Chapter 3 - The Blood Money
Brendan’s eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal.
He couldn't believe that the woman he had financially abused for years was suddenly his boss.
Samantha quickly stood up and tried to distance herself from him.
"This is completely illegal," Ximena shouted from the doorway.
"I am the executive assistant, and I oversee all financial approvals!"
I turned my attention to Ximena, feeling a cold rage build in my chest.
"I reviewed the financial approvals you managed," I told her.
I pulled a second folder from my briefcase and opened it for the board to see.
"When my daughter needed emergency heart medication, you denied the claim to save the company money," I said.
Ximena lifted her chin defensively.
"It was company policy to limit dependent expenses," she argued.
I slid a highlighted bank statement across the table.
"Except the funds were never returned to the company accounts," I revealed.
The boardroom went completely silent.
"Every time you denied a medical claim for my daughter, the exact dollar amount was transferred to a private offshore account," I explained.
I used my background in actuarial science to trace the hidden digital footprints they thought were untraceable.
Brendan had been intentionally denying his own child’s medical care to steal cash from his own company.
He had traded Chloe’s life for untraceable spending money.
The CFO looked at Brendan with pure disgust.
"You embezzled corporate funds through your own daughter's medical trust?" the CFO asked in horror.
Brendan slammed his fists on the table.
"It's my company, I can do whatever I want with the money!" he roared.
I felt a tear slide down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away.
"You killed her for a few thousand dollars," I whispered.
"I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in a concrete cell."
Brendan suddenly stopped yelling and a dark, twisted smile spread across his face.
"You won't be sending anyone to prison, Nora," he sneered.
"Because nobody believes a woman who has completely lost her mind."
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He pulled out his cell phone and pressed a single button.
"The ambulance is waiting downstairs, and the doctors have already signed your involuntary commitment papers."
