Chapter 9: The Signature That Shouldn't Have Been There
I read the## Chapter 9: The Signature That Shouldn't Have Been There
I read the document four times.
The first time document four times.
The first time, I checked the names.
The second time, I checked the dates.
The third time, I checked the names.
The second time, I checked the dates.
The third time, I examined the authorization language.
The fourth time, I stopped looking at the document as a wife trying to, I examined the authorization language.
The fourth time, I stopped looking at the document as a wife trying to understand her husband's behavior and started looking at it as the chief executive of a company that might have a serious control problem.
The proposed arrangement involved a consulting firm already under review.
Daniel's signature appeared beneath the authorization.
understand her husband's behavior and started looking at it as the chief executive of a company that might have a serious control problem.
The proposed arrangement involved a consulting firm already under review.
Daniel's signature appeared beneath the authorization.
Margaret's signature appeared beside it.
The date suggested that both had approved the arrangement on the same day.
But Margaret had told me she wasMargaret's signature appeared beside it.
The date suggested that both had approved the arrangement on the same day.
But Margaret had told me she was out of the country at that time.
I picked up my phone and called Evelyn.
“Has the committee verified the document's source out of the country at that time.
I picked up my phone and called Evelyn.
“Has the committee verified the document's source?””
“They've confirmed that a copy exists in the company's records,” she replied.
“They haven't established who prepared it or whether every signature is authentic.””
“Good. Then we need to be precise?””
“They've confirmed that a copy exists in the company's records,” she replied.
“They haven't established who prepared it or whether every signature is authentic.””
“Good. Then we need to be precise about what we know.””
“I agree.””
“Please have the original records preserved and the signature examined independently. I don't about what we know.””
“I agree.””
“Please have the original records preserved and the signature examined independently. I don't want anyone drawing conclusions from a scanned copy.””
Evelyn paused.
“Natalie, I need to ask you something.””
“Go ahead.””
“Are you comfortable want anyone drawing conclusions from a scanned copy.””
Evelyn paused.
“Natalie, I need to ask you something.””
“Go ahead.””
“Are you comfortable remaining involved in this review, given your marriage to Daniel?””
I understood the question.
The investigation concerned my husband.
Even if I had no personal involvement in the transactions, my relationship with him could create the appearance of a conflict.
“I remaining involved in this review, given your marriage to Daniel?””
I understood the question.
The investigation concerned my husband.
Even if I had no personal involvement in the transactions, my relationship with him could create the appearance of a conflict.
“I want the ethics committee to retain independent authority over the investigation,” I said.
“I'll continue making sure want the ethics committee to retain independent authority over the investigation,” I said.
“I'll continue making sure the company preserves records and follows its policies, but the committee should determine the findings and any recommendations involving Daniel.””
“That's the the company preserves records and follows its policies, but the committee should determine the findings and any recommendations involving Daniel.””
“That's the right approach.””
“Please document that decision.””
“I will.””
After we ended the call right approach.””
“Please document that decision.””
“I will.””
After we ended the call, I looked at the clock.
It was nearly, I looked at the clock.
It was nearly eight.
I had spent my first day as CEO discovering that the company I had agreed to lead might have problems reaching into its own executive office.
I was tired, but I wasn't ready to leave.
I wanted to know whether Margaret's signature had been used properly eight.
I had spent my first day as CEO discovering that the company I had agreed to lead might have problems reaching into its own executive office.
I was tired, but I wasn't ready to leave.
I wanted to know whether Margaret's signature had been used properly.
I wanted to know why Daniel had authorized payments with incomplete supporting records.
And I wanted to understand what Paige had meant when she warned that the board might become involved.
My phone vibrated.
A message.
I wanted to know why Daniel had authorized payments with incomplete supporting records.
And I wanted to understand what Paige had meant when she warned that the board might become involved.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel appeared.
*We need to talk tonight. Please don't make any decisions before hearing me from Daniel appeared.
We need to talk tonight. Please don't make any decisions before hearing me out.
I stared at the screen.
Then I replied.
The investigation will proceed independently. If you have relevant information, provide it to out.
I stared at the screen.
Then I replied.
The investigation will proceed independently. If you have relevant information, provide it to the ethics committee.
His response came almost immediately.
I'm your husband, Natalie.
