Chapter 7 - THE AUDIT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Margaret arrived with a forensic accountant named Samuel Price.
They met in a private hospital conference room after Khloe's doctors cleared her for a short meeting.
Samuel placed several documents on the table.
"Mrs. Bennett, we've identified unusual expenditures."
Khloe studied the records.
"How unusual?"
"Approximately 4.8 million dollars over eighteen months."
Her stomach tightened.
"Where did it go?"
Samuel slid forward a spreadsheet.
Luxury hotel suites.
Jewelry.
Private travel.
Event planning.
Consulting payments.
Several transfers to a company called Vale Strategic Holdings.
Khloe stared.
"Vale."
Margaret nodded.
"Sienna Vale."
Khloe looked at the next page.
A transfer of $650,000.
Authorized by Julian.
Description:
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY SERVICES.
Khloe frowned.
"What services?"
Samuel shook his head.
"We haven't found supporting work product."
She turned another page.
Then stopped.
"Wait."
Margaret looked up.
"What?"
Khloe pointed to a transaction.
"That's the Riverside Children's Hospital project."
Samuel nodded.
"Yes."
Khloe felt cold.
Her father's trust had earmarked funds for a hospital expansion project.
The company was supposed to build affordable family accommodation near the hospital.
But money had been diverted.
To Sienna's company.
Khloe looked at Margaret.
"Did the board approve this?"
"No."
"Did I approve it?"
"No."
She closed the folder.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Khloe said:
"Call an emergency board meeting."
Margaret nodded.
"On what grounds?"
Khloe looked toward the window.
"Suspected misuse of company funds."
She paused.
"And Margaret?"
May you like
"Yes?"
"Don't tell Julian until the notices are legally required."
