Alexander returned to his desk.
"Tomorrow morning, we are reporting this to the board and the appropriate authorities. You will cooperate fully."
Daniel's face went pale.
"Father, please. We can fix this privately."
"No."
"You're going to destroy my life."
Alexander's voice became cold.
"You should have thought about that before risking other people's livelihoods."
CHAPTER 8: THE MISSING MILLIONS
The following days were chaotic.
The financial department conducted a preliminary audit.
Several transactions were identified as suspicious.
The company contacted its legal advisers.
And the board demanded a full explanation.
Daniel was temporarily removed from his responsibilities.
His access to certain financial systems was suspended.
News of the missing funds began circulating among senior executives.
Some believed Daniel had been involved in deliberate fraud.
Others thought he had been manipulated by an outside criminal group.
Alexander refused to make public accusations before the investigation was complete.
But he also refused to protect his son from the consequences.
This created a serious conflict within the family.
Several relatives called Alexander privately.
They suggested that he should use his influence to resolve the matter quietly.
One even suggested transferring money from another company account to cover the loss.
Alexander rejected the idea.
"If my son made a mistake, he must take responsibility. I will not make thousands of employees pay for his decisions."
Daniel heard about the conversation.
He interpreted it as another rejection.
He believed his father cared more about the company than about him.
Olivia tried to help him understand.
"Your father is angry, but he is trying to prevent this from becoming worse."
Daniel shook his head.
"He could make this disappear."
"That isn't the point."
"He's my father."
"And you're an adult, Daniel."
He looked at her.
"Whose side are you on?"
Olivia was silent.
Then she answered:
"I'm on the side of the truth."
Daniel walked away.
That was the first time Olivia began questioning whether their relationship could survive.
CHAPTER 9: THE MAN BEHIND THE SCHEME
Meanwhile, investigators were getting closer to Victor Lawson.
They discovered that Victor had used several identities.
He had previously been investigated for investment fraud.
His associates had registered companies in different countries and used them to receive money from unsuspecting investors.
The Harrison Global transaction was not his first operation.
But something about the case was unusual.
Victor had not simply stolen the money.
He had also obtained confidential information about Harrison Global's internal investment procedures.
Someone had provided him with details about the company's financial systems.
Investigators began examining internal access records.
They discovered that a senior executive had downloaded confidential documents shortly before Daniel signed the agreement.
The executive was named Robert Hayes.
Robert had worked for Harrison Global for seventeen years.
He was considered one of Alexander's most trusted advisers.
He had attended family dinners, company celebrations, and private business meetings.
Alexander initially refused to believe he could be involved.
But the records were clear.
Robert had accessed information that was not necessary for his job.
He had also communicated with one of Victor's shell companies.
When investigators questioned him, he denied everything.
But a search of his office revealed copies of several confidential documents.
The case was becoming much larger than Daniel's mistake.
And Alexander began realizing that his son might have been the easiest target in a carefully planned operation.
CHAPTER 10: THE HOTEL MEETING
The confrontation in the Grand Sterling Hotel took place three weeks after the investigation began.