Gregory approached with a smile.
"Richard. I was hoping to catch you."
Richard looked at him.
"Good. We need to talk."
Gregory noticed Marcus.
"Captain."
Marcus nodded.
"Mr. Shaw."
Gregory turned toward Richard.
"I understand there has been some confusion regarding the maintenance records."
Richard handed him a folder.
"Explain these invoices."
Gregory opened it.
His smile disappeared.
"These are standard accounting documents."
"Then explain why the replacement components were never installed."
Gregory looked at Marcus.
"Captain Reed has misunderstood the technical details."
Richard shook his head.
"Don't blame him."
Gregory closed the folder.
"Richard, I think we should discuss this privately."
"No."
Gregory looked around.
"Excuse me?"
"I said no. We're discussing it here."
Richard stepped closer.
"You charged my company for equipment that was never installed. You modified a navigation system without proper authorization. You attempted to bypass safety warnings."
Gregory raised his hands.
"Those are serious accusations."
"They are supported by documents."
Gregory turned toward Marcus.
"Where did you get those records?"
Marcus answered calmly.
"They came from the vessel's maintenance archive."
"You had no authority to access those files."
Richard interrupted.
"Stop."
Gregory looked at him.
Richard continued.
"You've worked with me for fifteen years. I trusted you."
Gregory's expression hardened.
"Business is business."
Richard stared at him.
"No. Business is built on trust."
Gregory laughed bitterly.
"Trust? You think people stay loyal because they admire you?"
Richard said nothing.
Gregory continued.
"They stay because you pay them."
Richard looked disappointed.
"Perhaps that's what you believe."
Gregory threw the folder onto the bench.
"This conversation is over."
He turned to leave.
But two corporate security officers were approaching from the marina entrance.
Behind them was a woman carrying an official document case.
She introduced herself as an investigator from the company's external auditing firm.
"Mr. Shaw, we need to speak with you regarding the maintenance records."
Gregory stopped.
For the first time, he appeared genuinely frightened.
CHAPTER 13: THE REAL REASON FOR THE MODIFICATION
The investigation revealed that Gregory had been running a sophisticated fraud operation.
He had created several shell companies.
He had submitted false maintenance invoices.
He had diverted millions of dollars through accounts connected to business associates.
The navigation system modification was part of an effort to conceal missing equipment and prevent the vessel's onboard diagnostics from revealing inconsistencies.
The yacht itself had not been the intended target.
It had simply become the place where the evidence was easiest to find.
But investigators discovered something even more troubling.
Gregory had arranged for the Silver Horizon to depart before the scheduled inspection.
He knew the navigation system had been modified.
He knew the discrepancy existed.
And he wanted the vessel to leave before anyone could complete a detailed examination.
Had Marcus followed Richard's original instructions, the evidence might have remained hidden for weeks.
The investigation also found that Gregory had attempted to pressure employees into altering inspection reports.
Several workers eventually agreed to cooperate.
The company terminated its contract with Atlantic Marine Solutions.
Legal proceedings followed.
Richard instructed his lawyers to recover the missing funds and support the investigation.
He also ordered a complete review of every vessel maintained by the company.
For the first time in years, he began asking questions about how his empire actually operated.