The Girl They Thought Was Worthless

“Say## Chapter 6: The Betrayal Inside Bennett Holdings

“Say his name again.””

I stood beside my bedroom window, one his name again.””

I stood beside my bedroom window, one hand gripping the phone so tightly that my fingers had begun to ache.

Ryan's breathing was uneven on the other end.

“Thomas Reed,” he repeated. hand gripping the phone so tightly that my fingers had begun to ache.

Ryan's breathing was uneven on the other end.

“Thomas Reed,” he repeated.

“Your father's chief financial officer. Daniel says Thomas authorized the transfer.””

For several seconds, I couldn't speak.

Thomas Reed had worked for my father for fourteen years. He had been present at my eighteenth birthday dinner, had congratulated me when I graduated from college, and had once spent an entire afternoon helping me understand the financial structure of my first investment.

He had always treated me like a niece.

When I was younger, he used to bring me chocolate from his business trips and tell me that the secret to making money was learning when to walk away from a bad deal.

Now Ryan was telling me that Thomas might have “Your father's chief financial officer. Daniel says Thomas authorized the transfer.””

For several seconds, I couldn't speak.

He had always treated me like a niece.

When I was younger, he used to bring me chocolate from his business trips and tell me that the secret to making money was learning when to walk away from a bad deal.

Now Ryan was telling me that Thomas might have helped move eighteen million dollars out of my family's company.

“Why would Thomas do that?”” I finally asked.

“I don't know.””

“Did Daniel give you any evidence?””

“He said he had records.””

“What records?””

“Emails. Payment instructions. Something showing who authorized the transfer.””

“And you believed him?””

Ryan hesitated.

“I believed he was frightened.””

“That isn't the same thing.””

“I know.””

I closed my eyes.

“Ryan, if Daniel has evidence, he needs to give it to the investigators. Not to you. Not to me.””

“He won't.””

“Why?””

“Because he thinks your father will bury him before he gets helped move eighteen million dollars out of my family's company.

“Why would Thomas do that?”” I finally asked.

“I don't know.””

“Did Daniel give you any evidence?””

“He said he had records.””

“What records?””

“Emails. Payment instructions. Something showing who authorized the transfer.””

“And you believed him?””

Ryan hesitated.

“I believed he was frightened.””

“That isn't the same thing.””

“I know.””

I closed my eyes.

“Ryan, if Daniel has evidence, he needs to give it to the investigators. Not to you. Not to me.””

“He won't.””

“Why?””

“Because he thinks your father will bury him before he gets a chance to explain.””

I let out a bitter laugh.

“My father has already hired lawyers to investigate the missing money.””

“And Thomas is sitting inside your father's company with access to everything.””

The thought made my stomach turn.

Ryan continued, “Daniel said Thomas knew about the acquisition negotiations. He knew the deal had been a chance to explain.””

I let out a bitter laugh.

“My father has already hired lawyers to investigate the missing money.””

“And Thomas is sitting inside your father's company with access to everything.””

The thought made my stomach turn.

Ryan continued, “Daniel said Thomas knew about the acquisition negotiations. He knew the deal had been suspended. And he knew the transfer would leave a paper trail pointing toward me.””

I stared at the reflection of my face in the dark glass.

“Then why would Thomas frame you?””

“Because suspended. And he knew the transfer would leave a paper trail pointing toward me.””

I stared at the reflection of my face in the dark glass.

“Then why would Thomas frame you?””

“Because I was the easiest person to blame.””

“That sounds convenient.””

“I know how it sounds.””

“Do you?””

“Yes, Maya. I do. You think I'm lying because that's what you expect from I was the easiest person to blame.””

“That sounds convenient.””

“I know how it sounds.””

“Do you?””

“Yes, Maya. I do. You think I'm lying because that's what you expect from me now.””

I didn't answer.

He was right about one thing.

I no longer knew how to distinguish his fear from his manipulation.

Finally, I said, “Give Daniel's contact information to the investigators.””

“I can't.””

“Then I can't help you.””

“Maya, please. I'm asking you to listen.””

“You've had eleven months of me listening, Ryan. I'm done being the person you call when everyone else refuses to believe you.””

