Chapter 13 - THE FAMILY ACCOUNT
The five-million-dollar transfer opened everything.
Forensic accountants found twenty-seven more transactions.
Emma's trust had funded Victor's losses for three years.
No board approval.
No independent review.
No repayment.
Christopher confronted her through glass.
"You used Emma's money to pay Victor."
"I was going to restore it."
"When?"
"After the merger."
"So Emma had to approve the deal that repaid money you stole from her."
The circle was complete.
The merger was never strategic.
It was a rescue.
Christopher ordered every family-controlled account audited.
Board members panicked.
One director said, "You are going to destroy the Pierce name."
Christopher answered, "Then maybe the name has been too expensive."
The independent fiduciary kept control.
He also stepped aside from the CEO role during the investigation.
Not because he had committed the fraud.
Because Pierce Holdings needed one decision not made by a Pierce.
Rachel supported it.
Emma's therapist, Dr. Maya Chen, focused on something simpler.
Water.
Emma refused baths.
Hated the sound of splashing.
Would not go near the pool wing.
Christopher did not tell her to be brave.
One night she asked, "Why didn't Juliette jump in?"
Christopher had no clean answer.
"Because she chose herself over you."
"Grandma too?"
"Yes."
"Did you?"
The question hurt.
"What do you mean?"
"You let Grandma decide stuff even when I said I didn't like it."
"Yes."
Not the same crime.
Still a failure.
"I should have listened sooner."
Then she asked, "Are you listening now?"
"Yes."
"Even if I say I never want to see Grandma?"
"Yes."
That answer cost him.
Good.
Juliette wanted to give a final statement.
She had information about the day Anna died.
Christopher nearly refused.
Brooks said, "You should hear it."
Juliette claimed Victor had not been alone.
Someone followed Anna's car after the brake line failed.
A Pierce security vehicle.
Driver:
May you like
Aaron Vale.
Christopher's current security chief.
