Chapter 115 Reluctant - Miguel POV
I watch as Madison reluctantly pack her bags. She doesn't want to be away from me, just like I don't want to be away from her.
I installed the tiny camera in her bedroom when I essentially broke into her house. It might be considered an invasion of privacy by some, but if her parents forbid me to see her, I had to find another way.
I hate this, hate that I still have to be fighting my family to have a normal life, but I will fight for a life with her until I can't.
They're going on a two-week holiday to the Caribbean, a place I would've wanted to go with her. Another opportunity snatched because my murdering brother killed an innocent man.
Was I pissed when I saw Madison in that tabloid with that model?
Yes.
Did I think of murdering him?
No.
The guy was harmless, and I have much better tactics than killing someone to claim her as mine. I only killed that druggie because he wanted to hurt her.
I contacted those companies that allegedly received those big amounts.
They never got that money. Instead, they sent me all their invoices and the payments made.
Ben and George think they're smart.
They don't know it yet, but I'm smarter.
I want to sit and watch Madison on my phone the whole day, but I need to eliminate Ben, and how else to rattle him than by letting him know I know what he's been doing.
I go to George's office, and knock on the open door.
He literally goes pale when he looks up and sees it's me.
"Miguel, what can I do for you?"
I walk inside his office and close the door behind me. "I needed some clarification on some questionable transactions that I picked up."
"Oh?" He has the nerve to look surprised. "You know I go through everything myself, I didn't see anything."
"That's what I thought." I take a seat opposite him, keeping my stance casual. "So imagine my surprise when I contacted companies asking them for invoices and proof of payments, and it didn't match the books."
"Uh....I...." His nostrils flare as he tries to find words to say.
I smile and knock on his desk before I get up. "No need to break your head over it, I already have one of the best external auditors coming in tomorrow."
"What!" George jumps from his chair so fast, he knocks it over. "You can't do that without the board's permission!"
"That's why I have scheduled an emergency meeting for two this afternoon." I keep the smile on my face. "I will see you in the boardroom, George."
I haven't even gotten back to my office when Ben comes barreling in, looking furious and too much like me.
"What is this about an emergency board meeting!" He's seething. "You can't just come in here and do whatever the hell you want!"
I calmly take my seat. "The board was informed that it is a very serious matter, so it's not really what I want, but something that needs to be done."
A notification goes off on my phone, and I smile at my angry brother. "Even Father is coming. Why, is there something wrong, Benedict?"
He looks ready to blow a gasket, but then he straightens his tie and exhales deeply. "I will see you in the meeting."
He's always been very good at composing himself, maybe that's why he's been so successful in his criminals ways.
And who knows what that auditor will uncover.
Madison lets me know she's boarding her flight, and even though I know it's the best for her to not be in the city right now, I still feel like a failure. I'm failing to protect her.
My father doesn't look too impressed when he arrives at the office, pulling me aside.
"Miguel, what is this all about?" He wants to know. "This firm hasn't had an emergency meeting in a very long time."
"Well maybe you should have." I'm trying not to sound sarcastic. "There is money being stolen, who knows how much already."
I walk past him into the boardroom and take in my position at the front of the room.
Ben is there, he has a seat on the board by default being a Cargill, an honor that was bestowed upon me as soon as I joined.
"You might be wondering why we are here today." I don't have time to make small talk. "It is only to obtain permission for an independent audit to be done."
"Why?" Father wants to know.
I put up the questionable transactions on the screen behind me, and the board members start talking amongst each other.
"As you can see, there are some unlikely amounts of money made out to small companies, that has been spanning over a long period of time." I highlight the transactions. "Now, I'm not an accountant, maybe George can enlighten us?"
George looks as if he wants the floor to swallow him whole, but I subtly look at Ben.
He's not moving. He's sitting in his chair like a statue, and when Father requests a vote for the audit, he raises his hand in favor of.
That could only mean one thing.
George is going to be the scapegoat, but I'm not letting that happen.