I me now.””

I didn't answer.

He was right about one thing.

I no longer knew how to distinguish his fear from his manipulation.

Finally, I said, “Give Daniel's contact information to the investigators.””

“I can't.””

“Then I can't help you.””

“Maya, please. I'm asking you to listen.””

“You've had eleven months of me listening, Ryan. I'm done being the person you call when everyone else refuses to believe you.””

I ended the call.

Then I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the wall until the first gray light of morning appeared beyond the curtains.

At seven, ended the call.

Then I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the wall until the first gray light of morning appeared beyond the curtains.

At seven, I called my father.

He answered with a tired voice.

“Maya?””

“Ryan says Thomas Reed authorized the transfer.””

The silence was immediate.

“Did Ryan provide evidence?””

“He says Daniel Mercer has emails and payment instructions.””

“Where is Daniel?””

“I don't know. Ryan won't tell me.””

My father exhaled.

I called my father.

He answered with a tired voice.

“Maya?””

“Ryan says Thomas Reed authorized the transfer.””

The silence was immediate.

“Did Ryan provide evidence?””

“He says Daniel Mercer has emails and payment instructions.””

“Where is Daniel?””

“I don't know. Ryan won't tell me.””

My father exhaled.

“I'm going to contact legal.””

“Dad, Thomas was in the conference room yesterday. He saw the documents. He had access to the investigation.””

“I know.””

“What if he's involved?””

“Then we'll establish that through the“I'm going to contact legal.””

“Dad, Thomas was in the conference room yesterday. He saw the documents. He had access to the investigation.””

“I know.””

“What if he's involved?””

“Then we'll establish that through the evidence.””

“And until then?””

“Until then, we don't accuse him.””

I pressed my fingers against my forehead.

“I'm scared that we're giving the wrong person time to destroy everything.””

“So am I,” my evidence.””

“And until then?””

“Until then, we don't accuse him.””

I pressed my fingers against my forehead.

“I'm scared that we're giving the wrong person time to destroy everything.””

“So am I,” my father admitted.

“That's why we're going to handle this carefully.””

An hour later, he summoned me to Bennett Holdings.

When I entered his office, he was standing beside the conference table with Patricia Cole and two attorneys. A father admitted.

“That's why we're going to handle this carefully.””

An hour later, he summoned me to Bennett Holdings.

When I entered his office, he was standing beside the conference table with Patricia Cole and two attorneys. A laptop displayed a list of recent access requests to the financial system.

Thomas Reed was not in the room.

“Where is he?”” I asked.

“On his way to a scheduled meeting with the board,” my father replied.

“Does laptop displayed a list of recent access requests to the financial system.

Thomas Reed was not in the room.

“Where is he?”” I asked.

“On his way to a scheduled meeting with the board,” my father replied.

“Does he know we're reviewing his authorization records?””

“He knows the investigation is ongoing.””

“That's not what I asked.””

My father looked at the attorneys.

“We're not going to discuss confidential investigative steps outside the appropriate team.””

I understood.

He didn't trust the room enough to speak freely.

That realization he know we're reviewing his authorization records?””

“He knows the investigation is ongoing.””

“That's not what I asked.””

My father looked at the attorneys.

“We're not going to discuss confidential investigative steps outside the appropriate team.””

I understood.

He didn't trust the room enough to speak freely.

That realization frightened me almost as much as Ryan's accusation.

Patricia turned her laptop toward us.

“We've reviewed the system logs from the morning of the transfer. The initial authorization frightened me almost as much as Ryan's accusation.

Patricia turned her laptop toward us.

“We've reviewed the system logs from the morning of the transfer. The initial authorization was submitted through Mr. Whitmore's credentials, but a separate administrative account altered the payment instructions shortly afterward.””

“Whose account?”” I asked.

“We're still verifying ownership. The account was registered to the treasury department.””

My father frowned.

“Can we establish whether Thomas accessed it?””

“Not conclusively from the logs alone. The account was accessible to several authorized users.””

I leaned forward.

“What about the money's destination?””

Patricia opened another document.

