Neither reviewed details.

Emma asked who authorized the transfers.

Lena opened the permissions log.

The first six were approved by the former executive director, Paul Mercer.

He had retired last year.

The next four were approved by the current operations chief.

Two carried Victoria’s electronic approval.

Victoria stared at the screen.

“I approve event budgets. I don’t move restricted funds.”

The audit trail showed her credential.

That did not prove she knowingly authorized the source account.

Emma insisted on that distinction.

Then Brandon said something unexpected.

“Mom didn’t know.”

Everyone looked at him.

He swallowed.

“I did.”

CONTINUITY FRAME: End on Brandon sitting rigidly in the conference room, his face pale after admitting that he knew about the transfers. Victoria turns toward him in disbelief. Emma remains beside Lena, and Henry sits silently at the head of the table.

PART 6 — THE SON WHO KNEW

Brandon admitted he knew some invoices were being paid from restricted money.

He claimed Paul Mercer told him the transfers were temporary.

According to Brandon, the foundation regularly borrowed between internal funds when cash timing became difficult.

He assumed it was legal.

Emma asked whether he knew Shoreline Advisory was receiving those payments.

“Yes.”

“Did you know Shoreline was yours?”

Brandon glared.

“Obviously.”

“Then did you disclose that to the foundation?”

Silence.

That answer mattered.

Related-party work was not automatically prohibited.

Undisclosed related-party work was different.

Brandon said Victoria knew Shoreline existed.

Victoria snapped: