Chapter 5: The Money She Thought Nobody Would Find
Sophia stared at the documents.
"What payments?""
Marcus turned the folder toward her.
A spreadsheet displayed a series of transactions made through Mitchell Development Group.
There were hotel reservations, restaurant charges, jewelry purchases, and transfers to a marketing consultancy.
Sophia recognized several of the expenses immediately.
Her face lost its color.
Adrian snatched the folder.
"These are confidential company records. You have no right to show them to her.""
Marcus looked at him.
"I'm showing them to the people involved.""
Adrian scanned the page.
"These are legitimate business expenses.""
Daniel calmly opened his laptop.
"Then you should have no problem explaining the supporting invoices.""
Adrian slammed the folder shut.
"I don't need to explain anything to you.""
Marcus folded his hands.
"Actually, you do.""
Sophia looked between them.
"Marcus, what is this about?""
Daniel answered.
"The audit identified several payments made to a consulting company called SB Strategic Media.""
Sophia froze.
Adrian turned sharply toward her.
"Don't say anything.""
Marcus noticed the reaction.
"Do you know the company?""
Sophia shook her head too quickly.
"No.""
Daniel opened another document.
"The company was registered fourteen months ago. Its listed owner is Sophia Brooks.""
Silence filled the conference room.
Adrian stared at Sophia.
"You told me that company was inactive.""
Sophia's lips parted.
"I didn't know what they were investigating.""
Marcus looked at her.
"You own a consulting company?""
"It was just something I registered.""
"Why?""
"I was thinking about starting a business after graduation.""
Daniel continued.
"Mitchell Development paid the company approximately $84,000 over nine months.""
Sophia's eyes widened.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel turned his laptop around.
"The payments are documented.""
Adrian stood up.
"This is ridiculous. Those payments were approved by my department.""
Marcus looked at him.
"Your department?""
"Yes.""
"And what services did the company provide?""
Adrian hesitated.
"Marketing research. Brand strategy. Digital campaigns.""
Daniel opened another file.
"We requested the campaign reports. So far, the auditors haven't found evidence that the contracted work was completed.""
Sophia's breathing became shallow.
She looked at Adrian.
"You told me the money was part of my compensation.""
Adrian's face hardened.
"Not now.""
"You said it was an advance for the work I would do after graduation.""
"I said not now!""
Marcus watched the exchange carefully.
"Are you saying you received payments without providing the contracted services?""
Sophia shook her head.
"No. I did some work.""
"What work?""
She looked toward Adrian.
He remained silent.
Marcus waited.
Finally, Sophia whispered, "I helped with social media ideas and some presentations.""
Daniel nodded.
"Then we'll need those materials.""
Adrian suddenly laughed.
"This is a joke. You're questioning an ordinary marketing arrangement because you're still angry about Sophia.""
Marcus's expression didn't change.
"Would you like the auditors to investigate the payments independently?""
Adrian's laughter stopped.
"Fine. Investigate whatever you want.""
Marcus turned to Daniel.
"Continue the review. Nobody is being accused until the facts are established.""
Daniel nodded.
"Understood.""
Sophia looked at Marcus.
"Can I talk to you privately?""
"No.""
"Please.""
"We're discussing company records. There's nothing private about this.""
Her eyes filled.
"You're doing this because I rejected you.""
Marcus leaned forward.
"Do you really believe every decision in your life revolves around whether I want you?""
She lowered her head.
For the first time, she had no answer.
An hour later, Adrian stormed into his father's office.
Richard was speaking with a lawyer when the door flew open.
"Dad, we have a problem.""
Richard ended the call.
"What now?""
"Reed's auditors are investigating the marketing payments.""
Richard's expression changed.
"Which payments?""
Adrian paced across the carpet.
"The SB Strategic Media contract.""
Richard slowly stood.
"Who approved it?""
Adrian looked away.
"I did.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Adrian.""
"Don't start.""
"How much?""
"About eighty-four thousand.""
Richard grabbed the edge of his desk.
"Where did the money go?""
Adrian hesitated.
"Some of it went to Sophia.""
Richard stared at him.
"Why?""
"She was helping me.""
"Helping you do what?""
Adrian didn't answer.
Richard walked around his desk.
"Did you create a fake consulting contract?""
Adrian's silence was enough.
Richard's face turned pale.
"Are you out of your mind?""
"I was going to fix it!""
"With what money?""
Adrian raised his voice.
"You're the one who told me to protect the company!""
Richard stared at his son.
"I told you to manage the company, not use it as your personal bank account!""
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
"Listen. If Reed finds out everything, he'll destroy us.""
Richard returned to his chair.
"No. You did this yourself.""
Adrian leaned over the desk.
"Then help me.""
Richard looked at him for several seconds.
"Did Sophia know where the money came from?""
"She knew it was company money.""
"Did she know the contract was false?""
Adrian hesitated.
"I don't know.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"That's not good enough.""
Before Adrian could respond, Richard's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
The caller was the company's legal director.
He answered.
"Richard Mitchell.""
A woman's voice came through the speaker.
"Mr. Mitchell, we need to discuss an additional finding.""
Richard stood.
"What finding?""
"We located an email chain indicating that the SB Strategic Media arrangement was discussed before the first payment. There are references to a personal agreement between Mr. Adrian Mitchell and Ms. Sophia Brooks.""
Adrian went completely still.
Richard looked at him.
"What personal agreement?""
The lawyer continued.
"We're forwarding the records now.""
Richard ended the call.
Then he turned toward his son.
"What did you promise that woman?""
Adrian swallowed.
"Nothing.""
"Adrian!""
He looked away.
"She wanted a job. I wanted her to be with me. That's all.""
Richard stared at him in disbelief.
"You used company money to impress your girlfriend?""
Adrian's voice dropped.
"I thought I could cover it later.""
Richard sank into his chair.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked at his son.
"You need to understand something. If those documents prove what I think they prove, this isn't just a company problem anymore.""
That evening, Sophia sat alone in her apartment.
Adrian hadn't returned her calls.
Her handbag lay on the couch, and her graduation gown was still hanging in the closet.
She opened her laptop and searched for SB Strategic Media.
The company website was still active.
A list of services appeared on the homepage.
Corporate branding.
Market analysis.
Digital advertising.
Business consulting.
Sophia had created most of the website herself.
But the company had never employed anyone.
It had never run a real campaign.
She remembered the first payment Adrian had arranged.
He had told her it was a gift to help her get started.
Then came another payment.
And another.
She had used some of the money to purchase clothes, pay rent, and travel with Adrian.
She had never asked too many questions.
Now she wished she had.
Her phone rang.
It was Marcus.
Sophia nearly dropped it.
She answered immediately.
"Marcus?""
His voice was cold but controlled.
"We need to talk.""
"Yes. Of course. I've been trying to reach you.""
"Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. Bring every document related to SB Strategic Media.""
Sophia swallowed.
"Are you going to fire me?""
"Your employment offer is under review.""
"Marcus, please. I didn't mean to do anything wrong.""
There was a pause.
Then Marcus said something that made her grip the phone tighter.
"Sophia, the auditors found an email dated three months before your company was registered.""
"What email?""
"One written by Adrian.""
Her heart began pounding.
"What did it say?""
Marcus answered quietly.
"It said he needed a way to transfer company money to someone he trusted without attracting attention.""
Sophia went completely still.
May you like
Then Marcus added:
"And your name was the first one he suggested.""