“The funds passed through was submitted through Mr. Whitmore's credentials, but a separate administrative account altered the payment instructions shortly afterward.””

“Whose account?”” I asked.

“We're still verifying ownership. The account was registered to the treasury department.””

My father frowned.

“Can we establish whether Thomas accessed it?””

“Not conclusively from the logs alone. The account was accessible to several authorized users.””

I leaned forward.

“What about the money's destination?””

Patricia opened another document.

“The funds passed through Northbridge Advisory. A portion was then transferred to two additional entities. We're working with the relevant financial institutions to trace the complete movement.””

“Did any of it return to Whitmore Capital?””

“No.””

“Did any of it return to Bennett Holdings?””

“No.””

The room seemed to grow smaller.

My father turned to the attorneys.

“Prepare the necessary requests Northbridge Advisory. A portion was then transferred to two additional entities. We're working with the relevant financial institutions to trace the complete movement.””

“Did any of it return to Whitmore Capital?””

“No.””

“Did any of it return to Bennett Holdings?””

“No.””

The room seemed to grow smaller.

My father turned to the attorneys.

“Prepare the necessary requests for the original records. And restrict nonessential access to the transaction archive.””

One attorney nodded.

“We'll need to preserve the existing logs before making changes.””

“Do for the original records. And restrict nonessential access to the transaction archive.””

One attorney nodded.

“We'll need to preserve the existing logs before making changes.””

“Do it.””

As Patricia closed her laptop, I noticed something on the screen.

A small notification appeared in the corner.

*Administrative access request approved.*

I pointed at it.

“What was that?””

Patricia reopened the access panel.

“Someone has requested elevated access to the transaction archive.””

“Who?””

She clicked the notification.

Her expression changed.

“The request came from Thomas Reed's office.””

My father went very still.

“Was it approved?””

Patricia read the entry it.””

As Patricia closed her laptop, I noticed something on the screen.

A small notification appeared in the corner.

*Administrative access request approved.*

I pointed at it.

“What was that?””

Patricia reopened the access panel.

“Someone has requested elevated access to the transaction archive.””

“Who?””

She clicked the notification.

Her expression changed.

“The request came from Thomas Reed's office.””

My father went very still.

“Was it approved?””

Patricia read the entry again.

“Yes. At 7:43 this morning.””

Nobody spoke.

Thomas had requested access to the very records that might establish whether he was involved.

My father picked up his phone.

“Cancel the request. Preserve the approval trail. And notify legal.””

Patricia acted immediately.

Then my father looked at me.

“You're going home.””

“Dad—”

“Now again.

“Yes. At 7:43 this morning.””

Nobody spoke.

Thomas had requested access to the very records that might establish whether he was involved.

My father picked up his phone.

“Cancel the request. Preserve the approval trail. And notify legal.””

Patricia acted immediately.

Then my father looked at me.

“You're going home.””

“Dad—”

“Now, Maya.””

“I can help.””

“You can help by not becoming another person someone can use to reach this investigation.””

I wanted to argue.

Instead, I gathered my handbag.

At the door, my father called after me.

“Maya.””

I turned.

“Whatever happens, don't meet Ryan or Daniel alone. Promise, Maya.””

“I can help.””

“You can help by not becoming another person someone can use to reach this investigation.””

I wanted to argue.

Instead, I gathered my handbag.

At the door, my father called after me.

“Maya.””

I turned.

“Whatever happens, don't meet Ryan or Daniel alone. Promise me.””

“I promise.””

I left the building with the uncomfortable feeling that every familiar face in my life had become a question I couldn't answer.

At 11:26 a.m., Thomas Reed called me.

I watched his me.””

“I promise.””

I left the building with the uncomfortable feeling that every familiar face in my life had become a question I couldn't answer.

At 11:26 a.m., Thomas Reed called me.

I watched his name flash across the screen.

For a moment, I considered letting it go to voicemail.

Then I answered.

“Thomas.””

“Maya. Thank goodness. I've been trying to reach you.””

His voice sounded exactly as I remembered it: warm, composed, faintly amused.

“What do you need?””

“I heard you've been asking questions about the Whitmore name flash across the screen.

