Chapter 6 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE LEDGER
Claire discovered the missing money by accident.
She was reviewing vendor payments when she noticed several invoices from a transportation company that no longer existed.
The amounts were small enough to avoid immediate attention.
But repeated.
Month after month.
Year after year.
She traced the payments through legitimate accounting records.
Then found a pattern.
Millions of dollars.
Moved through shell companies.
Approved by Anthony Vescari.
Claire stared at the screen.
Then printed everything.
She carried the documents to Dominic.
He read them silently.
His expression grew darker with every page.
“Where did you find this?”
“In the vendor records.”
He looked up.
“How long did it take?”
“Three hours.”
Dominic stared.
“You found what my auditors missed for six years.”
Claire shrugged.
“They weren't looking for a pattern. They were looking for mistakes.”
He leaned back.
“And you?”
“I was looking for both.”
Dominic studied her.
Then said quietly, “Claire, you've just uncovered evidence of a major fraud.”
Her stomach tightened.
“Against your company?”
“Against several companies.”
She swallowed.
“And Anthony?”
Dominic nodded.
“He's involved.”
Claire looked at the documents.
“Then we need to report it.”
Dominic hesitated.
She noticed.
“Dominic.”
He looked at her.
“Don't tell me you're considering hiding this.”
His jaw tightened.
“I'm considering the consequences.”
“So am I.”
She stepped closer.
“But if you want to become someone different from the man everyone fears, this is where you start.”
Dominic stared at her.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then he picked up his phone.
“Get legal counsel here.”
Claire exhaled.
May you like
And for the first time, Dominic Moretti made a decision that would cost him power.
But might save his soul.
