“Your loan agreement requires disclosure before restricted corporate funds are transferred to related entities.”
Richard stopped.
Chase looked at his father.
“What does that mean?”
I answered.
“It means the money your father quietly moved into your company may have put his own loan in default.”
Patricia stood.
“Richard?”
He stayed silent.
That silence hurt him more than any accusation.
I handed the microphone back to Chase.
“Monday morning, my company will begin a formal audit under the rights granted in your father’s loan agreement. If everything is legitimate, he has nothing to fear.”
Richard’s face turned gray.
“If it isn’t,” I added, “the consequences belong to him.”
Chase grabbed Emily’s wrist.
“We’re leaving.”
She pulled away.
“No.”
One word.
But it was the strongest thing I’d heard all night.
She removed her wedding ring.
Chase stared.
“You’re seriously choosing him?”
Emily looked at me, then her husband.
“No. I’m choosing myself.”
She placed the ring beside his glass.
The marriage lasted less than twenty-four hours before Emily contacted an attorney about an annulment and other legal options.
The financial fallout took longer.
