PART 16:
But it wasn’t Mason. Leonard needed to create a crisis significant enough that no one would question a quick resolution. He stole the files himself using Mason’s credentials, then made sure all evidence pointed to Mason as the culprit. A simple narrative, a convenient scapegoat, case closed. Thomas Whitmore had gone very quiet.
Scarlett looked at him. You want to tell them your part in this, Thomas? Or should I? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Really? Because the SEC has records of communications between Leonard’s offshore accounts and investment funds partially controlled by your family’s firm. Funny coincidence, don’t you think? Agent Morrison pulled out another document. Mr.
Whitmore, we’d like to ask you some questions about your relationship with Mr. Graves and your knowledge of his trading activities. I want my lawyer. That’s your right. But I should inform you that we’ve already frozen the accounts in question and obtained warrants for your financial records. She looked around the table.
Anyone else involved in this arrangement should probably consider cooperating sooner rather than later. The penalties for insider trading are severe, but they’re significantly worse for obstruction. No one moved. The board members sat frozen, looking at Leonard and Thomas like they were radioactive. Leonard finally stood up.
His hands were shaking slightly, but his voice was steady. This is a witch hunt. Scarlett has manufactured this entire scenario because I dared to question her leadership. She’s using federal agents to intimidate board members and Leonard Scarlett’s voice was quiet but sharp. Stop. Just stop. It’s over. It’s not over.
You have circumstantial evidence and speculation. No prosecutor will We have your emails. Sarah pulled up the decrypted communications on the screen. All of them. Every message you sent to your offshore contacts, every instruction about which stocks to buy or sell, every celebration when a major trade paid off. You weren’t even careful about it after the first year.
You thought you were untouchable. The emails scrolled past on the screen. Leonard’s words, Leonard’s instructions, Leonard’s greed laid out in black and white for everyone to see. He sat down slowly. Agent Chen stood. Leonard Graves, replacing you under arrest for securities fraud, insider trading, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice.
You have the right to remain silent. I understand my rights. Leonard’s voice was hollow. I’ll cooperate fully. The agents handcuffed him. It should have felt triumphant watching him being led away, but Scarlett just felt tired. She’d won, but winning looked like an old man in handcuffs, a company in crisis, and a board full of people who’d nearly helped destroy an innocent man’s life.
Thomas Whitmore stood. I’m leaving. My lawyers will be in touch. Sit down, Thomas. Richard Holbrook’s voice was cold. You’re not going anywhere until we understand the full extent of your involvement. I don’t have to You’re still a board member. And as board members, we have a fiduciary duty to this company. If you walk out that door, it’s an admission of guilt.
So, sit down, shut up, and wait for your lawyers like a professional. Thomas sat. Patricia Chen was the first to speak after the agents left with Leonard. Well, this has been educational. “Educational?” Scarlett repeated. “And that’s one word for it. What happens now?” another board member asked. “With the company, I mean.
This is going to be a PR nightmare.” “We tell the truth.” Scarlett closed her laptop. “We issue a statement explaining that an internal investigation uncovered evidence of securities fraud by our former CFO, that we immediately cooperated with federal authorities, and that we’re implementing new oversight procedures to prevent this from happening again.
” “And Mason Reed?” Richard asked. “We issue a public apology. We make it absolutely clear that he was innocent, that he was framed, and that Orion Global takes full responsibility for the damage done to his reputation.” Scarlett looked around the table. “We also offer him whatever compensation he wants, his job back if he wants it, a settlement if he doesn’t, whatever he needs to rebuild his life.
” “That could cost millions,” Patricia said. “I don’t care. We destroyed his life because it was convenient. Making it right is the minimum we can do.” The meeting continued for another two hours. They discussed damage control, legal strategies, interim CFO appointments, how to handle investor panic. Scarlett let them talk while her mind drifted to Mason and Chloe in their small apartment, probably eating breakfast right now, having no idea that the man who’d framed them was currently in federal custody. She needed to tell
him. Not through a press release or a legal settlement, but face-to-face. When the meeting finally ended, Scarlett grabbed her coat and headed for the elevator. Richard caught up with her in the hallway. “That was impressive,” he said. “Risky as hell, but impressive.” “You thought I was crazy.” “I thought you were gambling everything on a hunch. Turns out you were right.
” He paused. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I didn’t support you sooner.” “You supported me when it mattered. That’s enough. Richard nodded and walked away. Scarlett rode the elevator down to the parking garage where her car was waiting. She gave the driver Mason’s address, then spent the entire drive rehearsing what she’d say.
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