."
"What kind of pattern?"
"Several payments appear to have been made without proper authorization. Some of the receiving companies may have connections to individuals outside the business."
Ethan was silent.
"Are you saying someone has been stealing from the company?"
"I'm saying we need a complete independent audit before making any conclusions."
Ethan agreed.
He asked Jonathan to begin the process.
He also asked him not to inform his mother until they had sufficient evidence.
Jonathan warned him that the situation could become complicated.
Ethan understood.
But he never expected his mother to discover the investigation so quickly.
Two days before the wedding, Margaret received a message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Ethan entering Jonathan's office.
Beneath the photograph was a short sentence.
"Your son is getting closer."
Margaret immediately called the number.
Nobody answered.
She sent several messages.
There was no response.
Then another message arrived.
"Find a way to stop the audit."
Margaret stared at the screen.
She recognized the writing style.
It was Charles.
She had no idea where he was, but he was clearly still monitoring the situation.
She called him repeatedly.
Finally, he answered.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
Charles laughed.
"That's an interesting way to speak to someone who helped you."
"You told me the money would be returned."
"I told you the investments had potential."
"You said they were guaranteed."
"Nothing in business is guaranteed."
Margaret became furious.
"You used me."
Charles remained calm.
"Careful, Margaret. You signed the documents. You approved the transfers. Nobody forced you."
She felt sick.
"What do you want?"
"More money."
"I have nothing left."
"Then perhaps you should find something."
Charles ended the call.
Margaret sat alone in her living room.
She had lost control of the financial situation.
Now she was losing control of her son.
She looked at a photograph of Robert on the mantelpiece.
For years, she had told herself that everything she did was to protect the family.
But she could no longer ignore the truth.
She had become the very kind of person Robert had warned her against.
The wedding morning arrived.
Sophia woke up at six.
She was staying in a beautiful hotel suite with her mother and bridesmaids.
The room was filled with flowers, makeup products, dresses, and excited conversations.
Her mother, Linda, watched as the hairdresser carefully arranged her daughter's hair.
"You look just like you did when you were little," Linda said.
Sophia smiled.
"Mom, I was never this beautiful when I was little."
Linda laughed.
"You were beautiful in your own way."
Sophia reached for her mother's hand.
"I'm nervous."
"That's normal."
"What if something goes wrong?"
Linda looked at her.
"Then you deal with it together. That's what marriage means."
Sophia nodded.
Her mother had always been her greatest source of comfort.
She had supported Sophia through difficult examinations, career changes, and personal disappointments.
She had never asked her daughter to marry someone wealthy.
She had only asked her to marry someone who respected her.
Across the city, Ethan was preparing at his family home.
His best man, Daniel, helped him adjust his tie.
"You look terrified," Daniel joked.
"I'm not terrified."
"Then why have you checked your phone twenty times?"
Ethan laughed.
"I'm waiting for Sophia."
Daniel shook his head.
"You're hopeless."
Ethan smiled.