Chapter 13: The Night They Tried to Steal Eight Million Dollars
"How much has already been transferred?""
Laura Bennett stood beside the conference room window, her phone pressed against her ear.
Michael paced behind her.
Susan sat motionless, staring at the payment schedule she'd brought us.
I couldn't move.
Eight million dollars.
Eighteen years of secrets.
And now someone was trying to make the final pieces disappear before morning.
Laura raised one hand, signaling us to remain quiet.
"Yes, I understand the liquidation instruction was submitted by the current beneficiary. But there is a pending fraud investigation. You cannot simply ignore that.""
She listened.
Then her voice became sharper.
"Then connect me with your compliance director immediately.""
The call ended.
Michael turned toward her.
"Well?""
"Two transactions have been initiated. One for $3.2 million and another for $1.7 million.""
"Where are they going?""
"An investment account in the Cayman Islands and a domestic holding company.""
Michael grabbed his laptop.
"Give me the company name.""
Laura read it aloud.
Michael searched the corporate records.
Then he stopped.
"Mom, it's Lang Capital.""
I stared at him.
"The company that offered you the job?""
He nodded.
"They're receiving part of the trust money.""
Laura checked the transfer instructions.
"There's another problem. The account is controlled by a company registered under Daniel's name.""
I felt sick.
"Can they take all of it?""
"They're attempting to move the remaining liquid assets before anyone can obtain a court order.""
Michael looked at the clock.
"What can we do?""
Laura opened her briefcase.
"I'm contacting the emergency judge and submitting the new transaction records. I also want the bank's fraud department to flag every related account.""
Susan suddenly stood.
"I know someone who can help.""
Everyone turned toward her.
"Who?"" Michael asked.
"Victor Lang.""
Laura narrowed her eyes.
"Why would he help us?""
Susan swallowed.
"Because he's not the person Daniel thinks he is.""
She explained that she'd attended several private dinners with Chloe and Daniel over the previous year.
Victor Lang had been present at two of them.
At first, she'd believed he was simply another wealthy investor.
But during one dinner, she overheard him arguing with Daniel about the trust.
Victor had demanded proof that the assets could legally be transferred.
Daniel had insisted everything was already settled.
Victor had replied that he didn't want to acquire a company surrounded by fraud allegations.
Susan had kept a copy of the dinner invitation and Victor's direct business contact.
Laura immediately called him.
The first call went unanswered.
The second went to voicemail.
Then Michael said, "Try his office.""
Laura did.
A receptionist answered.
Laura introduced herself and explained that she represented the original trust beneficiaries.
The receptionist placed her on hold.
Three minutes later, a man's voice came through.
"This is Victor Lang.""
Laura explained the situation.
There was a long silence.
Then Victor asked, "Are you referring to the Williams family trust?""
"Yes.""
"Has the liquidation started?""
"Yes.""
He exhaled.
"Then Daniel lied to me.""
Michael leaned toward the phone.
"What did he tell you?""
Victor answered directly.
"He told me the trust had been legally distributed to the current beneficiaries. He also told me your mother had received a cash settlement years ago.""
I felt tears rise.
"I never received anything.""
"I understand that now, Mrs. Williams.""
Michael asked, "Why were you buying my father's company?""
Victor paused.
"Because I believed it was a legitimate acquisition. Daniel represented that the company had clean ownership records and that the trust assets were being used to satisfy existing liabilities.""
Laura interrupted.
"Did you know my client's property was being used as collateral?""
"No. Absolutely not.""
"Did you authorize the proposed $2.6 million loan?""
"I authorized preliminary discussions. I never approved using Mr. Williams as a guarantor.""
Michael looked at Laura.
Victor continued.
"Ms. Bennett, I want to be very clear. If fraudulent documents were submitted using the Williams family's identities, I will cooperate fully.""
"Can you stop the transfer to Lang Capital?""
"I can immediately instruct our bank to place the incoming funds under review.""
Laura wrote something down.
"Please do that.""
Victor added, "And I have something you should know. Daniel called me this afternoon.""
"What did he say?""
"He said his son had become difficult and that the family was considering a legal dispute. He asked me to complete the acquisition tonight.""
Michael laughed bitterly.
"Of course he did.""
Victor continued.
"I refused. Then he threatened to withdraw the deal.""
Laura asked for the call records and all acquisition correspondence.
Victor agreed to provide them.
When the conversation ended, Laura immediately contacted the court again.
This time, she received a response.
The emergency judge had reviewed the new evidence.
A temporary preservation order was being prepared.
But it wasn't signed yet.
I looked at Michael.
"How long?""
"Mom, we don't know.""
My phone vibrated.
A message appeared from Daniel.
You have no idea what you're doing. Tell Michael to stop before he destroys everything.
I showed Laura.
She took a photograph.
"Don't answer.""
Another message arrived.
You think you're protecting him? Ask your attorney what happens when the trust becomes insolvent.
Michael read it.
"He's trying to scare us.""
Laura nodded.
"Because he's running out of options.""
Then Susan's phone rang.
Chloe.
Susan answered on speaker.
"Where are you?"" Chloe demanded.
Susan remained silent.
"I know you've been talking to Margaret. Do you understand what you've done?""
Susan swallowed.
"I told them everything.""
Chloe laughed.
"You stupid woman.""
"I have the documents.""
"You have nothing. Do you think anyone will believe you after you signed the verification?""
Susan closed her eyes.
Chloe continued.
"Daniel is furious. You were supposed to keep your mouth shut.""
Susan finally spoke.
"You told me Margaret would never lose her house.""
"She won't need it when we're finished.""
I felt my stomach turn.
Chloe lowered her voice.
"And Michael? Once the loan is finalized, he'll be responsible for everything. He'll spend the rest of his life paying for this.""
Michael leaned toward the phone.
"Not anymore, Chloe.""
There was a sudden silence.
Then Chloe shouted.
"Michael?""
"Yes.""
"You have no idea how much trouble you're in.""
He answered calmly.
"No. I think you do.""
He ended the call.
At 11:36 p.m., Laura received an email.
The subject line read:
*TEMPORARY ASSET PRESERVATION ORDER — GRANTED.*
She opened it.
Her shoulders relaxed for the first time that evening.
"The judge has ordered the trust assets preserved pending further review. The administrator and identified financial institutions must suspend the disputed transactions.""
Michael closed his eyes.
"Did we stop it?""
"Some funds may already have moved, but the remaining assets are protected under the order. We will now seek recovery of any unauthorized transfers.""
I began crying.
Not because everything was over.
But because, for the first time in eighteen years, someone had listened.
Then Laura's phone rang again.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
"What do you mean Daniel has left the office?""
She listened.
"Where is he going?""
Another pause.
Then she looked at Michael.
"He's heading to the university.""
Michael frowned.
"Why?""
Laura lowered the phone.
"Because your father has requested an emergency meeting with the university president.""
I looked at my son.
"What does he want?""
Michael's jaw tightened.
"I think he wants to destroy my reputation before the investigation goes any further.""
Laura closed her briefcase.
"Then tomorrow morning, we make sure the truth gets heard.""
But Daniel wasn't waiting until tomorrow.
At 12:04 a.m., the university president received an email from an anonymous account.
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It contained a series of financial documents claiming that Michael had already received millions of dollars from the family trust.
And attached to the email was a statement accusing him of stealing confidential company records.
