“You told me those were legitimate business expenses.”
Daniel looked furious.
“They were supposed to be temporary!”
Claire remained composed.
“Calling a transaction temporary doesn’t establish that it was authorized.”
Daniel suddenly pointed at me.
“You knew about this before we got married!”
“Yes,” I replied. “I knew there were irregularities.”
Everyone turned toward me.
“Our auditors identified concerns eight weeks ago. I wanted independent confirmation before drawing conclusions.”
I paused.
“And some part of me hoped you weren’t involved.”
But the night before the wedding, I had overheard a conversation that changed everything.
Daniel had been speaking with Margaret.
They believed I was asleep.
His mother asked how long he intended to wait before persuading me to move my investments into joint accounts.
Daniel laughed.
“Give me six months. Once she quits working and gets pregnant, she won’t be going anywhere.”
Margaret replied, “Good. Her money can help clean up the problems at the company.”
