Nobody seemed comfortable discussing what had happened the previous evening.
The confrontation between Arthur and Marcus had become the subject of quiet conversations throughout the house. Some employees had witnessed the incident directly, while others had heard about it shortly afterward. Everyone knew that something serious had happened, but nobody knew exactly what Arthur intended to do next.
At approximately eight thirty, Daniel arrived at Arthur's office carrying a large black folder.
Daniel had worked for Arthur for nearly two decades. He knew the elderly businessman well enough to recognize when something was troubling him. Usually, Arthur greeted him with a friendly remark or asked about his family.
That morning, however, Arthur barely looked up from his desk.
Daniel: "Good morning, Mr. Bennett. I have prepared everything you requested."
Arthur: "Thank you, Daniel. Put the documents on the desk."
Daniel carefully placed the folder beside the financial reports.
Arthur opened it and began reviewing the contents.
There were printed copies of the hallway security footage, records of the previous evening's incident, and a separate collection of financial documents related to Marcus's recent business activities.
Arthur examined each item slowly.
Daniel remained standing nearby.
Daniel: "The original recording has been preserved. I also arranged for a separate backup to be stored securely."
Arthur: "Good. Nobody has attempted to access the system?"
Daniel: "Not since you gave me the instruction."
Arthur: "And the other cameras?"
Daniel: "Everything is functioning normally."
Arthur nodded.
For several minutes, he continued examining the paperwork.
Then he reached a particular page and stopped.
It was a payment authorization connected to a company that had recently entered into a business arrangement with the Bennett family.
The document indicated that Arthur had personally approved a substantial transfer.
But there was a problem.
Arthur had never authorized the payment.
He placed the paper on the desk and looked at Daniel.
Arthur: "Do you remember this transaction?"
Daniel leaned forward and examined the document.
Daniel: "Yes, sir. I remember seeing the payment request several months ago."
Arthur: "Who submitted it?"
Daniel: "Marcus brought it to the finance department. He explained that you had already discussed the arrangement with him."
Arthur: "Did you see me sign this?"
Daniel hesitated.
Daniel: "No, sir. I did not."
Arthur: "Then why was it processed?"
Daniel: "Marcus said the approval had been given verbally. He also told the accounting department that delaying the payment could damage an important business relationship."
Arthur removed his glasses.
Arthur: "And nobody contacted me to verify it?"
Daniel: "Unfortunately, no."
The elderly businessman remained silent.
He had spent years building a company culture based on accountability. He believed that every major financial decision should be supported by proper documentation.
Yet the records suggested that his grandson had gradually created a system in which people were willing to accept his explanations without checking whether they were true.
Arthur was not prepared to assume that every questionable transaction represented deliberate wrongdoing.
There could be mistakes.
There could be misunderstandings.
But the documents required a proper investigation.
Arthur: "I want an independent review of every transaction connected to this arrangement."
Daniel: "Should we include the other projects?"
Arthur: "Yes. Everything. I do not want anyone deciding which records are important before we have examined them."
Daniel: "Understood."
Arthur: "And make sure the employees involved are treated fairly. I do not want anyone blamed simply because they followed an instruction from someone they believed had authority."
Daniel nodded.
That was one of the reasons people respected Arthur.
Even when he was angry, he rarely made decisions based on emotion alone.
He wanted facts.
He wanted evidence.
And he wanted every person involved to have an opportunity to explain their actions.
At nine o'clock, Arthur's attorney, Richard Collins, arrived at the estate.
Richard was a highly experienced legal adviser who had represented Arthur and several of his companies for many years. He had handled property transactions, business disputes, inheritance arrangements, and complex negotiations involving multiple partners.
When he entered the office, he immediately noticed the serious atmosphere.
Richard: "Arthur, Daniel told me that something happened last night."
Arthur: "Something happened, Richard. And I am afraid it is connected to a much larger problem."
Richard took a seat.
Arthur explained the confrontation with Marcus, the security footage, and the financial documents that had recently come to his attention.
He did not exaggerate what had happened.
He described the incident exactly as he remembered it.
Richard listened carefully before examining the documents.
Richard: "Have you watched the recording?"
Arthur: "Not yet."
Richard: "Would you like us to review it together?"
Arthur looked toward the monitor on his desk.
For a moment, he seemed reluctant.
Watching the confrontation again would mean seeing his own grandson grabbing his clothing and ignoring repeated requests to stop.
But he understood that the recording was important.
Arthur: "Yes. Let's review it."
Daniel activated the security system and opened the recording from the previous evening.
The footage showed the hallway from a fixed camera near the ceiling.
There was no sound at first, so Daniel opened the corresponding audio recording.
The three men watched in silence.