And Alexander had allowed it to happen because he had stopped asking questions.
CHAPTER 14: THE CONFRONTATION WITH VICTOR
Victor arrived at Whitmore Global headquarters on Monday morning.
He wore a navy suit and carried a leather portfolio.
He entered Alexander's office with the confidence of a man who had spent decades being welcomed.
"Alexander."
"Victor."
They shook hands.
Alexander gestured toward a chair.
"Sit down."
Victor sat.
Alexander placed a folder on the desk.
"Do you recognize these?"
Victor opened it.
His face changed.
The folder contained the original financial reports.
The redirected letters.
The transfer records.
The handwritten note.
Victor closed the folder.
"I don't know what you think this proves."
Alexander stared at him.
"I think it proves that Michael Carter was telling the truth."
Victor sighed.
"That man was unstable."
Alexander's expression hardened.
"Don't."
Victor looked surprised.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't insult him."
Victor leaned back.
"Alexander, you're making a mistake."
"Then explain the transfers."
"Those were legitimate transactions."
"Then explain the letters."
"Administrative errors."
"Seven letters?"
Victor said nothing.
Alexander continued.
"Why were they all redirected to your office?"
Victor rubbed his forehead.
"I was protecting the company."
"From what?"
"From an unnecessary scandal."
Alexander stood.
"A scandal?"
Victor became angry.
"Do you know what would have happened if those allegations had become public? Investors would have panicked. The stock would have fallen. Thousands of employees could have lost their jobs."
Alexander looked at him.
"So you destroyed an innocent man's life to protect your reputation?"
Victor stood too.
"I did what was necessary."
Alexander stared at him.
"No. You did what was convenient."
Victor's expression became cold.
"You're forgetting how much I contributed to this company."
Alexander answered quietly.
"And you're forgetting who trusted you."
CHAPTER 15: THE TRUTH GOES PUBLIC
The external investigation lasted several weeks.
Forensic accountants reviewed thousands of transactions.
Former employees were interviewed.
Archived emails were recovered.
The findings confirmed that Victor Hayes had concealed financial irregularities and manipulated the internal investigation against Michael Carter.
Several executives had participated.
Some had knowingly altered reports.
Others had remained silent because they feared losing their positions.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Whitmore Global released an official statement.
The company acknowledged that Michael Carter had been wrongly accused.
It admitted that the investigation conducted nine years earlier had been compromised.
It also announced that the company would cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.
The statement included a formal apology.
But Alexander knew that a statement could not undo what had happened.
Michael was gone.
His wife was gone.
His son had spent years rebuilding a life that should never have been taken from him.
No amount of corporate language could change that.
CHAPTER 16: THE APOLOGY
Alexander requested another meeting with Daniel.
This time, they met in a quiet private room at the Grand Sterling.
The same restaurant where Alexander had humiliated him.
Daniel arrived wearing the same gray hoodie.
Alexander noticed.
But this time, he did not judge it.
He stood as Daniel entered.
"Thank you for coming."
Daniel nodded.
"Of course."
Alexander gestured toward the chair.
"Please sit."
They remained silent for a moment.
Then Alexander spoke.
"I owe you an apology."
Daniel looked at him.
"Yes, you do."
Alexander accepted the answer.
"I judged you before I knew who you were. I spoke to you disrespectfully. I tried to have you removed without listening to what you were saying."
Daniel said nothing.
Alexander continued.
"But what happened to your father was worse."
He looked down.
"I signed the documents that ended his career. I believed the investigation was legitimate. I didn't question the people responsible."