Daniel Brooks received the news at 11:32 a.m.
His executive assistant entered his office with a concerned expression.
"Mr. Brooks, the board has requested that you attend an emergency meeting."
Daniel did not look up from his laptop.
"Tell them I'm unavailable."
"They said it's urgent."
"Then tell them I'll call later."
The assistant hesitated.
"They specifically requested your presence regarding Project Horizon."
Daniel stopped typing.
For several seconds, he stared at the screen.
Then he slowly closed his laptop.
"Who else knows?"
"Ms. Collins, Mr. Hayes, and Ms. Carter."
Daniel stood.
"Arrange my car."
As he walked toward the elevator, his phone vibrated.
A message from Richard appeared.
I gave them everything. Don't expect me to protect you anymore.
Daniel read it twice.
Then he deleted the notification.
Inside the boardroom, the atmosphere was tense.
Richard's USB drive had been examined by the forensic team. Preliminary findings suggested that it contained original internal correspondence, including several messages exchanged between Richard and Daniel.
One email was particularly damaging.
It showed Daniel instructing Richard to proceed with the supplier payments despite concerns raised by the finance department.
Another message discussed a separate advisory account.
The board chairman looked toward Daniel as he entered.
"Daniel, please take a seat."
Daniel remained standing.
"I understand there are allegations."
"Yes," Margaret replied. "We need your explanation."
Daniel looked at the documents.
"This is a misunderstanding. Richard was responsible for the commercial department. He frequently sent me reports, and I approved projects based on the information provided."
Robert placed another document on the table.
"Did you authorize payments to companies connected to Peter Lawson?"
Daniel hesitated.
"I approved certain consulting arrangements."
"Were you aware that some invoices could not be supported by evidence of completed services?"
"No."
"Then why did you instruct Richard to proceed despite the finance department's objections?"
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"I was told the contracts were commercially sensitive."
Evelyn finally spoke.
"By whom?"
Daniel turned toward her.
"By Richard."
"Do you have any written evidence supporting that explanation?"
Daniel said nothing.
Evelyn placed Laura Mitchell's signed document on the table.
"This is a copy of an instruction you signed two years ago. It authorized a supplier arrangement despite unresolved compliance concerns."
Daniel glanced at it.
"I don't remember signing that."
Laura's written statement was placed beside it.
"She does," Evelyn replied.
Daniel leaned back.
"You're relying on a former employee who left under difficult circumstances."
"Her statement is supported by original documents."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"This company would not exist in its current form without my leadership."
Edward Harrington interrupted.
"Your leadership is not the issue. The issue is whether you knowingly authorized improper payments."
Daniel looked around the room.
He seemed to be searching for someone willing to defend him.
Nobody did.
Finally, he turned toward Evelyn.
"You've been here for barely a month. You don't know how complicated these decisions were."
Evelyn met his gaze.
"You're right. I haven't been here for years. But I know what happens when employees are afraid to report misconduct."
Daniel's face tightened.
"Be careful, Evelyn."
She remained calm.
"That's exactly what the employees who reported Richard were told."
Robert placed another document on the table.
"Mr. Brooks, based on the evidence currently available, the investigation committee recommends that you be placed on administrative leave pending an independent review."
Daniel stared at him.
"You're suspending me?"
"Temporarily, yes."
"This is unbelievable."
Edward Harrington spoke firmly.
"The board has a responsibility to protect the company. You will have an opportunity to respond through the formal process."
Daniel looked toward Richard's empty chair.
Then he looked at Evelyn.
"Do you really think you can run this company without understanding the people who built it?"
Evelyn answered quietly.
"I think a company should be strong enough to survive without protecting people who abuse their positions."
Daniel collected his papers.
Before leaving, he stopped beside Evelyn.
"You have no idea how many people you're about to make enemies with."
Evelyn did not move.
"Then I suppose they'll have to learn how to follow the rules."
Daniel walked out.
The boardroom remained silent.
Margaret slowly exhaled.
"That was unexpected."
Evelyn looked at the documents.
"No. It was inevitable."
Outside, employees were beginning to hear rumors about the CEO's suspension.
Some were shocked.
Others were relieved.
And in the commercial department, several former employees were finally considering whether it was safe to tell their stories.
For years, they had believed that the company belonged to its most powerful executives.
Now they were beginning to understand that the company belonged to the people who worked for it.
But the investigation was not over.
One final question remained.
Where had the missing four million dollars actually gone?
And who else had benefited?