Chapter 8 - NINE MILLION DOLLARS
The money had not vanished in one transfer.
It had bled out for years.
Private-school invoices for schools Noah never attended. Medical reimbursements for procedures he never had. Loans to Mark's failed real-estate company. Consulting fees to a company linked to Claudia's brother. A yacht deposit. A Miami condo.
Nine million dollars.
Dana looked at Richard. "We need a forensic audit."
At dawn, child-services investigator Maya Collins arrived. She interviewed Noah privately with Dr. Patel nearby.
When she came out, her face was grim.
"Noah reports food restriction as discipline, being locked in a laundry room, physical grabbing that left marks, and being put outside before last night."
Richard's fists tightened.
"He says you are the adult he feels safest with," Maya continued. "We're arranging emergency placement pending court review. If you're willing—"
"Yes."
"I haven't finished."
"The answer is yes."
Mark shouted from the dining room, "You can't take my kid!"
Maya turned. "That decision is not yours alone right now."
Noah sat on the stairs listening while Mark and Claudia, now back under guard, blamed each other.
Richard sat beside him.
"Are they lying again?" Noah asked.
"Yes."
"Which one?"
Richard listened to the shouting.
"Both."
Then Thomas hurried over with his phone.
"The board meeting was moved up. Emergency session. Ten o'clock."
Dana checked the notice.
"Mark's allies want Richard suspended as executive chairman before the market opens tomorrow."
May you like
Richard looked toward his son.
Even under investigation, Mark's plan was still moving.
