Chapter 6 - The Boardroom Betrayal
The internal investigation lasted five days.
During that time, Claire was temporarily removed from access to the archived Harlow files.
She continued working on the current operational review, but the atmosphere around her had changed.
People who had previously greeted her now avoided eye contact.
Graham Pike became noticeably friendlier.
That worried her more than his hostility.
On Friday morning, Daniel summoned her to the executive conference room.
Martin Shaw was there.
So was Evan.
Claire stopped at the doorway.
“Why is my husband here?”
Martin answered.
“Evan requested an opportunity to clarify the situation.”
Claire looked at Evan.
He didn't meet her eyes.
Daniel gestured toward a chair.
“Let's hear him out.”
Evan stood.
“I want to apologize for the confusion surrounding the complaint. My account may have been accessed without my knowledge.”
“May have been?” Claire asked.
“I don't know exactly what happened.”
“Did you report me?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize someone to use your account?”
“No.”
Graham opened a folder.
“We have a technical report indicating that the complaint originated from Evan's workstation.”
Claire looked at him.
“Then why are we discussing uncertainty?”
Graham raised both hands.
“Because workstation access doesn't prove who typed the message.”
Daniel turned toward Evan.
“Were you at your desk when the report was submitted?”
Evan hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Were you using your account?”
“I don't remember.”
Claire felt something inside her settle.
She had spent years giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Now she was tired of doing it.
“I'm requesting an independent forensic review,” she said. “And I want all communications relating to this matter preserved.”
Daniel nodded.
“Agreed.”
Graham closed his folder.
“There's another issue.”
He placed a printed report on the table.
It contained evidence that Claire's current operational investigation had uncovered irregular payments totaling $2.8 million.
The payments had been approved by Graham's department.
Claire looked at the report.
“You knew about this?”
Graham's expression remained neutral.
“I approved the transactions based on information provided by regional management.”
“Which manager?”
He looked toward Evan.
Claire followed his gaze.
Evan's face had gone white.
Daniel slowly turned.
“Evan?”
Evan stood abruptly.
“This is absurd.”
Claire's voice was quiet.
“Did you approve those payments?”
“I processed requests. I didn't control the vendor.”
“Did you know the vendor was receiving duplicate payments?”
“No.”
Graham spoke.
“Your signature appears on several approvals.”
“I was following instructions.”
“From whom?”
Evan looked at Graham.
Then at Daniel.
Finally, he looked at Claire.
“I can't discuss this without legal representation.”
Daniel closed the meeting.
“Then we'll continue with counsel present.”
Outside the room, Claire caught up with Daniel.
“What aren't you telling me?”
He stopped.
“Your husband isn't the only person involved.”
“Who else?”
“I suspect someone inside the acquisition team has been manipulating the records.”
“Graham?”
“I don't have proof.”
“Then what do you have?”
Daniel hesitated.
“An anonymous source claims the original Harlow documents were altered by someone who now holds a senior position at Vale Horizon.”
Claire's stomach tightened.
“Who?”
Before Daniel could answer, his phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then his expression changed.
“Where?”
He ended the call.
“Claire, we need to get back inside.”
“Why?”
“Someone has leaked your old resignation letter to the press.”
By lunchtime, a local business publication had posted an article suggesting that Claire had falsified her professional history and manipulated her way into a senior position.
The headline was brutal.
EXECUTIVE'S WIFE HIRED AFTER THIRTEEN-YEAR CAREER GAP — QUESTIONS RAISED OVER CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The article included a photograph of Claire entering Vale Horizon.
Her phone began ringing.
Lily called first.
“Mom, what is happening?”
Claire took a breath.
“I'm handling it.”
“People are sending me the article.”
“Don't read the comments.”
“Dad says it's all a misunderstanding.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“Your father has his own explanation to give.”
That evening, Evan arrived home after midnight.
Claire was sitting at the kitchen table.
“Did you speak to the reporter?” she asked.
“No.”
“Did you give them my letter?”
“No.”
“Did you tell them I was unqualified?”
“Claire, I didn't.”
She studied him.
Then she asked the question she had been avoiding.
“Are you having an affair?”
Evan froze.
“What?”
“Are you involved with someone at work?”
He looked offended.
“Where is this coming from?”
“From the way you've been behaving. From the secrets. From the phone calls you take outside. From the fact that you seem more concerned about what happens to your reputation than what happens to your wife.”
Evan looked away.
That was answer enough.
Claire stood.
“Who is she?”
He opened his mouth.
But before he could speak, his phone lit up on the counter.
A message appeared.
MARCIA: She doesn't know about the money yet. We need to meet before Daniel finds the second account.
Claire read it.
Evan snatched the phone.
Too late.
“Marcia?” Claire whispered.
May you like
Evan said nothing.
And Claire finally understood that the betrayal might have been much bigger than a stolen career.
