Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT EVERYTHING COLLAPSED
The internal review lasted three weeks.
It uncovered more than the Provence expenses.
Mallory had submitted false invoices.
Inflated client entertainment charges.
And directed company funds toward a consulting business owned by a former colleague.
The total exceeded two hundred thousand dollars.
Ryan was devastated.
He had approved many of the payments without reviewing the supporting documents.
He had trusted Mallory.
Completely.
Now the evidence was undeniable.
The board suspended Mallory pending further investigation.
She stormed into Ryan's office.
“You can't let Katherine do this!”
Ryan looked exhausted.
“Mallory.”
“She hates me!”
He shook his head.
“This isn't about Katherine.”
Mallory laughed bitterly.
“Of course it is.”
Ryan placed the report on the desk.
“These invoices are false.”
Mallory went pale.
“I can explain.”
He looked at her.
“Then explain.”
She swallowed.
For the first time, she had no answer.
Ryan leaned back.
He remembered Provence.
The breakfast.
The cooking class.
The dinner.
The way Katherine begged him to keep one promise.
He had defended Mallory.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Now he understood something terrible.
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He had trusted the wrong person.
And lost the one who had been trying to protect him.
