Chapter 5
“Mr. Gilbert, something’s wrong!”
Barbara burst into the office, panic–stricken. “The regulators are here! They say they’re going to audit our books!”
Errol’s face drained of color instantly.
“When did this happen?”
“Just now! They said they received a tip–off that we’re involved in financial fraud with the Crestfield Bank acquisition!”
“That’s impossible! You’re the only one handling this…” Errol suddenly stopped mid–sentence.
Barbara froze, her expression turning
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sharp. “What do you mean by that? Are you accusing me?”
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” I said as I entered the adjacent conference room, carrying two cups of coffee.
The two investigators from the regulatory agency were flipping through the files.
“Ms. Hayward, this whistleblower report is quite detailed,” said Mr. Reid, the director, as he looked up at me. “It seems Rosewood Financial has done its homework.”
I smiled slightly. “It’s our responsibility. As a financial institution, it’s our duty to report any irregularities we come across.”
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.
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“Mr. Reid!” Errol burst through the door. “There must be some mistake-”
“Mr. Gilbert, please, have a seat.” Mr. Reid gestured for him to sit. “Can you explain the financial data behind the Crestfield Bank acquisition?”
“This project was handled by Ms. Ford. Maybe you should ask her-”
“Are you suggesting that these issues are Ms. Ford’s responsibility?” I asked softly.
Only then did Errol notice I was present. “You? What are you doing here?”
“Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier,” I said, sliding a business card across the table. “Amelia, founder of Rosewood Financial.”
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“You!” He sprang to his feet. “You’re the one who reported us?”
“Sit down,” Mr. Reid said firmly. “First, let’s get these numbers sorted.”
At that moment, Barbara walked in.
When she saw me, her face drained of all color.
“Ms. Ford,” I greeted her with a smile. “I hear you’re responsible for this project. Could you explain these financial statements to us?”
I turned on the projector.
On the screen was a tampered balance sheet, with several key points circled in red.
“This…” Barbara stammered, unable to find the words.
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“As far as I know,” I said slowly, “the actual assets of the Gilbert Group don’t look this impressive.”
Barbara looked at Errol, her eyes pleading for help.
But Errol turned his gaze away. “This project was indeed handled by Ms. Ford. I’m not familiar with the specific numbers…”
“Mr. Gilbert!” Barbara could hardly believe what she was hearing. “You said…”
“Ms. Ford, it seems you have a lot to say?” Mr. Reid’s piercing gaze shot across the
room.
Ten minutes later, Barbara was escorted out for questioning.
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Before she left, she glared at Errol, her eyes red with tears. “You can’t do this to me! You ordered all of this!”
Errol’s voice was cold as he responded, “Don’t make baseless accusations. What wouldn’t you do to climb up the ladder?”
As the door closed behind her, I saw the despair in Barbara’s eyes.
That feeling–I knew it all too well.
“Mr. Gilbert, can we now discuss the Crestfield Bank matter?” I opened the file in front of me. “They’re preparing to withdraw their cooperation.”
“What?” Errol sprang to his feet. “That’s impossible! Mr. Jones from Crestfield Bank already gave us his word..”
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“I’m afraid, I interrupted, “Mr. Jones has already signed with us, Rosewood Financial.”
I slid a contract across the table.
Errol’s hands began to tremble.
If the Crestfield Bank project fell through, his company’s cash flow would be severed. It was his last lifeline.
“What exactly do you want from me?” he growled, his teeth clenched.
I glanced at my watch. “In ten minutes, major media outlets will receive news about the Gilbert Group’s alleged financial fraud.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I stood up, looking down at him. “Didn’t you say I was nothing?”
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The commotion in the hallway grew louder.
“Mr. Gilbert!” The secretary rushed in, her face pale with panic. “All the banks are demanding payment, they’re calling in the loans!”
“It’s not just the banks, I added, “Westbrook Bank just sent a notice. They’re initiating a full audit of all your projects.”
Errol collapsed into his chair.
The news had already started to break:
**“Shock! The Gilbert Group Accused of Financial Fraud“**
**“Executives from the Gilbert Group Taken in for Questioning“**
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*“Gilbert Group Stock Crashes in the Wake of Scandal“**
My phone vibrated non–stop, media outlets calling for interviews.
I gazed out at the setting sun, an overwhelming sense of calm washing over
- me.
“This is just the beginning,” I said, walking toward the door. I turned to glance at the shattered Errol. “Didn’t you say all I could do was buy groceries and cook?”
“I’m going to show you what a real financial expert looks like.”
He tried to follow, but was immediately surrounded by reporters:
“Mr. Gilbert, is Ms. Barbara your mistress?”
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“How many of the Gilbert Group’s projects are in jeopardy?”
“Rumors suggest you’ve been using your position to funnel personal gains–how do you respond?”
I stepped into the elevator, listening to the news broadcast overhead.
“It’s been reported that the Gilbert Group’s Vice President, Barbara, has been taken in for questioning. All the group’s projects are now suspended…”
The elevator doors slowly closed.
Three years ago, it was in this very elevator that I watched my dreams crumble at his hands.
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Now, I was going to make him feel what it was like to lose everything.
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