Chapter 12 - CHARLES’S HIDDEN EMPIRE
Charles attempted to leave the courtyard.
A detective blocked him.
“We need to discuss records recovered from Vance Capital.”
Two officers opened the back of a government vehicle.
Inside were file boxes removed from a company van that morning.
Charles’s face went pale.
Victoria looked at him.
“What records?”
The files documented more than sixty-two million dollars in concealed liabilities.
Vance Capital had inflated property values.
Shifted losses through shell companies.
Used new investor money to cover older obligations.
Several director authorizations carried Arthur’s signature.
“I never approved these transactions,” Arthur said.
Charles pointed at the page.
“That is your signature.”
“You told me they were routine.”
“They were.”
“Routine fraud?”
Charles glared at him.
“You enjoyed being called a director.”
Arthur fell silent.
He had accepted the title.
Used it at parties.
Signed documents he never read.
He wanted authority without responsibility.
Now the responsibility remained.
Arthur looked at me.
“You warned me.”
“Yes.”
“You said the company reports were wrong.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you force me to understand?”
May you like
I held his gaze.
“I was your wife, Arthur. Not your supervisor.”