I read the sentence the ethics committee.*
His response came almost immediately.
I'm your husband, Natalie.
I read the sentence slowly.
For ten years, those words had meant partnership.
Trust.
A promise that we would face slowly.
For ten years, those words had meant partnership.
Trust.
A promise that we would face difficult things together.
Now they felt like an appeal to a privilege he believed should protect him from scrutiny.
I put the phone down without answering.
At 8:35, I left difficult things together.
Now they felt like an appeal to a privilege he believed should protect him from scrutiny.
I put the phone down without answering.
At 8:35, I left the building.
Daniel was waiting outside our house when I arrived.
He stood beside his car, his jacket draped over one arm, looking as though the building.
Daniel was waiting outside our house when I arrived.
He stood beside his car, his jacket draped over one arm, looking as though he had aged several years since morning.
When I stepped out of my vehicle, he approached me.
“Can we talk inside?””
I unlocked he had aged several years since morning.
When I stepped out of my vehicle, he approached me.
“Can we talk inside?””
I unlocked the door.
We entered the living room without turning on the the door.
We entered the living room without turning on the television or the music.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel placed a folder on the coffee table.
“I know you've seen the authorization document.””
“Yes.””
He sat down heavily.
“There's an explanation.””
“I'm listening.””
He television or the music.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel placed a folder on the coffee table.
“I know you've seen the authorization document.””
“Yes.””
He sat down heavily.
“There's an explanation.””
“I'm listening.””
He opened the folder and removed several pages.
“The consulting arrangement was part of a project to restructure some opened the folder and removed several pages.
“The consulting arrangement was part of a project to restructure some of our regional operations. The company needed an external partner, and the process was moving quickly.””
“Why of our regional operations. The company needed an external partner, and the process was moving quickly.””
“Why was the vendor selected?””
“They submitted a proposal.””
“Were competing proposals was the vendor selected?””
“They submitted a proposal.””
“Were competing proposals reviewed?””
“I believe so.””
“You believe so?””
He rubbed his face.
“I didn't personally reviewed?””
“I believe so.””
“You believe so?””
He rubbed his face.
“I didn't personally manage every detail.””
“Who did?””
“Paige handled much of the administrative coordination.””
I looked at him manage every detail.””
“Who did?””
“Paige handled much of the administrative coordination.””
I looked at him.
“Did you review the supporting documents.
“Did you review the supporting documents before approving the payments?””
“I reviewed the summaries.””
“Did you verify that the work had been completed?””
“Some of it was still underway.””
“Then why were payments approved as though the before approving the payments?””
“I reviewed the summaries.””
“Did you verify that the work had been completed?””
“Some of it was still underway.””
“Then why were payments approved as though the work had been completed?””
He looked away.
“I trusted the information I was given.””
I let the silence stretch.
That answer work had been completed?””
He looked away.
“I trusted the information I was given.””
I let the silence stretch.
That answer was possible.
Executives relied on employees and delegated responsibilities every day.
But delegation did not was possible.
Executives relied on employees and delegated responsibilities every day.
But delegation did not eliminate accountability.
“Did you disclose any personal relationship with the vendor's owners?””
eliminate accountability.
“Did you disclose any personal relationship with the vendor's owners?””
He looked up sharply.
“What?””
“Did you disclose any relationship between the vendor and Paige?””
His expression changed.
“He looked up sharply.
“What?””
“Did you disclose any relationship between the vendor and Paige?””
His expression changed.
“Why would I need to disclose that?””
“Because if the vendor is connected to an employee involved in processing its payments, that relationship may be relevant to the approval process.””
Why would I need to disclose that?””
“Because if the vendor is connected to an employee involved in processing its payments, that relationship may be relevant to the approval process.””
“I didn't know there was a connection.””
“Then the investigation can establish whether one exists.””
He leaned forward.
“Natalie, you're treating every uncertainty as evidence against me.””
“No. I'm treating uncertainty“I didn't know there was a connection.””
“Then the investigation can establish whether one exists.””
He leaned forward.
“Natalie, you're treating every uncertainty as evidence against me.””
“No. I'm treating uncertainty as a reason to investigate.””
He stood and walked toward the window.
For a moment, I saw the familiar outline of my husband against the glass.
as a reason to investigate.””
