He had heard enough to understand that Marcus had misrepresented the situation to an outside business partner.
But he still wanted the complete truth.
Arthur: "Did you tell him that I personally authorized the transaction?"
Marcus did not answer.
Richard placed his pen on the table.
Eleanor looked at her son.
Eleanor: "Marcus, please tell the truth."
Marcus finally spoke.
Marcus: "Yes. I told him that you had approved it."
Eleanor lowered her head.
Arthur remained motionless.
He had spent decades teaching his family that a person's word was one of the most valuable things they possessed.
Now his grandson was admitting that he had used that trust to create commitments that had never been properly approved.
Arthur: "Why?"
Marcus: "Because I believed the project would succeed."
Arthur: "That explains what you hoped would happen. It does not explain why you decided to deceive people."
Marcus: "I did not think of it as deception."
Arthur: "What would you call it?"
Marcus looked toward the window.
He had no answer.
The meeting was paused for several minutes so Helen could prepare a more detailed list of the transactions requiring clarification.
During the break, Eleanor followed Marcus into the adjoining room.
She closed the door behind them.
Eleanor: "How long has this been going on?"
Marcus: "Mom, please do not start."
Eleanor: "I am asking you a question."
Marcus: "I told them what happened."
Eleanor: "You told them part of what happened."
Marcus looked irritated.
Marcus: "What do you want me to say?"
Eleanor: "I want to know whether there is anything else."
Marcus: "There is nothing else."
Eleanor: "Look at me."
He reluctantly turned.
Eleanor: "Did you use your grandfather's name on any other documents?"
Marcus remained silent.
Her expression changed.
Eleanor: "Marcus."
Marcus: "There were a few other authorizations."
Eleanor stepped backward.
Eleanor: "How many?"
Marcus: "I do not know exactly."
Eleanor: "You do not know?"
Marcus: "Some were related to the same project. Others were temporary documents that were supposed to be replaced."
Eleanor put one hand against the wall.
She was struggling to process what she was hearing.
Eleanor: "Do you understand what you have done?"
Marcus: "I said I was going to fix it."
Eleanor: "You have put your grandfather in a position where he has to investigate his own grandson."
Marcus: "I never wanted that."
Eleanor: "And last night? Did you want to grab him? Did you want to frighten him?"
Marcus: "I was angry."
Eleanor: "That is not an excuse."
Marcus looked down.
Eleanor: "I have spent years defending you. Every time your grandfather questioned one of your decisions, I told him you needed another opportunity. Every time you made a mistake, I believed you would learn from it."
She paused, fighting back tears.
Eleanor: "But I cannot keep protecting you from the consequences of your own actions."
Marcus: "You are my mother."
Eleanor: "Exactly. I am your mother. That is why I am telling you the truth."
Marcus said nothing.
For a moment, he looked almost like the young boy Eleanor remembered.
But the expression quickly disappeared.
Marcus: "Are you going to abandon me too?"
Eleanor: "I am not abandoning you. I am refusing to lie for you."
She opened the door and returned to the conference room.
Marcus remained alone.
For the first time, he began to understand that his mother's support was no longer something he could automatically expect.
When everyone returned to the conference room, Helen presented a preliminary summary of her findings.
She explained that several transactions needed further examination, particularly those involving the outside company connected to Victor.
Some payments appeared to have been made without complete documentation.
Others had been processed using authorization references that could not immediately be verified.
The investigation also identified differences between the amounts described in the original proposals and the amounts actually transferred.
Helen made it clear that these findings did not, by themselves, establish criminal wrongdoing.
Additional records, independent verification, and statements from the relevant parties would be necessary.
Arthur listened carefully.
Richard then explained the immediate steps that would be taken.
Marcus's financial approval authority would be suspended temporarily.
All disputed payments would be reviewed.
The company would contact relevant business partners through official channels.
The original electronic documents and security recordings would be preserved.
No employee would be instructed to alter, destroy, or conceal any records.
Marcus was asked to provide a complete written explanation and submit every document connected to the transactions.
Marcus looked increasingly frustrated.
Marcus: "So I am being removed from everything?"
Arthur: "You are being temporarily restricted from financial decisions while the investigation is underway."
Marcus: "That is basically the same thing."
Arthur: "No. It is a precaution."
Marcus: "You are making everyone think I am guilty."
Arthur: "Your actions created questions. The investigation will establish the answers."
Marcus: "You have already made up your mind."
Arthur: "If I had made up my mind, we would not be sitting here asking you for an explanation."
The meeting continued for another hour.
At the end, Richard handed Marcus a formal written notice outlining the temporary measures.
Marcus signed to acknowledge receipt.