At eight forty-five the next morning, Marcus arrived at the estate.
He wore a dark suit and carried a leather briefcase.
He entered the main hall and noticed that several people were already waiting.
Daniel greeted him politely.
Daniel: "Good morning, Mr. Marcus."
Marcus: "Where is my grandfather?"
Daniel: "He is in the conference room with Mr. Collins."
Marcus: "And the financial investigator?"
Daniel: "She will be joining shortly."
Marcus nodded and walked toward the conference room.
When he entered, Arthur was seated at the far end of the table.
Richard sat beside him, with several documents arranged neatly in front of them.
Eleanor was also present.
Marcus looked around.
He had expected a smaller meeting.
Instead, the room was arranged almost like a formal business hearing.
Arthur gestured toward an empty chair.
Arthur: "Good morning, Marcus. Please sit down."
Marcus placed his briefcase beside the chair and sat.
Marcus: "I assume this is about last night."
Arthur: "It is about several things."
Marcus: "Then perhaps we should start with the fact that you are making a family disagreement look like a criminal investigation."
Richard looked up.
Richard: "Nobody has made that determination, Mr. Marcus."
Marcus: "Then why are lawyers and investigators involved?"
Arthur: "Because the company has responsibilities that cannot be ignored."
Marcus leaned back.
Marcus: "You could have spoken to me privately."
Arthur: "I tried to discuss the financial concerns with you yesterday."
Marcus: "You accused me of doing something wrong."
Arthur: "I asked you to explain transactions that did not have proper authorization."
Marcus: "And I told you they were legitimate."
Arthur: "Then today is your opportunity to explain them."
Marcus glanced at the documents.
His confidence began to weaken.
Arthur opened the first folder and placed a copy of the disputed authorization on the table.
Arthur: "Do you recognize this document?"
Marcus looked at it.
Marcus: "Yes."
Arthur: "Did I personally sign it?"
Marcus: "You approved the arrangement."
Arthur: "That was not my question."
Marcus shifted in his chair.
Marcus: "I was told that the approval had been given."
Arthur: "By whom?"
Marcus: "We discussed it before."
Arthur: "When?"
Marcus: "I do not remember the exact date."
Arthur looked toward Richard.
Richard made a note.
Arthur: "Do you have any written communication confirming that I approved this transaction?"
Marcus opened his briefcase.
He removed several printed emails and placed them on the table.
Marcus: "I have correspondence showing that the project was discussed."
Arthur examined the pages.
Arthur: "These emails show that you discussed the possibility of an investment. They do not show that I approved the payment."
Marcus: "I understood that I had authority to proceed."
Arthur: "You had authority to negotiate within specific limits. You did not have unlimited authority to commit company funds."
Marcus looked toward his mother.
Eleanor remained silent.
Marcus: "This is exactly what I mean. Every decision I make is questioned."
Arthur: "Because every important decision must be supported by evidence."
At that moment, Helen entered the room carrying her laptop.
She greeted everyone and took a seat.
Helen: "Good morning. I have completed an initial comparison of the available financial records."
Arthur: "Please proceed."
Helen opened her laptop and displayed a summary of the transactions.
Marcus stared at the screen.
The first page contained dates, payment amounts, approval references, and the names of the companies involved.
Helen: "We have identified several transactions that require additional clarification. Some documents appear incomplete, and certain approval references do not match the company's internal records."
Marcus interrupted.
Marcus: "Those are administrative issues."
Helen looked at him calmly.
Helen: "They may be. That is why we are asking for clarification."
Marcus: "Everything was done for legitimate business purposes."
Helen: "Then the supporting documentation should help establish that."
She moved to the next page.
Helen: "There is also a repeated reference to an outside company involved in several of these arrangements."
Marcus's expression changed.
Helen noticed it.
Helen: "Are you familiar with this company?"
Marcus: "Yes. It is one of our business partners."
Helen: "Who introduced you to its representatives?"
Marcus: "I did."
Helen: "And did Mr. Bennett approve the relationship?"
Marcus hesitated.
Marcus: "He was aware of the project."
Arthur watched him carefully.
Helen then displayed another document.
It contained correspondence between Marcus and Victor.
Marcus recognized the name immediately.
Helen: "We would like to understand the nature of these communications."
Marcus looked toward Arthur.
Arthur: "You said the arrangement was approved. We need to establish what was agreed, who agreed to it, and whether the company was legally authorized to make the commitments described in these documents."
Marcus remained silent.
For the first time during the meeting, he appeared unable to produce an immediate explanation.
Helen continued.
Helen: "There is another matter. The electronic file associated with one authorization appears to have been created at a time when Mr. Bennett was not present at the office."
Marcus looked down.
Richard slowly closed his notebook.
Arthur leaned forward.
Arthur: "Marcus, I want you to answer one question honestly."
Marcus raised his eyes.
Arthur: "Did you prepare or submit any document using my name without receiving my direct authorization?"