"No."

"Then who?"

Langford turned.

"The board."

Michael's expression hardened.

Langford explained that several board members had been quietly purchasing shares in competing companies.

If the company's financial condition deteriorated enough, they could force a leadership change, acquire undervalued stock, and profit from the collapse.

The fake consulting contracts were part of the strategy.

Victoria wasn't the mastermind.

She was a participant.

Richard wasn't the mastermind either.

He was simply collecting money.

The real scheme involved people with power far above Victoria's position.

Michael opened the executive folder.

Inside was one final document.

A list of confidential board investigations.

Langford had suspected the scheme for months.

He had hired Michael because he needed an independent executive who wasn't connected to any department.

Michael looked at him.

"Why didn't you tell me all of this?"

"Because if I told you everything, your investigation would no longer be independent."

Michael understood.

Then the door opened.

Victoria stood outside.

She looked terrified.

"Michael."

He turned.

"What happened?"

Victoria stepped inside.

"I need to tell you something."

Langford looked at her.

"About what?"

Victoria swallowed.

"Richard knows."

Michael stood.

"Knows what?"

"That you're investigating him."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

Michael's phone vibrated.

A message appeared.

Meet me in the executive conference room at 8:00 p.m. Come alone.

No name.

Michael looked at Victoria.

"Did you send this?"

She shook her head.

Langford stared at the message.

"Don't go."

Michael put the phone away.

"I'm going."

"Michael—"

"If someone wants me alone, I want to know why."

At exactly 8:00 p.m., Michael entered the conference room.

The lights were off.

He switched them on.

Richard Hayes stood at the far end.

Three board members were with him.

Victoria's husband smiled.

"You've been asking too many questions."

Michael remained calm.

"You've been stealing from the company."

Richard laughed.

"Careful."

Michael placed the executive folder on the table.

Richard looked at it.

"You think that folder makes you powerful?"

"No."

Michael opened it.

"It makes your position clear."

He removed several documents.

"Fraud."

Another.

"Conflict of interest."

Another.

"Unauthorized payments."

Then the final document.

"Evidence."

Richard's smile disappeared.

Because he finally realized something.

Michael hadn't walked into the room alone.

Hidden cameras had already been activated.

And everyone in the room was being recorded.

CHAPTER 6 — THE FOLDER OPENS

The conference room doors opened.

The CEO walked in.

Behind him were federal investigators and the company's outside legal counsel.

Richard stepped backward.

"What is this?"

Michael closed the folder.

"This is the part where everyone stops pretending."

One of the investigators placed a warrant on the table.

"We're conducting a formal investigation into financial fraud, conspiracy, and unlawful diversion of corporate funds."

Richard looked at Victoria.

"You said he didn't know."

Victoria's face went pale.