DETACHED

Chapter 25. Investigations

The following morning, Xavier was already in his office when Claire arrived. Several files were spread across his desk. He had barely touched his coffee. His attention remained fixed on the financial records in front of him.

Claire placed another folder beside the others.

"Mr. Cole, HR has arrived." She said .Xavier looked up.

"Send them in."

A few moments later, Miss Dema entered with one of the subsidiary managers.

She greeted him politely before taking the seat opposite his desk.

The manager sat beside her.

He looked uncomfortable..Xavier noticed immediately.

"Thank you for coming."

Miss Dema nodded.

"You asked for a review of the management structure."

"Yes." Xavier opened the first file.

"I want to understand how certain decisions were approved."

He turned toward the manager.

"You worked closely with Geoffrey."

"Yes, sir. " The manager replied.

"For how long?"

"Several years."

"And you never noticed anything unusual?".The manager hesitated.

"Not really." Xavier looked at him.

"Not really?"

"I mean... Geoffrey handled his department differently."

"Different how?" The manager shifted in his chair.

"He liked doing things his own way."

"That isn't what I asked."

The manager lowered his eyes Xavier remained calm.

"Did he ever change suppliers without informing other departments?"

"I wouldn't know." "Did you ever question him about it?"

"No."

"Why?"

The manager paused.

"He was the department head."

Xavier nodded slowly.

"So you simply trusted him."

"Yes, sir."

Xavier turned another page.

"Then explain this."

He pushed a document across the desk.

The manager looked down. His expression changed.

"This approval carries your signature."

"I don't remember that."

"You signed it."

"I may have." The manager said nervously shaking his legs "May have?"

The manager swallowed.

"I signed many documents." Xavier leaned back.

"And you don't read what you sign?"

"I read them."

"Then you should remember this one.The manager said nothing. Miss Dema looked at the document, then at him.

"Mr. Cole is asking you a simple question."

"I don't have anything else to say."

Xavier studied him quietly.

The man's answers were becoming shorter.

More defensive.

And every time Xavier asked about Geoffrey, he seemed to become more nervous.

"Did Geoffrey ever ask you to approve a transaction on his behalf?"

"No."

"Did he ever ask you to overlook a report?"

"No."

"Did he ever discuss his suppliers with you?"

"No." Xavier nodded

"All right."

The manager looked relieved..Xavier closed the file.

"I'll get back to you if I need anything else." The manager stood quickly.

"Of course, sir." He left the office. The door closed behind him.

Miss Dema remained seated. Xavier looked at her.

"I want the complete management records." Miss Dema looked at him.

"Everyone connected to Geoffrey?"

"Everyone who worked with him."

"That could take some time." She said

"Take the time." Xavier replied

She nodded.

"I'll have it prepared."

Xavier closed the folder.

"Good." Miss Dema stood.

"Anything else?"

"Yes."

She waited.

"Until I say otherwise, no management changes are to be made without my approval."

Miss Dema nodded.

"Understood."

She left.

Xavier remained alone.

He looked at the closed door. The manager had answered almost every question.

Yet somehow, he had answered nothing.

Xavier reached for his phone.

There was only one person he wanted to speak to now.

His father.

He stood, picked up the files, and walked toward the door.

Whatever was happening inside Cole Group was no longer something he could treat as a few isolated mistakes.

There was a pattern.

And Xavier intended to find it.

He stepped into the corridor and headed toward the Chairman's office.