He stood and walked toward the window.
For a moment, I saw the familiar outline of my husband against the glass.
I remembered our first apartment.
The nights we ate takeout on the floor because we couldn't afford a proper dining table.
The way he had held me when I received theI remembered our first apartment.
The nights we ate takeout on the floor because we couldn't afford a proper dining table.
The way he had held me when I received the news that my father was seriously ill.
The promises we had made about the kind of people we wanted to become.
I had never expected marriage to be free of mistakes.
news that my father was seriously ill.
The promises we had made about the kind of people we wanted to become.
I had never expected marriage to be free of mistakes.
I had expected us to tell each other the truth when mistakes happened.
Daniel turned back.
“There's something else.””
I waited.
“The arrangement involving yourI had expected us to tell each other the truth when mistakes happened.
Daniel turned back.
“There's something else.””
I waited.
“The arrangement involving your mother-in-law—Margaret—wasn't supposed to happen this way.””
I felt a cold weight settle in my stomach.
“What arrangement?””
He opened the folder again mother-in-law—Margaret—wasn't supposed to happen this way.””
I felt a cold weight settle in my stomach.
“What arrangement?””
He opened the folder again.
“The family investment document.””
“Explain it.””
He hesitated.
“Margaret had money in an investment.
“The family investment document.””
“Explain it.””
He hesitated.
“Margaret had money in an investment account account. I believed I could help her improve the return. The consulting.
I believed I could help her improve the return. The consulting firm was involved in a broader financial arrangement, and I thought it would be a good opportunity.””
“Did she understand what she was signing?””
“I explained the general idea.””
“Did she receive independent advice?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you provide her with a copy?””
He looked down.
“No firm was involved in a broader financial arrangement, and I thought it would be a good opportunity.””
“Did she understand what she was signing?””
“I explained the general idea.””
“Did she receive independent advice?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you provide her with a copy?””
He looked down.
“No.””
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Daniel, why?””
“I thought I was helping her.””
“Then why didn't you give her the paperwork?””
He had.””
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Daniel, why?””
“I thought I was helping her.””
“Then why didn't you give her the paperwork?””
He had no answer.
I picked up the document from the table.
“Why does it show no answer.
I picked up the document from the table.
“Why does it show a date when she was abroad?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you see her sign it?””
He hesitated.
“I a date when she was abroad?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you see her sign it?””
He hesitated.
“I remember discussing the arrangement with her.””
“That wasn't my question.””
He looked at me.
“No. I didn't see her sign this particular copy.””
I set the document down carefully.
The remember discussing the arrangement with her.””
“That wasn't my question.””
He looked at me.
“No. I didn't see her sign this particular copy.””
I set the document down carefully.
The distinction mattered.
It didn't establish that the signature was false.
It did establish that Daniel couldn't personally confirm what had happened.
distinction mattered.
It didn't establish that the signature was false.
It did establish that Daniel couldn't personally confirm what had happened.
“Has money been transferred from her account?””
“I don't know the current balance.””
“Have you checked?””
“No.””
“Then you need to tell the ethics committee everything you know and allow an independent reviewer to determine“Has money been transferred from her account?””
“I don't know the current balance.””
“Have you checked?””
“No.””
“Then you need to tell the ethics committee everything you know and allow an independent reviewer to determine what happened.””
His expression hardened.
“You're talking what happened.””
His expression hardened.
“You're talking about my mother as though she's a company asset.””
“No. I'm talking about protecting someone who trusted you.””
He flinched.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely ashamed about my mother as though she's a company asset.””
“No. I'm talking about protecting someone who trusted you.””
He flinched.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely ashamed.
“I never wanted to hurt her.””
“Then help establish the truth.””
He lowered himself onto.
“I never wanted to hurt her.””
“Then help establish the truth.””
He lowered himself onto the sofa.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, “I thought I could fix everything before anyone noticed.””
I sat opposite him.
“What did the sofa.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, “I thought I could fix everything before anyone noticed.””
I sat opposite him.
“What did you think you could fix?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“The watch. The paperwork. The payments. All of it.””
My heart sank.
“Daniel, are you saying you knew you think you could fix?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“The watch. The paperwork. The payments. All of it.””
My heart sank.
“Daniel, are you saying you knew there were problems with the payments?””
