Chapter 6 - The Investigators Knocked FirstThe following morning, Manhattan woke to headlines that sent shockwaves through the business world.
CARTER GLOBAL CEO SUSPENDED AMID INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.
Financial news channels camped outside the company's headquarters. Reporters speculated about executive misconduct, but no one knew the full story. The Board had deliberately released only a brief statement, promising complete cooperation with all ongoing investigations.
Claire preferred it that way.
The truth was always more powerful when it arrived through evidence instead of rumors.
At 8:15 a.m., there was a knock on her hotel suite.
Ryan opened the door after confirming the visitors' identities.
Two federal investigators stood outside, accompanied by an attorney from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
"Mrs. Carter," one of them said, displaying his credentials. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with us."
Claire invited them inside.
The lead investigator placed a recorder on the table.
"We understand you may possess documents relating to financial misconduct at Carter Global."
"I do."
"Before we proceed, we need to ask one question."
Claire nodded.
"Have these documents been altered in any way?"
"No."
She slid three sealed envelopes across the table.
"The originals are backed up with independent digital verification. My forensic accountants documented the entire chain of custody. Every file includes metadata, banking confirmations, and certified copies."
The investigator exchanged a glance with his colleague.
"You were... exceptionally thorough."
"I've spent years negotiating against people who destroy inconvenient evidence," Claire replied calmly. "I had no intention of giving anyone that opportunity."
For the next two hours, they reviewed contracts, payment records, encrypted emails, and offshore transfer logs.
Each document strengthened the same conclusion.
This had never been a simple affair.
Money had moved through shell companies.
Corporate vendors had submitted inflated invoices.
Luxury purchases had been disguised as consulting expenses.
By the time the final folder was closed, the room was silent.
The investigator finally spoke.
"Mrs. Carter... if these records continue to verify, we're looking at multiple federal offenses."
Claire's expression never changed.
"I assumed as much."
Meanwhile, across town, Michael sat in his penthouse surrounded by lawyers.
Every television carried his photograph.
His public relations team drafted statement after statement, but each version was rejected.
Denial no longer worked.
The evidence was too precise.
His attorney's phone rang.
After listening for less than thirty seconds, the lawyer slowly lowered it.
Michael immediately sensed something was wrong.
"What is it?"
The attorney hesitated.
"The Board has voted to terminate your employment for cause."
Michael closed his eyes.
"And?"
"The investigators have formally requested interviews with several executives."
Relief flickered across his face.
"So they want to ask questions."
His lawyer didn't answer.
Instead, he handed Michael a freshly delivered envelope.
Across the front were six words that drained the last color from his face.
Federal Grand Jury Subpoena.
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For the first time since the scandal began, Michael understood the difference between losing a company...
...and losing his freedom.
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