PART 11 – My Second Brother Reviewed the Banking Records and Found a Connection That Dominic Had Never Expected His Wife to Understand

Two days passed.

Dominic barely spoke to me.

He left early.

Returned late.

And spent most of his time on the phone.

I stopped asking where he was going.

There was no point.

On the third morning, Victor called.

"Can you come by today?"

I was preparing Sophia's lunch.

"Is something wrong?"

"There's an update from the financial review."

I looked at the clock.

"I'll come after I drop her at school."

When I arrived, my second brother was already there.

He was sitting beside Victor with a folder open in front of him.

I hadn't seen him in several weeks.

He stood and hugged me.

"Viv."

I held him for a moment.

"What's happening?"

He pulled out a chair.

"We've been reviewing the company's banking relationships."

I looked at Victor.

He nodded.

My second brother opened the folder.

"Several facilities were supported by financial institutions connected to our wider investment network."

I frowned.

"Meaning?"

"Dominic's company received access to financing because of its commercial position and the guarantees attached to certain arrangements."

I looked at the documents.

"Was that our family's money?"

"Some of the support came through institutions with Sterling-related interests. It wasn't one simple transfer."

He pointed to a page.

"Look at this."

I leaned forward.

There were dates and financial figures.

I didn't understand every number, but I recognized the company's name.

"These agreements kept the company operating?"

"They helped provide liquidity and stability during important periods."

I remembered Dominic telling me about a difficult year.

He had been worried that the company might have to reduce staff.

He had stayed awake for several nights.

I had brought him coffee.

I had told him he would find a solution.

Now I was looking at the records of the solution he had never mentioned.

"Did he ever know the support came from our network?"

My second brother answered carefully.

"He knew the institutions involved. He may not have known the full relationships behind them."

Victor added:

"That's why we're reviewing the records before drawing conclusions."

I nodded.

I wanted to be fair.

Even to Dominic.

Especially because I knew how quickly people could turn a financial review into a personal accusation.

My second brother turned another page.

"There is a question about how some of these arrangements were described in company materials."

I looked up.

"Daniel's reports?"

Victor nodded.

"Some of the concerns are consistent with what he mentioned."

"Have you spoken to him?"

"Through the proper company channels. He's been asked to preserve relevant records."

I leaned back.

"What happens if the company cannot meet its obligations?"

My second brother folded his hands.

"Then the company will need to work with its creditors and investors. It could seek replacement financing, restructure obligations, or take other lawful steps."

"And if it can't?"

"Then there may be serious consequences."

I looked down.

I had wanted Dominic to lose the arrogance that had allowed him to humiliate us.

I hadn't wanted hundreds of people to lose their jobs.

"Can we give the company more time?"

Victor looked at my second brother.

He answered.

"That depends on the agreements and the company's actual position. We cannot promise support without proper review."

I nodded.

I understood.

My family had helped Dominic before.

But that didn't mean we had to continue indefinitely.

Especially if important information had been misrepresented.

After the meeting, I sat alone with Victor.

"Do you think he'll blame me for all of this?"

Victor gave me a tired smile.

"He already does."

I looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because blaming you is easier than examining his own decisions."

I didn't answer.

Victor placed his hand over mine.

"You don't have to carry responsibility for decisions you didn't make."

I swallowed.

"I know."

But knowing something and believing it were different.

When I returned home, Dominic was waiting in the living room.

He stood as soon as I entered.

"Where have you been?"

"Meeting my brothers."

His expression darkened.

"Of course."

I placed my handbag on the table.

"What do you want?"

He walked toward me.

"I need you to ask Victor to release the financing review."

I stared at him.

"That's not how this works."

"You're his sister."

"And you're the company's executive vice president."

He looked furious.

"They're making it impossible for me to run the business."

I kept my voice steady.

"Then answer their questions."

He shook his head.

"You know how much money I've put into this company?"

I looked at him.

"How much money did you put into it yourself?"

His expression changed.

He didn't answer.

I continued.

"How much came from the people you never bothered to understand?"

He stepped closer.

"You're enjoying this."

That accusation hurt.

I shook my head.

"No, Dominic. I'm grieving."

He looked at me.

I continued.

"I'm grieving the marriage I thought I had. I'm grieving the family I believed we were building. And I'm grieving the fact that our daughter may never see you the same way again."

He turned away.

For several seconds, the room was silent.

Then he said:

"You're going to destroy everything."

I looked at him.

"Everything wasn't mine to destroy."