For a moment, I considered letting it go to voicemail.

Then I answered.

“Thomas.””

“Maya. Thank goodness. I've been trying to reach you.””

His voice sounded exactly as I remembered it: warm, composed, faintly amused.

“What do you need?””

“I heard you've been asking questions about the Whitmore transaction.””

I froze.

“Who told you that?””

“People talk in this business. I wanted to make sure you're not getting yourself into something you don't understand.””

I walked into my kitchen and closed the door.

“What makes you think I don't understand it transaction.””

I froze.

“Who told you that?””

“People talk in this business. I wanted to make sure you're not getting yourself into something you don't understand.””

I walked into my kitchen and closed the door.

“What makes you think I don't understand it?””

“Because you're emotionally involved.””

The words stung.

“I'm not involved in the investigation.””

“Of course?””

“Because you're emotionally involved.””

The words stung.

“I'm not involved in the investigation.””

“Of course not. But you were dating Ryan Whitmore. That makes the situation complicated.””

“I know.””

“Then let the professionals handle it.””

I not. But you were dating Ryan Whitmore. That makes the situation complicated.””

“I know.””

“Then let the professionals handle it.””

I leaned against the counter.

“That's exactly what I'm doing.””

“Good.”” He paused.

“And Maya? If Ryan contacts you, don't let him persuade you to take his side. Men under pressure leaned against the counter.

“That's exactly what I'm doing.””

“Good.”” He paused.

“And Maya? If Ryan contacts you, don't let him persuade you to take his side. Men under pressure sometimes say whatever they need to say.””

I stared at the wall.

It was almost word for word what my father had told me about Ryan.

“Thomas, can I ask you something?””

“Anything.””

“Did you authorize the eighteen-million-dollar transfer?””

The silence lasted only a second.

But I heard it.

“No,” he said.

“Absolutely not.””

“Did you have access to the account that altered the payment instructions?””

“I oversee the financial systems. Of course I have access to certain administrative records.””

“Then you understand why the investigators need to review them.””

“Certainly. And they should. I have nothing to hide.””

“That's good to hear.””

He laughed softly.

“You sound like your father.””

“So everyone keeps sometimes say whatever they need to say.””

I stared at the wall.

It was almost word for word what my father had told me about Ryan.

“Thomas, can I ask you something?””

“Anything.””

“Did you authorize the eighteen-million-dollar transfer?””

The silence lasted only a second.

But I heard it.

“No,” he said.

“Absolutely not.””

“Did you have access to the account that altered the payment instructions?””

“I oversee the financial systems. Of course I have access to certain administrative records.””

“Then you understand why the investigators need to review them.””

“Certainly. And they should. I have nothing to hide.””

“That's good to hear.””

He laughed softly.

“You sound like your father.””

“So everyone keeps telling me.””

His voice became more serious.

“Maya, I want you to remember something. The person who appears most frightened isn't necessarily the person who is innocent.””

I looked down at my phone.

“Thank you for the advice.””

After we hung up, I immediately called my father.

I told him everything.

He didn't interrupt once.

When I finished, he said, “Do not speak to Thomas again about telling me.””

His voice became more serious.

“Maya, I want you to remember something. The person who appears most frightened isn't necessarily the person who is innocent.””

I looked down at my phone.

“Thank you for the advice.””

After we hung up, I immediately called my father.

I told him everything.

He didn't interrupt once.

When I finished, he said, “Do not speak to Thomas again about the investigation.””

“Do you think he knows we suspect him?””

“I think he knows the records are being reviewed. That's enough reason to be cautious.””

I sat at the kitchen table.

“Dad, what if Thomas is involved? He knows every system in the company.””

“Then we'll secure the evidence before anyone the investigation.””

“Do you think he knows we suspect him?””

“I think he knows the records are being reviewed. That's enough reason to be cautious.””

I sat at the kitchen table.

“Dad, what if Thomas is involved? He knows every system in the company.””

“Then we'll secure the evidence before anyone can interfere with it.””

“And what if he already has?””

My father was silent.

Then he said, “That's what we're about to find out.””

That evening, I received a message from an unknown number.

