Chapter 7 - The Old Ledger
The red folder wasn't the only thing missing from my safe.
There had also been a small black ledger.
Now Julian described it perfectly.
Handwritten dates.
Vendor codes.
Initials.
AM.
CH.
TB.
Alan Mercer.
Charles Hartwell.
Thomas Bennett.
Alan Mercer discovered them first.
Charles blamed the missing money on Alan.
My father believed Charles.
For three years.
Then he found proof.
"Why didn't he expose it?" I asked.
Julian looked ashamed.
"Because Hartwell would have collapsed."
"That's not an answer."
"It was his answer."
He forced Charles to sign the convertible note.
If Hartwell recovered, Bennett Capital would be repaid.
If Charles cheated again, my father could take voting control.
I said, "Our fathers buried a crime to save a company."
Julian nodded.
"My father kept burying things."
"What happened to the ledger?"
"I don't know."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I know Charles took your red folder. I didn't know he took the ledger."
I watched his face.
For the first time, he looked genuinely afraid.
Not of losing me.
Of his father.
Then Julian said, "There's another reason Charles needs the refinance."
"What?"
"Hartwell doesn't owe ninety-six million."
"How much?"
He hesitated.
"One hundred eighty-four."
Naomi stopped writing.
"To whom?"
Julian looked at her.
"Private lenders. Some legitimate. Some not."
I leaned forward.
"And the Bennett note?"
"If it converts, you get access to the books."
"Which shows the hidden debt."
"Yes."
I understood.
The honeymoon signature wasn't just about money.
It was about stopping me from seeing the company before Charles could refinance the evidence away.
Then Julian's phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
CHARLES.
He declined.
A second later, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Charles Hartwell's voice came through.
"Clara, if you want your father's ledger back, come to the Hartwell office alone."
I looked at Julian.
He shook his head.
May you like
Charles continued.
"And don't bring my son."
