Richard: "We should be careful about how we approach Marcus."
Arthur: "I agree. I do not want another confrontation."
Richard: "Then I suggest we send him a formal invitation to attend a meeting tomorrow. He should be informed that the discussion concerns both his conduct and the financial arrangements under review."
Arthur: "Send it."
Richard: "And what should the invitation say about the security footage?"
Arthur thought for a moment.
Arthur: "Tell him the recording has been preserved. He has a right to know that the incident was documented."
Richard wrote down the instruction.
Arthur then stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the garden looked peaceful.
A gardener was trimming the hedges, and the afternoon sunlight was falling across the stone pathway.
It was difficult to believe that such serious problems were developing inside the house.
Arthur had always imagined that his greatest challenge would be preparing the next generation to manage the family's business.
He had never expected that the process would involve questioning the actions of someone he loved so deeply.
But he understood that avoiding the truth would only make the situation worse.
Meanwhile, Marcus received the formal invitation shortly after six o'clock.
He read it twice.
The message was polite and professional.
It stated that the meeting would address the previous evening's incident, the company's internal authorization procedures, and several financial transactions requiring clarification.
Marcus immediately called his mother.
Marcus: "Did you know about this?"
Eleanor: "Your grandfather told me a meeting would be arranged."
Marcus: "Why didn't you tell me they were investigating my business transactions?"
Eleanor: "Because I do not know the full details."
Marcus: "You knew about it."
Eleanor: "I knew your grandfather was reviewing the accounts. That is not the same as knowing what he has discovered."
Marcus: "And now he wants me to sit in a room with his lawyer and some financial investigator?"
Eleanor: "If you have explanations, you should provide them."
Marcus: "You really think this is fair?"
Eleanor: "I think you need to stop treating every question as an attack."
Marcus became silent.
Eleanor continued.
Eleanor: "Marcus, listen to me carefully. Nobody is asking you to admit to something you did not do. But you need to be honest about everything."
Marcus: "I have always been honest."
Eleanor: "Then you should have nothing to fear from an independent review."
He ended the call without saying goodbye.
For several minutes, he stared at the invitation.
He knew he could not simply ignore it.
If he refused to attend, his grandfather might interpret that as another attempt to avoid responsibility.
But attending would mean answering questions about the documents, the payments, and the business arrangement with Victor.
He opened his laptop and searched through several folders.
He located copies of the authorization documents.
Some appeared complete.
Others contained missing attachments.
He opened one particular file and examined it carefully.
Then he closed it.
His hands were beginning to sweat.
There was one person who might be able to help him understand how much information Arthur had discovered.
Victor.
Marcus called him again.
Victor: "I thought you were going to call me tomorrow."
Marcus: "I need to ask you something."
Victor: "Go ahead."
Marcus: "Have you received any communication from my grandfather's office?"
Victor: "No. Why?"
Marcus: "Are you sure?"
Victor: "Marcus, what is going on?"
Marcus hesitated.
Marcus: "There is an internal review."
Victor: "What kind of review?"
Marcus: "Financial transactions. Some documents are being examined."
Victor's tone changed.
Victor: "Which documents?"
Marcus: "The ones connected to our project."
A long silence followed.
Victor: "You told me everything had been approved."
Marcus: "It was supposed to be."
Victor: "That is not what I asked."
Marcus: "I am trying to sort it out."
Victor: "You need to understand something. I have my own obligations. I cannot be involved in a dispute between you and your grandfather."
Marcus: "Nobody is asking you to get involved."
Victor: "Then why are you calling me?"
Marcus did not answer.
Victor: "Listen. Do not mention my name unless you know exactly what you are talking about."
The call ended.
Marcus lowered the phone.
He now understood that the people he had considered business allies were becoming increasingly concerned about protecting themselves.
The following morning's meeting was no longer simply an uncomfortable family discussion.
It could determine whether Marcus would retain his position, whether the business arrangements would continue, and whether the documents he had submitted would withstand independent examination.
That night, he barely slept.
He repeatedly replayed the previous evening's confrontation in his mind.
He remembered his grandfather pointing toward the security camera.
He remembered Daniel warning him that the recording had been preserved.
And he remembered the expression on Eleanor's face.
For the first time, Marcus began to realize that his grandfather might not be the only person he had disappointed.
He had damaged his relationship with his mother.
He had frightened the people who witnessed the confrontation.
And he had placed his own future at risk.
Yet one question continued troubling him more than anything else.
How much did Arthur actually know?