Marcus nodded.
Helen: "In particular, we need to understand why the external company was told that final approval had been obtained when the internal records show otherwise."
Marcus: "I believed the approval was going to be given."
Helen: "That does not explain why you represented it as already completed."
Marcus looked at Arthur.
Marcus: "I thought I was doing what was best for the company."
Arthur: "You keep repeating that. But you have not yet explained why you believed the company's procedures could be ignored."
Marcus lowered his eyes.
Arthur continued.
Arthur: "You wanted responsibility. You wanted people to recognize your abilities. But responsibility does not mean having the freedom to make decisions without accountability."
Marcus: "I understand."
Arthur: "Do you understand why I am disappointed?"
Marcus looked at him.
For the first time, his voice became quieter.
Marcus: "Yes."
Arthur: "Then tell me."
Marcus struggled to find the words.
Marcus: "Because I did not trust you enough to accept that you might disagree with me."
Arthur listened.
Marcus: "I wanted to prove that I could do something important on my own. I thought if the project succeeded, you would finally see that I was capable."
Arthur remained silent.
Marcus continued.
Marcus: "I convinced myself that the documents could be completed later. I thought the money would come back quickly. I did not think everything would become this complicated."
Arthur: "And the other decisions?"
Marcus looked down.
Marcus: "I should have asked for permission."
Arthur: "That is correct."
Marcus: "I should not have used your name."
Arthur nodded slowly.
Marcus: "And I should never have grabbed you that night."
Eleanor looked at her son.
His apology was the first one that sounded genuine.
But Arthur did not immediately accept it as the end of the matter.
Arthur: "I appreciate you acknowledging that."
Marcus: "I am sorry, Grandfather."
Arthur: "I hear you."
Marcus waited for something more.
But Arthur continued.
Arthur: "An apology is important. However, it does not erase what happened."
Marcus nodded.
Arthur: "You need to understand that the investigation will continue. The company must establish the full financial position, and any responsibilities or legal obligations will be handled appropriately."
Marcus: "I understand."
Arthur: "Your temporary restrictions will remain in place until the review is completed."
Marcus's face fell.
Marcus: "For how long?"
Arthur: "Until we have a complete picture."
Marcus: "And what happens to my position?"
Arthur looked directly at him.
Arthur: "That depends on the findings and on what you do from this point forward."
Marcus did not argue.
The meeting ended without another confrontation.
But the most important moment came after everyone else had left.
Marcus remained in the conference room.
Arthur was collecting the documents when his grandson approached him.
Marcus: "Grandfather, can I ask you something?"
Arthur looked up.
Arthur: "Of course."
Marcus: "Do you think I can ever make things right?"
Arthur put down the folder.
Arthur: "That depends on whether you are willing to do the difficult work."
Marcus: "What kind of work?"
Arthur: "Telling the truth even when it costs you something. Accepting responsibility even when nobody is forcing you to. And learning to respect people even when they cannot give you what you want."
Marcus listened.
Arthur: "You do not rebuild trust by asking people to forget what happened. You rebuild it by giving them reasons to believe that you have changed."
Marcus looked down.
Marcus: "I wish I had understood that earlier."
Arthur: "So do I."
For a moment, the two men stood quietly.
Then Marcus stepped closer.
Marcus: "I am sorry I hurt you."
Arthur looked at his grandson.
Arthur: "I know."
Marcus: "I mean it."
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: "Then let your actions prove it."
Marcus left the conference room.
This time, he did not slam the door or complain about being treated unfairly.
He simply walked away.
Over the following weeks, the investigation continued.
Helen completed a detailed financial review.
The company contacted the relevant external partners and requested additional supporting documentation.
Some transactions were found to have legitimate business purposes but had been processed through improper approval procedures.
Others remained disputed and required further legal examination.
The review also established that Marcus had exceeded the authority assigned to him.
His position within the company was formally changed, and he was no longer permitted to make independent financial commitments on behalf of the family.
The decision was difficult.
But Arthur believed it was necessary.
He also introduced stronger internal controls.
Major payments would require documented approval.
Financial responsibilities would be separated among different departments.
Electronic authorization records would be preserved.
And no employee would be permitted to process a substantial payment based solely on verbal instructions from a family member.
The changes were not intended to punish Marcus.
They were designed to prevent the same problems from happening again.
As for the disputed transactions, the company continued working with its legal advisers to determine the appropriate steps.
Where money had been transferred without proper authorization, recovery and settlement options were examined.