**Daniel is willing to talk. Tomorrow can interfere with it.””

“And what if he already has?””

My father was silent.

Then he said, “That's what we're about to find out.””

That evening, I received a message from an unknown number.

*Daniel is willing to talk. Tomorrow. 8 p.m. Bring no one from Bennett Holdings.*

A second message followed.

*If you want the truth about Thomas Reed, come alone.*

I read it three times.

Then I forwarded it to my father and the legal team.

Within minutes, my. 8 p.m. Bring no one from Bennett Holdings.**

A second message followed.

*If you want the truth about Thomas Reed, come alone.*

I read it three times.

Then I forwarded it to my father and the legal team.

Within minutes, my father called.

“Absolutely not.””

“I haven't agreed to anything.””

“You won't.””

“Dad, if Daniel has evidence—”

“Then he can give it to the investigators.””

“What if he's afraid?””

“Then his attorney father called.

“Absolutely not.””

“I haven't agreed to anything.””

“You won't.””

“Dad, if Daniel has evidence—”

“Then he can give it to the investigators.””

“What if he's afraid?””

“Then his attorney can arrange a protected interview. You are not going to meet an unidentified person who may be involved in an eighteen-million-dollar fraud.””

I looked at the message again.

“Someone is trying to keep this away from the official investigation.””

“Yes,” my father said.

“And we need to establish who.””

I sent no reply.

For the next hour, the phone remained silent.

Then another message arrived.

This can arrange a protected interview. You are not going to meet an unidentified person who may be involved in an eighteen-million-dollar fraud.””

I looked at the message again.

“Someone is trying to keep this away from the official investigation.””

“Yes,” my father said.

“And we need to establish who.””

I sent no reply.

For the next hour, the phone remained silent.

Then another message arrived.

This one contained a photograph.

It showed a printed email with the header partially visible. The sender was Thomas Reed. The recipient was Daniel Mercer.

The message was dated two days one contained a photograph.

It showed a printed email with the header partially visible. The sender was Thomas Reed. The recipient was Daniel Mercer.

The message was dated two days before the transfer.

Only one sentence was readable.

*Proceed with the revised instructions. Ryan's approval will cover the release.*

My hands went cold.

I enlarged the image.

The email appeared genuine, but it could have been altered. The date could have been changed. The words could have been taken out of context.

I forwarded it to Patricia.

Her reply came quickly.

*Do not respond to the sender. We need the original email and its metadata.*

I was still reading when another message appeared.

*Thomas knew Ryan would take the blame. He also knew whose name would be used to justify the transfer.*

Below it was a final line.

**Maya before the transfer.

Only one sentence was readable.

*Proceed with the revised instructions. Ryan's approval will cover the release.*

My hands went cold.

I enlarged the image.

The email appeared genuine, but it could have been altered. The date could have been changed. The words could have been taken out of context.

I forwarded it to Patricia.

Her reply came quickly.

*Do not respond to the sender. We need the original email and its metadata.*

I was still reading when another message appeared.

*Thomas knew Ryan would take the blame. He also knew whose name would be used to justify the transfer.*

Below it was a final line.

*Maya, the money wasn't meant to disappear. It was meant to buy your silence.*

I stared at the screen.

Then my phone rang.

My father.

I answered.

“Maya, listen to, the money wasn't meant to disappear. It was meant to buy your silence.**

I stared at the screen.

Then my phone rang.

My father.

I answered.

“Maya, listen to me. The investigators have just discovered that someone attempted to delete a section of the transaction archive.””

My throat tightened.

“Who?””

“We're verifying the access records.””

I looked at the photograph of Thomas's email.

“Dad, I think we know who.””

Before he could respond, a new notification appeared me. The investigators have just discovered that someone attempted to delete a section of the transaction archive.””

My throat tightened.

“Who?””

“We're verifying the access records.””

I looked at the photograph of Thomas's email.

“Dad, I think we know who.””

Before he could respond, a new notification appeared on my phone.

An email from Bennett Holdings' internal security system.

The subject line read:

*URGENT: Unauthorized access detected — Executive Archive.*

And beneath it, one name appeared.

*Alexander Bennett.*

on my phone.