Chapter 6 - THE ACCUSATION THAT DESTROYED MY LIFE
By noon, the foundation's board had suspended me.
By two, someone had leaked the allegation to a local news outlet.
By four, my photograph appeared beside a headline suggesting I was under investigation for financial misconduct.
I sat in my apartment staring at the screen.
My phone wouldn't stop ringing.
Coworkers.
Reporters.
People I barely knew.
Everyone wanted an explanation.
I had none.
Because I hadn't stolen anything.
At six, someone knocked.
I opened the door.
Leandro stood in the hallway.
He wore a dark coat.
His expression was serious.
“I heard.”
I stepped aside.
He entered.
I closed the door.
Then I burst into tears.
“I didn't do it.”
He turned.
“I know.”
I looked at him.
“How?”
“Because I had my accountants review the foundation's publicly available filings months ago.”
I stared.
“Why?”
His expression changed.
“Because the charity received money through one of my companies.”
He paused.
“And because I suspected someone was using it to hide payments.”
I swallowed.
“Wesley?”
Leandro nodded.
“And possibly Blair.”
I sank onto the sofa.
“Then why didn't you stop them?”
He looked away.
“I didn't have enough evidence.”
I stared at him.
“And now they're blaming me.”
He nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
I wiped my face.
“Sorry doesn't give me my job back.”
“I know.”
“Sorry doesn't fix my reputation.”
“I know.”
I looked at him.
“Then what are you going to do?”
May you like
He sat across from me.
“Help you prove the truth.”
