Chapter 4 - The Missing Millions
Daniel spent the entire night reviewing sales records.
The numbers didn't make sense.
Twenty-three luxury vehicles had been sold.
But only eighteen appeared in the official accounting system.
Five vehicles were missing.
Their combined value exceeded three million dollars.
Daniel called Edward.
“Mr. Whitmore?”
“Call me Edward.”
“Edward, we have a problem.”
“I assumed we did.”
Daniel explained.
Edward became silent.
“Send me everything.”
Daniel did.
Thirty minutes later, Edward arrived.
Harold came with him.
They entered the accounting office.
Daniel showed them the records.
Harold frowned.
“This isn't random.”
“No,” Daniel said.
“Someone knows exactly what they're doing.”
Edward nodded.
“Who has administrator access?”
“Six people.”
“Names?”
Daniel listed them.
Then Harold pointed to one.
“What's her position?”
“Senior finance manager.”
“Elaine Carter.”
Daniel nodded.
“She has worked here for fourteen years.”
Edward looked concerned.
“That's a long time.”
“Yes.”
“Which makes this harder.”
They decided not to confront her immediately.
Instead, they watched.
The next day, Elaine arrived as usual.
She greeted everyone.
She smiled.
She made coffee.
She appeared completely normal.
Daniel watched from across the showroom.
Then Elaine entered the finance office.
Five minutes later, a file disappeared from the system.
Daniel's heart raced.
He called Edward.
“It's happening again.”
Edward whispered:
“Don't confront her.”
“Why?”
“We need proof.”
Daniel nodded.
That evening, they followed the money.
It led to a company registered under a different name.
The company belonged to Elaine's husband.
But the investigation revealed something worse.
Elaine wasn't stealing the money.
She was transferring it to someone else.
Who?
The trail ended at a private investment account.
Harold stared at the screen.
“I know that name.”
Edward looked at him.
“Who?”
Harold gave him the name.
“Victor Lang.”
Edward's expression changed.
Victor Lang was a competitor.
He owned several rival dealerships.
“He's trying to sabotage us,” Edward said.
Harold shook his head.
“No.”
Everyone looked at him.
“This is too sophisticated.”
“What do you mean?”
“Victor is ambitious.”
Harold leaned closer.
“But he's not stupid.”
Daniel asked:
“Then who is behind him?”
Harold stared at the screen.
“I don't know.”
The next morning, Elaine disappeared.
Her office was empty.
Her desk had been cleaned.
Her computer was gone.
Daniel immediately called Edward.
“She knows.”
Edward arrived.
Police were contacted.
But there was no sign of Elaine.
Then Daniel found a note under the keyboard.
It contained four words.
You trusted the wrong person.
Edward looked at Harold.
“Who?”
Harold shook his head.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
“You should have left the dealership alone.”
Harold's face hardened.
“Who is this?”
“You know.”
The call ended.
Harold slowly lowered the phone.
Edward asked:
“Who was it?”
Harold looked toward the showroom.
“Someone from my past.”
“Who?”
Harold hesitated.
Then said:
“Thomas Whitmore.”
Edward froze.
“My uncle?”
Harold nodded.
“Your father's brother.”
Daniel looked confused.
“Why would he want the dealership?”
Harold's face darkened.
“Because he believes I stole his inheritance.”
Edward stared.
“Did you?”
“No.”
Harold looked at him.
May you like
“But he has believed it for forty years.”
And now, apparently, he was willing to destroy the family business to prove it.
