Thursday morning began with another phone call from Rebecca.
"Margaret, Richard has arrived."
I looked at the clock.
It was eight forty-five.
"Is he carrying the documents we requested?"
"Yes. He brought several folders."
"All right. Let's begin on time."
I finished my coffee and walked toward the conference room.
The same long table was waiting.
The same chairs.
The same glass walls overlooking the city.
But the atmosphere was different from Monday.
Richard was already seated.
He had placed a thick folder in front of him.
His tie was perfectly straight, and his hair looked freshly arranged.
He stood when I entered.
"Good morning, Mrs. Collins."
"Good morning, Richard."
I took my seat.
Rebecca sat beside me.
James Miller was present, along with two representatives from the independent review team and our finance director.
Richard looked around.
"I appreciate everyone making time for this."
I opened my notebook.
"Let's discuss the outstanding records."
He pushed his folder forward.
"I've prepared explanations for the expenses you questioned."
Rebecca opened the folder.
"Thank you. We'll review them individually."
Richard began describing several transactions.
He explained that some expenses related to operational improvements.
Others involved maintenance and departmental services.
His explanations sounded reasonable at first.
But when the finance director asked for supporting documents, the answers became less clear.
"Do you have the original approval for this transaction?"
Richard looked through his papers.
"I believe it was approved electronically."
"Can you provide the approval record?"
"I'll need to retrieve it."
Rebecca made a note.
Another entry appeared.
The amount was different from the figure recorded in an earlier report.
Richard said it was a reporting adjustment.
The finance director asked for the reconciliation.
Richard couldn't provide it immediately.
I watched him carefully.
I wasn't looking for nervousness.
I was looking for facts.
"Mr. Whitmore, when can you provide the missing records?"
"By the end of the week."
"Can you provide all of them?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Then please do."
The review team continued asking questions.
Several answers required additional verification.
Some explanations were supported by documents.
Others were not.
I didn't interrupt unless necessary.
At one point, Richard leaned toward me.
"Mrs. Collins, I hope you understand that managing a division of this size isn't simple."
"I understand that very well."
He nodded.
"Sometimes administrative records don't tell the entire story."
"That's why we're asking for the full records."
He looked down.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours.
When it ended, Richard gathered his papers.
"May I speak with you privately?"
I looked toward Rebecca.
"Please arrange any formal matters through her office."
He seemed disappointed.
"I was hoping to clear up a misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding?"
He hesitated.
"Friday evening."
I closed my notebook.
"This meeting concerns company business."
He nodded.
But before leaving, he said something that surprised me.
"I never intended to offend you."
I looked at him.
"You made a joke about my needing to clean your company's toilets."
His face reddened.
"I was only trying to be humorous."
"Then perhaps you should consider who is expected to laugh."
He said nothing.
I stood.
"Thank you for attending."
Richard left the room.
Rebecca remained beside me.
"Do you think he understands the seriousness of the review?" she asked.
"I think he understands that the company is taking a closer look."
I returned to my office.
There was still work to do.
The company couldn't stop because one executive had difficulty answering questions.
I reviewed the production schedule and signed several routine approvals.
Around lunchtime, James called.
He wanted to discuss staffing.
I listened while he explained that two experienced supervisors had requested transfers.
Both worked in Richard's division.
"Have they given reasons?"
"Yes. They mentioned the working environment."
I looked at the employee report.
"Please arrange the transfers if operationally possible."
James agreed.
Then I asked him to make sure their decisions were handled without pressure.
That afternoon, I received a message from Daniel.
He asked whether I was free for dinner.
I agreed.
He arrived at my cottage just after seven.
He looked tired.
We sat at the kitchen table.
"How are things with Vanessa?" I asked.
He rubbed his forehead.
"We haven't really spoken."
"Did something happen?"
"She keeps asking about her father."
I waited.
"She wants to know what you're planning to do."
I put my cup down.
"Tell her the review is being handled properly."
"I did."
"And?"
"She said that's not an answer."
I sighed.
Daniel stared at the wooden table.
"I don't think she understands what Dad said to you."
I reached for his hand.
"Daniel, you don't have to convince her to understand something she refuses to consider."
He looked at me.
"I know."
We ate dinner together.
For a while, we talked about his latest architectural project.
It was a small office development he had been designing.
He seemed happier discussing his work.
I wanted him to remember that his life had value beyond the Whitmore family's opinion.
When he left, he hugged me tightly.
I stood at the door until his car disappeared.
Then I went back inside.
I had another meeting waiting for me the next morning.
And this time, I wanted to hear from the people who worked closest to Richard.
Click here to continue reading: PART 10: The More We Listened to the Employees, the More I Understood Why an Impressive Financial Report Could Hide an Unhappy Workplace
The Evening My Future Daughter-in-Law’s Father Mistook My Quiet Life for a Reason to Humiliate Me
Part 9 of 24
