Chapter 3 - The Ultimate Frame
I stared at the laptop screen in pure disbelief.
I was legally listed as the sole proprietor and Chief Executive Officer of Nebula Systems.
"They didn't just steal my money, Evelyn," I whispered.
"They set me up to take the fall for a massive corporate fraud."
If Nebula Systems defaulted on the loans or was investigated for embezzlement, the federal authorities would come directly for me.
Eric had perfectly orchestrated my destruction.
He planned to freeze my accounts, file for divorce, and leave me holding the bag for millions in stolen funds.
My trip to Paris was not just a distraction.
It was designed to make it look like I was fleeing the country to escape prosecution.
"We have to go to the police right now," I said, reaching for my phone.
Evelyn grabbed my wrist, stopping me instantly.
"If you go to the cops now, Eric will simply claim you are a rogue CEO trying to blame him," Evelyn warned.
"He has the forged documents, the transferred funds, and your biological signatures."
"You need hard, undeniable financial proof that he orchestrated this behind your back."
I am a senior risk auditor for a reason.
I know exactly how to track dirty money through corporate balance sheets.
"I need access to the briefcase that banker brought into my house," I realized.
"The banker said the forged signature wasn't flawless, which means the original wet-ink document is in that case."
"If I can prove the signature was forged before it gets processed, I can dismantle the entire loan."
Evelyn peeked through her front window blinds.
"They are leaving," she announced.
I looked out and saw the unfamiliar man walking to a black sedan parked down the street.
He placed the leather briefcase in the trunk and got into the driver's seat.
I quickly memorized his license plate number.
Using Evelyn's laptop, I ran the plate through a basic public records database I used for work.
The car belonged to a man named Arthur Vance, a disgraced former loan officer.
"I know where his office is," I said, formulating a dangerous plan.
"I am going to break into his office tonight and steal the original documents."
Evelyn handed me a dark hoodie and a pair of latex gloves from her cleaning supply closet.
I waited until midnight before taking Evelyn's old sedan into the city.
I found Arthur's dimly lit office building in a rundown commercial district.
I picked the cheap lock on the back door and crept down the silent hallway.
I pushed open the door to Arthur's office, ready to search for the briefcase.
May you like
But I was far too late.
Arthur Vance was slumped over his desk, completely motionless, with a massive pool of blood spreading across the legal documents.