“I knew some of the documentation was incomplete.””
“When did you discover that?””
“Several weeks ago.””
“And you didn't report it there were problems with the payments?””
“I knew some of the documentation was incomplete.””
“When did you discover that?””
“Several weeks ago.””
“And you didn't report it?””
“I asked Paige to resolve the discrepancies.””
“Did you follow up?””
He looked away?””
“I asked Paige to resolve the discrepancies.””
“Did you follow up?””
He looked away.
“No.””
The room seemed suddenly smaller.
Several weeks.
He had known for weeks that the records were incomplete.
During that time, he had continued.
“No.””
The room seemed suddenly smaller.
Several weeks.
He had known for weeks that the records were incomplete.
During that time, he had continued working, attending meetings, making decisions, and telling me that everything was fine.
He had allowed Paige to keep the watch.
He working, attending meetings, making decisions, and telling me that everything was fine.
He had allowed Paige to keep the watch.
He had let Margaret believe her gift was on its way.
And when I asked questions, he had told me to go home had let Margaret believe her gift was on its way.
And when I asked questions, he had told me to go home.
“Why didn't you tell me?”” I asked.
He looked at me with tired eyes.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of losing everything.””
I waited.
He continued.
“I.
“Why didn't you tell me?”” I asked.
He looked at me with tired eyes.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of losing everything.””
I waited.
He continued.
“I spent years building my position here. I thought if I reported the problems, people would assume I was spent years building my position here. I thought if I reported the problems, people would assume I was incompetent. I thought I could correct the paperwork, recover whatever needed to be recovered, and keep it from becoming a bigger issue.””
“And Paige?””
He swallowed.
incompetent. I thought I could correct the paperwork, recover whatever needed to be recovered, and keep it from becoming a bigger issue.””
“And Paige?””
He swallowed.
“She said she could sort it out.””
“Did she explain how?””
“No.””
“Did she ask“She said she could sort it out.””
“Did she explain how?””
“No.””
“Did she ask you to conceal anything?””
He hesitated.
“She told me not to involve the board until we understood what had happened.””
I studied him.
“ you to conceal anything?””
He hesitated.
“She told me not to involve the board until we understood what had happened.””
I studied him.
“Daniel, do you hear yourself?””
He lowered his head.
“I know how it sounds.””
“It's not about how it sounds. It's aboutDaniel, do you hear yourself?””
He lowered his head.
“I know how it sounds.””
“It's not about how it sounds. It's about what you did.””
He looked up.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
“Yes,” I said quietly.
“You did.””
He reached for what you did.””
He looked up.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
“Yes,” I said quietly.
“You did.””
He reached for my hand.
I didn't pull away immediately.
For a moment, I looked at his fingers resting my hand.
I didn't pull away immediately.
For a moment, I looked at his fingers resting over mine.
These were the hands that had held mine through grief, celebrated my successes, and promised me that we would always tell each other the truth.
I wanted to believe that the man sitting across from me was still the person I had married.
But love could not turn an admission over mine.
These were the hands that had held mine through grief, celebrated my successes, and promised me that we would always tell each other the truth.
I wanted to believe that the man sitting across from me was still the person I had married.
But love could not turn an admission into an answer.
And regret could not erase weeks of concealment.
I gently withdrew my hand.
“Tell into an answer.
And regret could not erase weeks of concealment.
I gently withdrew my hand.
“Tell the investigators everything.””
He nodded.
“And don't contact Paige about the investigation.””
His head lifted.
“Why?””
“Because she may be a witness, the investigators everything.””
He nodded.
“And don't contact Paige about the investigation.””
His head lifted.
“Why?””
“Because she may be a witness, and you may be a subject of the review. Any communication that could influence evidence or testimony would be inappropriate.””
He stared at me.
“You think and you may be a subject of the review. Any communication that could influence evidence or testimony would be inappropriate.””
He stared at me.
“You think I would try to influence her?””
“I think the investigation needs to be protected from even the appearance of interference.””
He looked away.
I would try to influence her?””
“I think the investigation needs to be protected from even the appearance of interference.””
He looked away.
For several seconds, I thought the conversation might finally beFor several seconds, I thought the conversation might finally be over.
Then he spoke again.
“There's something you don't know about Paige.””
