Chapter 9 - Forty-Three Million Dollars
The wedding was officially canceled by nine o’clock.
Most guests left.
The ballroom remained filled with untouched flowers and half-finished champagne.
Upstairs, the hotel had become an unofficial crime scene.
Mary changed out of her wedding dress.
She put on black trousers, a white blouse, and the wool coat she had arrived in that morning.
The transformation felt symbolic.
The bride was gone.
What remained was Mary Whitmore.
Daniel assembled a forensic accounting team in a private office.
Forty-three million dollars had been moved through six companies over eighteen months.
The transfers were disguised as acquisition expenses.
Every authorization carried Rebecca’s credentials.
Rebecca denied making them.
Thomas denied receiving them.
Ethan claimed he knew nothing about the money.
Mary believed none of them completely.
At 10:27 p.m., Daniel called her into the room.
“We found something.”
He displayed a transfer record.
The money had eventually arrived at an offshore account.
The account belonged to Bellweather Capital.
Mary recognized the name.
“So?”
Daniel looked uneasy.
“Bellweather owns twenty-eight percent of Cole Development debt.”
Mary turned toward Ethan.
He had been brought back into the room.
“What does that mean?”
Ethan looked genuinely shocked.
“I don’t know.”
Charles did.
His face became white.
“Someone has been buying our debt.”
Daniel nodded.
“If Cole Development defaults, Bellweather can force restructuring.”
Robert crossed his arms.
“And potentially take control.”
Mary saw the structure now.
Someone had stolen Whitmore money.
That stolen money was used to purchase Cole debt.
Then Ethan was pushed toward marrying Mary.
If the marriage succeeded, someone gained access to Whitmore voting shares.
If it failed, Bellweather still gained control over Cole Development.
Either way, someone won.
Mary looked around the room.
“Who owns Bellweather?”
Daniel hesitated.
“That is complicated.”
“Make it simple.”
“It is registered through three trusts.”
“Beneficiary?”
“We are working on it.”
Mary walked toward the window.
Below her, Manhattan glowed against the night.
Hours earlier, she thought her greatest problem was discovering her fiancé in another woman’s arms.
Now forty-three million dollars was missing.
Her family company was under attack.
Her uncle might be involved.
Her CFO might be involved.
And her wedding had apparently been used as part of a corporate takeover.
Ethan approached her.
“Mary.”
She did not turn.
“I can help.”
Mary laughed quietly.
“You have helped enough.”
“I know Mercer.”
“That does not comfort me.”
“I can make him talk.”
Mary looked at him.
“Why would he trust you?”
Ethan’s expression became bitter.
“Because he still thinks I’m on his side.”
Mary stared at him.
It was dangerous.
It was also their best lead.
Daniel immediately objected.
“No.”
Mary ignored him.
“What would you do?”
Ethan lowered his voice.
“I call Mercer.”
“And?”
“I tell him the wedding is not dead.”
Mary’s eyes narrowed.
Ethan continued.
“I tell him you still love me.”
Mary almost slapped him.
Then she understood.
Ethan wanted the conspirators to believe he could still complete Project Bride.
He looked at her.
“They don’t know how much you heard.”
Mary slowly nodded.
May you like
For the first time that night, Ethan might actually be useful.
“Make the call.”
