Both Maxwell and Tessa turned. Maribel Grayson, regal despite her cane and age, stepped into the office. She looked smaller than she once had, but her eyes remained sharp. They held sorrow, and something colder beneath it.
Maxwell’s anger wavered. “Mother, why. Why did you involve her instead of coming to me.”
“Because every time I told you something was amiss, you refused to hear it,” she replied. “You insisted that loyalty was armor. You wanted to believe the people in your company were incapable of betrayal. I needed someone who would look without bias.”
Tessa swallowed and pointed at the documents. “Large sums are missing. Transfers that do not match expenses. Authorizations you never gave. Someone is siphoning funds through shell operations linked to the charity division. Whoever is responsible knows the systems intimately. They know how to imitate your signature.”
Maxwell stared at the papers as if they might vanish if he blinked. “Who is it,” he asked, voice cracking. “Who has done this.”
Maribel hesitated. The silence stretched, heavy with grief. “Cassian Morello.”
Maxwell’s jaw tightened. His mind swirled. Cassian, his right hand at the company. Best friend since school. a man he trusted like family. The idea scraped against Maxwell’s beliefs until sparks flew. “No. He would never. You must be mistaken.”
“He has already filed motions to seize temporary control of the corporation,” Maribel said. “He claims you are mentally unfit. That stress has clouded your judgment. He intends to take everything.”
Before Maxwell could respond, the study door opened again. Lawrence Berrington, the family lawyer, entered with a briefcase and grim posture. “I have confirmed the filings,” he said. “Cassian is attempting an emergency injunction. The hearing is in three hours. If he succeeds, you lose authority over your assets. Possibly the estate.”
Maxwell felt the floor tilt. His voice broke. “How could this happen without me noticing.”
“You trusted the wrong person,” Lawrence said. His tone was not cruel, but it was not forgiving either. “Trust is admirable. It is also dangerous.”
Tessa stepped forward, still wringing her hands. “I have gathered some evidence. Digital logs. signature comparisons. flagged transfers. If we organize them, they will form enough proof to defend you. I am sorry I frightened you. I am sorry I overstepped. But I did not want you to lose everything.”