I felt my shoulders stiffen.
“What?””
He looked toward the hallway, as though he were afraid someone might hear us.
“She's been keeping over.
Then he spoke again.
“There's something you don't know about Paige.””
I felt my shoulders stiffen.
“What?””
He looked toward the hallway, as though he were afraid someone might hear us.
“She's been keeping copies of emails and approvals from my office.””
“Why?””
“I don't know exactly copies of emails and approvals from my office.””
“Why?””
“I don't know exactly what she intends to do with them.””
“Daniel.””
He met my eyes.
“She told me that if I ever tried to remove her from my office, those records what she intends to do with them.””
“Daniel.””
He met my eyes.
“She told me that if I ever tried to remove her from my office, those records could become a problem for me.””
I stared at him.
“ could become a problem for me.””
I stared at him.
“Are you telling me she threatened you?””
“Not in those exact words.””
“What did she say?””
He swallowed.
“She said that people who forget who helped them get where theyAre you telling me she threatened you?””
“Not in those exact words.””
“What did she say?””
He swallowed.
“She said that people who forget who helped them get where they are tend to regret it.””
I leaned back.
The woman who had humiliated me that morning had apparently spent are tend to regret it.””
I leaned back.
The woman who had humiliated me that morning had apparently spent years cultivating influence around my husband.
She had access to his schedule, his years cultivating influence around my husband.
She had access to his schedule, his correspondence, and his administrative approvals.
And now Daniel was admitting that he had known she possessed records he feared might damage him correspondence, and his administrative approvals.
And now Daniel was admitting that he had known she possessed records he feared might damage him.
“Did you report the threat?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
I shook my head slowly.
“You keep saying that.
“Did you report the threat?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
I shook my head slowly.
“You keep saying that.””
He looked at me.
“I know.””
“No, Daniel. You keep trying to handle things privately, and every.””
He looked at me.
“I know.””
“No, Daniel. You keep trying to handle things privately, and every time you do, someone else loses the ability to make an informed decision.””
He said nothing.
I stood and carried the folder to the table.
“Tomorrow morning, you will provide a complete statement to the time you do, someone else loses the ability to make an informed decision.””
He said nothing.
I stood and carried the folder to the table.
“Tomorrow morning, you will provide a complete statement to the ethics committee. You will preserve all relevant records, and you will cooperate fully with the independent review.””
He nodded.
I looked ethics committee. You will preserve all relevant records, and you will cooperate fully with the independent review.””
He nodded.
I looked at him one last time.
“And until the committee determines whether your involvement creates at him one last time.
“And until the committee determines whether your involvement creates a conflict with your duties, you should not participate a conflict with your duties, you should not participate in decisions concerning Paige or the transactions under review.””
His expression tightened.
“Are you removing me from my position?””
“No. I'm establishing appropriate boundaries while the facts are examined.””
He looked as though he wanted to argue.
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
All the color drained from his face.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
He opened a message and read it twice.
in decisions concerning Paige or the transactions under review.””
His expression tightened.
“Are you removing me from my position?””
“No. I'm establishing appropriate boundaries while the facts are examined.””
He looked as though he wanted to argue.
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
All the color drained from his face.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
He opened a message and read it twice.
Then he turned the phone toward me.
The message was from Paige.
You need to stop Natalie before she finds the original file. If she sees what was submitted under her name, none of us will be able to explain it.
I stared at the screen.
Under my name?
I had never authorized a transaction connected to Paige's consulting firm.
I had never signed a financial document involving Margaret's investmentThen he turned the phone toward me.
The message was from Paige.
You need to stop Natalie before she finds the original file. If she sees what was submitted under her name, none of us will be able to explain it.
I stared at the screen.
Under my name?
I had never authorized a transaction connected to Paige's consulting firm.
I had never signed a financial document involving Margaret's investment.
And I had never approved any arrangement with that vendor.
I looked at Daniel.
“What original file is she talking about?””
He shook his head slowly.
“I don't know.””
.
And I had never approved any arrangement with that vendor.
I looked at Daniel.
“What original file is she talking about?””
He shook his head slowly.
“I don't know.””
But his expression told me he understood the danger.
I took out my phone and called Evelyn.
“I'm sorry to contact you this late,” I said when she answered.
