"Some of it may be recoverable. We are investigating the remaining transactions."
Ethan looked at the wall.
He felt as if his entire childhood had suddenly become unfamiliar.
He remembered his father teaching him about responsibility.
He remembered the foundation's annual events.
He remembered his mother telling him that the family business was built on honesty.
Now he was discovering that she had been hiding something enormous.
"What's going to happen to her?"
Jonathan answered carefully.
"That depends on the investigation and the legal process. She has indicated that she is willing to cooperate."
Ethan thanked him.
After the call ended, he told Sophia everything.
She listened quietly.
Then she said, "You need to make sure the foundation is protected."
Ethan nodded.
"That's what my father would have wanted."
He immediately contacted the independent board.
He requested a complete review of every financial account.
He also asked that all questionable transactions be documented.
He did not want his mother's actions to affect the people who depended on the foundation.
Over the next several weeks, the investigation expanded.
Several employees were interviewed.
Bank records were examined.
The legal department contacted companies connected to Charles.
Some of the money was recovered.
Other funds remained missing.
Margaret agreed to provide documents and explain her decisions.
But the truth was more complicated than anyone had expected.
Charles had not simply taken the money and disappeared.
He had created a network of companies designed to make the transfers appear legitimate.
Margaret had approved the transactions.
But she had also been deceived by him.
That did not excuse her actions.
However, it explained how the situation had become so complicated.
The investigation eventually discovered that Charles had been using several investors to finance projects that did not exist.
He had provided false documents, created fake development proposals, and transferred money between accounts.
Margaret had been one of his largest sources of funding.
When she began asking questions, he threatened to expose her.
He had used her fear to obtain more money.
Now the legal team was working to identify every person involved.
Ethan was devastated.
He wanted to believe that his mother had simply made a mistake.
But the documents showed that she had continued approving payments even after realizing that the investments were failing.
She had hidden the problem for years.
And she had allowed her fear to become everyone else's burden.
Two months after the wedding, Margaret requested a meeting with Ethan.
He agreed to meet her at a quiet restaurant.
When he arrived, she was already seated.
She looked tired.
Her expensive appearance remained, but her confidence had disappeared.
Ethan sat across from her.
"Hello, Mom."
"Hello."
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Finally, Margaret looked at him.
"I know you're angry."
"I'm disappointed."
She nodded.
"I understand."
"Do you?"
Margaret looked down.
"I made decisions that I thought I could fix. Every time something went wrong, I believed I could recover the money before anyone noticed."
Ethan listened.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was ashamed."
"Then why did you keep doing it?"
She had no answer.
Ethan leaned forward.
"You told me that Sophia wanted our money. You accused her of investigating the family. You tried to destroy our wedding."
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
"I know."
"Do you understand how unfair that was?"
"Yes."
"She was trying to protect the company."
Margaret nodded.
"I know that now."
Ethan stared at her.
"She reported the irregularities because she believed they needed to be investigated. She never asked for anything."
"I know."
"Then why did you treat her that way?"
Margaret finally looked up.
"Because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Of losing control. Of losing the company. Of losing you."
Ethan shook his head.
"You nearly lost me because you were afraid of losing me."
Margaret began crying.
She reached for a tissue.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
"But you did."
"I know."
For the first time, Ethan saw his mother without the confidence she had always displayed.
She was simply a frightened woman who had made terrible decisions.
But he was not ready to forgive her.
"I need time," he said.
Margaret nodded.
"I understand."
"And you need to take responsibility for everything."
"I will."
He stood up.
Before leaving, he said something that Margaret would remember for years.
"Sophia is my wife. She is not your enemy. If you ever want to have a relationship with us again, you need to respect that."