Chapter 210 Conclusive Evidence
My heart softened. I walked to the window and looked down - under the dim yellow streetlights, Atlas's car sat there quietly.
I grabbed my coat and went downstairs. The moment I opened the car door, a warm, comforting smell of food hit me.
"Eat something first. You’ll need the strength for tomorrow." Atlas handed me a warm bowl of oatmeal, his eyes looked gentle. "I'm here, everything will be okay."
Holding the bowl, I noticed the faint redness in his eyes in his eyes, knowing he'd been running around all day for me. My nose tingled with emotion, and I gently leaned against his shoulder. "Atlas, I'm so lucky to have you."
He reached up and gently ruffled my hair, his voice low and steady. "I told you, I'll always be with you, your strongest support."
Moonlight streamed through the car window, gently wrapping around us both.
I knew that once I handed the evidence to Henry, there would be hell to pay at home. John would never go down without a fight.
But I wasn't afraid anymore. I had Atlas's support, my parents' trust, my employees' loyalty, and solid evidence to take John down.
This time, I wouldn't just stabilize the Lockwood Group —I'd make John pay dearly for everything he'd done.
I leaned against Atlas's shoulder, resting with my eyes closed. The car was quiet and warm, and all my exhaustion and anxiety melted away in that moment.
The warm oatmeal melted on my tongue, easing the emptiness in my stomach and calming the storm inside me.
As I ate, my gaze drifted back to him. Without thinking, I reached out and lightly brushed the dark circle under his eyes.
"You've been busy all day, why didn't you go home and rest first?"
Atlas took my hand in his, the warmth of his palm seeping through my skin with a reassuring strength. "I was worried about you, wanted to wait for you."
He paused, then added, "I know you're going to confront John. Even though this is a family matter, if you need me, just say the word. Don't be polite with me."
Atlas gently tapped my nose with his finger. "John is cunning and won’t sit back and watch Lockwood Group return to your hands. Plan ahead to prevent problems before they happen."
I leaned back in the car seat, meeting his gaze. For a moment, it felt like everything chaotic in my life had found somewhere safe to land.
"Thank you, Atlas."
"Why are you being so formal with me?" He ruffled my hair, his tone affectionate. "Hurry and finish eating, I'll take you home when you're done."
After finishing the last spoonful of oatmeal, the car slowly pulled away from the premises. Neon lights blurred into streaks of light on the car window, and the car was so quiet only the soft hum of the engine remained.
I leaned back in the passenger seat, resting with my eyes closed, but my mind kept going over tomorrow's situation.
The evidence was ready, the police had opened a case. Patrick's embezzlement was a done deal, and the evidence I had was enough to prove John was behind it all.
Just as I was thinking, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Henry: "Helena, are you back? Your mother and I are waiting for you."
The car came to a stop. Atlas ruffled my hair, his eyes gentle. "Go on up. Call me anytime if you need anything."
I opened the front door to find the living room lights still on. Maria sat beside Henry, her eyes full of worry. "Helena's back?"
"Dad, Mom." I walked over and sat across from them.
Maria immediately took my hand, touching my face. "You must be exhausted, sit down."
Henry looked at me, silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "I know about the company situation. Where's the evidence you have?"
Without hesitation, I took out the organized documents from my bag, placed them on the coffee table, and pushed them toward Henry.
"These are the financial statements showing Patrick's embezzlement, plus transfer records and hotel surveillance between him and John's people. All the evidence is here. Though we haven't traced where the money ultimately went, it’s enough to prove John is behind it."
Henry frowned and picked up the documents, carefully flipping through page by page. Maria leaned closer too, and as she looked at all those dense numbers and screenshots, her expression darkened with every page.
"John, how dare he!"
Maria's voice shook with disbelief and anger. "He's part of the Lockwood family too. What does he gain from scheming against us like this!"
Henry closed the pages, anger and disappointment churning in his eyes. After a long silence, he sighed. "This is my fault. I'll talk to him."
Then Henry looked up at me. "I heard you're calling a shareholders' meeting tomorrow?"
"Yes."
I said firmly, "The shareholders need to be informed of this matter. I'll make all the evidence public, remove Patrick from all his positions, and file a lawsuit to hold him legally responsible for the embezzlement."
Henry nodded, a flash of approval in his eyes. "Good, do as you say. The Lockwood Group is generations of the Lockwood family's life work. It can't be ruined by anyone. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
I nodded. "Okay."
With Henry and Maria's support, relief settled deep in my chest.
After a good night's sleep, I arrived at the company early the next morning. York was already waiting for me at the conference room door.
Seeing me approach, he hurried over. "Ms. Lockwood, I've got everyone ready. If anyone really causes trouble, I'll rush right in."
I saw the security guards in the distance and frowned. "Why did you prepare muscle? This is a company meeting, not a street brawl. Send them away."
"Okay."
Seeing me give the order, York quickly waved them off. After everyone left, he hurried to catch up, saying quietly behind me, "Ms. Lockwood, good luck!"
As his words fell, the conference room door slowly opened, and I strode in.
All the shareholders from last time were inside. Unlike last time, these people looked at me with more scrutiny.
After all, it was in this very conference room last time that I had boldly assured the shareholders of a brilliant future, only for problems to arise almost immediately.
Though it wasn't my fault, I couldn't escape responsibility. Thinking of this, I spoke up. "I've called this shareholders' meeting today to announce two things."
I picked up the microphone, my voice clear and strong. "The first is about CFO Patrick's disappearance and the recent financial irregularities discovered at the company."
As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.
"First, let me show you some evidence."
I signaled to Giselle to turn on the projection equipment. The screen immediately displayed Patrick's embezzlement financial statements and transfer records.
"Patrick used his position to work with external forces to embezzle nearly three hundred million dollars from the company. All these funds were transferred to shell companies. We've tracked where the money went and handed it over to the authorities. Patrick may be on the run now, but he won’t get away with it in the end.”