“We have a new development. The investigation needs to determine whether any documents were submitted using my name or authorization.””
Evelyn's voice became alert.
“Do you have evidence of that?””
“I have a message from Paige referring to an original file and a submission under my name. I'll forward it immediately.””
But his expression told me he understood the danger.
I took out my phone and called Evelyn.
“I'm sorry to contact you this late,” I said when she answered.
“We have a new development. The investigation needs to determine whether any documents were submitted using my name or authorization.””
Evelyn's voice became alert.
“Do you have evidence of that?””
“I have a message from Paige referring to an original file and a submission under my name. I'll forward it immediately.””
“Please do. I'll notify the ethics committee.””
I sent the screenshot.
Then I looked at Daniel.
He was“Please do. I'll notify the ethics committee.””
I sent the screenshot.
Then I looked at Daniel.
He was sitting motionless, staring at the message.
For the first time since this began, the question sitting motionless, staring at the message.
For the first time since this began, the question wasn't whether he had lied to his wife or favored his wasn't whether he had lied to his wife or favored his secretary.
The question was whether someone had used the authority secretary.
The question was whether someone had used the authority of Bellweather's incoming CEO to approve something I had never seen.
And if that had happened, the problem was of Bellweather's incoming CEO to approve something I had never seen.
And if that had happened, the problem was no longer confined to Daniel's office.
It had reached the very position I had been appointed to protect.
At 10:46 that night, Evelyn called back.
“Natalie,” she said, “we've located a reference to the file in the document register.””
My pulse quickened.
“Where is it?””
“It's stored in the restricted archive. The access history shows that it was moved shortly before no longer confined to Daniel's office.
It had reached the very position I had been appointed to protect.
At 10:46 that night, Evelyn called back.
“Natalie,” she said, “we've located a reference to the file in the document register.””
My pulse quickened.
“Where is it?””
“It's stored in the restricted archive. The access history shows that it was moved shortly before your appointment was announced.””
“Who moved it?””
There was a pause.
“The archive record identifies the account used, but we need to verify who was operating it.””
“Send the record to the committee your appointment was announced.””
“Who moved it?””
There was a pause.
“The archive record identifies the account used, but we need to verify who was operating it.””
“Send the record to the committee.””
“We will.””
I looked at Daniel.
He had gone completely still.
Evelyn continued.
“There is.””
“We will.””
I looked at Daniel.
He had gone completely still.
Evelyn continued.
“There is another problem. The file contains an authorization associated with a transaction that appears to have been approved before you formally took office.””
I frowned.
“That should be impossible. I hadn't started work another problem. The file contains an authorization associated with a transaction that appears to have been approved before you formally took office.””
I frowned.
“That should be impossible. I hadn't started work.””
“Exactly.””
I gripped the edge of the table.””
“Exactly.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Who submitted it?””
“We're still verifying that.””
I ended the call and stared at the phone.
For the first time, I understood why Paige had been so confident that.
“Who submitted it?””
“We're still verifying that.””
I ended the call and stared at the phone.
For the first time, I understood why Paige had been so confident that morning.
She hadn't merely believed Daniel would protect her.
She might have believed she possessed something that could threaten the entire executive team.
And somewhere in Bellweather's restricted archive was a document bearing my name—one that someone had apparently been desperate to keep me from seeing.
I looked at Daniel.
“Tomorrow morning,” I said, “we find out who put my name on that file.””
He nodded, but his face remained pale.
Because we both understood the same thing.
If someone morning.
She hadn't merely believed Daniel would protect her.
She might have believed she possessed something that could threaten the entire executive team.
And somewhere in Bellweather's restricted archive was a document bearing my name—one that someone had apparently been desperate to keep me from seeing.
I looked at Daniel.
“Tomorrow morning,” I said, “we find out who put my name on that file.””
He nodded, but his face remained pale.
Because we both understood the same thing.
If someone had forged or misused my authorization before my first day as CEO, then the person responsible had forged or misused my authorization before my first day as CEO, then the person responsible hadn't simply lied to me.
They had planned for a future in which I would be held accountable for something I had never hadn't simply lied to me.
They had planned for a future in which I would be held accountable for something I had never approved.
May you like
And the original document might finally reveal who had been planning it all along. approved.
And the original document might finally reveal who had been planning it all along.
