Chapter 4: The Name on the Transfer
For several seconds, Sophie couldn't speak.
She looked at James.
Then at the document in her hands.
The company listed as the recipient was called Northbridge Holdings.
It was registered in the British Virgin Islands and controlled through several layers of private ownership.
But the name James had mentioned was unmistakable.
Victor Morel.
Sophie's uncle.
Alexandre's younger brother.
The man who had spent twenty years working beside her father.
The man who had attended her university graduation.
The man who had once promised her that the Morel family would always protect one another.
Sophie read the document again.
"How much was transferred?""
James hesitated.
"Approximately $12 million.""
"From Laurent Estates?""
"Yes.""
"Who authorized it?""
"The documents carry Richard Laurent's electronic approval.""
"And my uncle's company received it?""
"That's what the preliminary records indicate.""
Sophie closed her eyes briefly.
"Have you contacted my father?""
"Not yet. I wanted you to see this first.""
"Good.""
She looked toward the conference room.
"Where is Richard?""
"Still inside.""
Sophie walked toward the door.
James followed.
Inside, Richard was standing beside the window, speaking quietly with his attorney.
Camille sat on the opposite side of the table, scrolling through her phone.
The moment Sophie entered, Richard stopped talking.
"Miss Morel?""
Sophie placed the envelope on the table.
"I have another question.""
Richard looked at the documents.
"What now?""
"Did you authorize a transfer of twelve million dollars to Northbridge Holdings?""
Richard's expression changed.
He glanced at his attorney.
"That was a legitimate transaction.""
"Why?""
"Investment restructuring.""
"Who owns Northbridge Holdings?""
Richard hesitated.
"An international investment partner.""
Sophie opened the folder.
"Victor Morel?""
The room went silent.
Camille looked up.
Richard's attorney shifted in his chair.
"Where did you get that information?""
"From your company's financial records.""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Miss Morel, I don't think you understand the structure of the transaction.""
"Then explain it.""
He looked toward James.
"Can we discuss this without an audience?""
Sophie remained standing.
"No.""
Richard exhaled.
"Fine. Northbridge was established as a temporary investment vehicle. The money was intended to support a development project.""
"Which development project?""
"The Westlake redevelopment.""
Sophie turned to James.
"Does that project exist?""
James opened his tablet.
"Our preliminary investigation found no registered development agreement matching that description.""
Richard's face tightened.
"Then your investigation is incomplete.""
"Possibly," Sophie replied.
"But the money left your company yesterday, and the receiving account is connected to my uncle.""
Camille suddenly stood.
"Can we stop pretending my family is the only one doing something wrong?""
Sophie looked at her.
"What does that mean?""
Camille hesitated.
Then she glanced at her father.
Richard's voice became sharp.
"Camille, sit down.""
"No.""
"Sit down.""
She ignored him.
"You're acting like Dad made every decision alone.""
Richard stepped toward her.
"Enough.""
Camille laughed.
"Why? Are you afraid she'll find out?""
Sophie looked between them.
"Find out what?""
Camille folded her arms.
"Your uncle came here several times. He and Dad had private meetings. They weren't discussing development projects.""
Richard's attorney stood.
"I think we should pause this conversation.""
Sophie didn't look at him.
"Why?""
"Because this matter may involve confidential information.""
Camille shook her head.
"Confidential? That's convenient.""
Richard grabbed her arm.
"Camille, don't.""
She pulled away.
"Don't touch me.""
Sophie watched them carefully.
"Camille, what did you witness?""
Camille looked at her.
Then she looked at the folder.
"Your uncle promised my father that if the acquisition went through, certain assets would be transferred to a separate company before the final sale.""
Richard's face went white.
"That's a lie.""
"Then why did you tell me to sign the documents?""
Sophie froze.
"What documents?""
Camille walked toward the table.
"Yesterday, Dad asked me to authorize several transfers. He said they were routine restructuring documents.""
Richard stared at her.
"Stop talking.""
"I signed them.""
Sophie looked down.
"Did you know what they contained?""
"No.""
"Did you receive any money?""
Camille hesitated.
"Yes.""
Richard closed his eyes.
Sophie waited.
Camille finally spoke.
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
James looked up sharply.
"Where is it now?""
"Still in my account.""
Sophie nodded slowly.
"Then you need to preserve every record connected to that payment.""
Camille laughed without humor.
"You think I'm going to cooperate with you?""
"You're free to make your own decisions.""
"Good.""
"But understand something. If you knowingly participated in moving company assets, being Richard Laurent's daughter won't protect you.""
Camille looked toward her father.
For the first time, she seemed genuinely frightened.
Richard sat down.
His attorney whispered something in his ear.
Then Richard looked at Sophie.
"Perhaps we should postpone the acquisition.""
Sophie nodded.
"That's exactly what I'm proposing.""
Richard swallowed.
"How long?""
"Until the investigation is complete.""
"That could take months.""
"Then it will take months.""
He shook his head.
"Laurent Estates cannot survive that long.""
Sophie looked at him.
"That is something you should have considered before allowing company assets to disappear.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"You came here to buy my company. Don't forget that.""
"I haven't.""
"Then act like an investor.""
Sophie stepped closer.
"I am acting like one.""
She picked up the folder.
"And right now, I'm looking at a company whose leadership may have diverted twelve million dollars, whose senior staff have been threatened into silence, and whose executives appear to have treated company funds as personal property.""
Richard looked away.
Sophie turned toward the door.
"James, freeze the acquisition process.""
James nodded.
"Understood.""
"Notify the board. Preserve all records. And contact our forensic accounting team.""
Richard stood abruptly.
"Wait!""
Sophie stopped.
He looked desperate now.
"Please. We can resolve this privately.""
Sophie turned.
"Privately?""
"Yes.""
"You mean without the employees knowing? Without the investors knowing? Without anyone asking where the money went?""
Richard's shoulders dropped.
"I have a family.""
Sophie looked toward Camille.
"Then perhaps you should have protected them by teaching them responsibility.""
She walked out.
Behind her, Richard said something she couldn't quite hear.
But Camille's voice was clear.
"Dad, you promised me nobody would find out.""
Sophie stopped.
She slowly turned back.
"What did you say?""
Camille went pale.
Richard stared at his daughter.
And then, very quietly, he said:
"Camille, you need to leave this room.""
But Sophie had already understood something important.
Camille hadn't simply been spending company money.
May you like
She had known about the transfers.
And she had been promised something in return.
