"The financial investigator found an account connected to one of Richard's companies. It was closed shortly before the board meeting."
"How much money?"
"Approximately 2.1 million dollars."
Daniel frowned.
"Could he have transferred it?"
"That's what we're trying to establish."
Helen opened her laptop.
"There is a reference to an old project called the Riverside Community Center."
Daniel studied the document.
"What was that?"
"A development project intended to provide affordable housing and community services."
"Was it ever built?"
"Partially. The construction stopped several years ago."
Daniel looked confused.
"Why?"
"Officially, because the project became financially unviable. But the records suggest that money intended for construction was diverted."
Helen showed him several photographs.
The images displayed an unfinished building surrounded by weeds and broken fencing.
The original plan included a medical clinic, a small library, affordable apartments, and a community hall.
"Who was supposed to benefit from this project?" Daniel asked.
"Families who couldn't afford housing in the city."
Daniel looked at the photograph again.
"Then people were waiting for homes that were never built."
Helen nodded.
"Exactly."
He remembered the families in his father's notebook.
He remembered the foundation beneficiaries.
And he realized that Richard's crimes had affected far more people than the financial statements could reveal.
"Can we visit the site?"
Helen hesitated.
"We can, but I don't want you confronting anyone. The property is under investigation."
Daniel agreed.
The following day, he visited Riverside with Victoria.
The place was almost abandoned.
Concrete walls stood unfinished. Windows were missing, and the entrance was covered with weeds.
An elderly woman sat on a nearby bench.
She was watching the building.
Daniel approached her.
"Good afternoon. Did you live here?"
The woman shook her head.
"No. But my daughter was supposed to."
Victoria sat beside her.
"What happened?"
The woman introduced herself as Margaret Lewis.
She explained that her daughter had applied for one of the affordable apartments several years earlier.
The family had been promised a home.
They had paid a small reservation deposit and waited for construction to finish.
But the project stopped.
The company eventually refused to return the money.
"My daughter had two children," Margaret said. "She was living in a small apartment with a leaking roof. She thought this place would give them a better life."
Daniel looked toward the unfinished building.
"Did anyone explain why construction stopped?"
Margaret shook her head.
"They told us the company had financial problems. Then nobody answered our calls."
Victoria looked upset.
"How much did your daughter lose?"
"Almost all her savings."
Daniel sat quietly.
Margaret continued.
"She eventually moved away. She doesn't talk about this place anymore."
She looked at him.
"People like us don't have lawyers. We don't know who to complain to. We just try to survive."
Daniel felt a familiar ache in his chest.
His father had spent his life trying to help people like Margaret.
And now Daniel was beginning to understand why.
He looked at the unfinished building.
"This project shouldn't remain abandoned."
Margaret gave a tired smile.
"Perhaps. But people have been saying that for years."
Victoria placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe this time someone will listen."
That evening, Helen received an important update.
The investigators had found evidence that the Riverside project had been used to disguise unauthorized transfers.
Several construction payments had been made to companies that never supplied materials.
The money had then moved into accounts linked to Richard.
More importantly, one of the accounts had been used to purchase property overseas.
Richard had attempted to move the remaining funds before the investigation became public.
But the bank had flagged the transactions.
The money was now frozen.
Helen called Victoria.
"We have enough evidence to request a formal review of the entire Riverside project."
Victoria immediately told Daniel.
He listened carefully.
"Can we recover the money for the families?"
"Possibly," she replied. "But it will take time."
Daniel nodded.
"Then we should start."
Meanwhile, Richard Collins sat alone in a hotel suite.
His company accounts had been frozen.
His lawyers were advising him not to make public statements.
Several former employees had agreed to testify.
The man who had once controlled every room he entered was now struggling to control his own future.
He called James Wilson.
"Have you found the missing agreement?"
James sounded nervous.
"No."
"Then why are you calling me?"
"The investigators have discovered the Riverside transfers."
Richard stood.
"What?"
"They have identified the accounts."
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
"You told me those transactions were untraceable!"
"They were, until the original records appeared."
Richard paced across the room.
"Who gave them the documents?"
"Michael's son."
Richard stopped.
"That waiter?"
"Yes."
For a moment, Richard said nothing.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"Of all the people in the world."
James lowered his voice.
"Richard, I think we need to cooperate."
Richard turned.
"Cooperate?"
"The evidence is becoming overwhelming. We may be able to negotiate."
Richard stared at him.
"You think I built everything I have just to surrender?"
James said nothing.
Richard ended the call.
He walked toward the window and looked down at the city.
He remembered the young man at the restaurant.
Daniel had been wearing a cheap uniform and carrying a tray.
He had seemed insignificant.
Someone who could easily be threatened, dismissed, or replaced.
Yet that young man had become the greatest threat Richard had ever faced.
Richard picked up his phone.
He called an old contact.
"I need a meeting."
"About what?"
"An exit plan."