Breaking The Rules

Chapter 19

Sandra's POV

With a shuddering breath, I reached for my phone and answered.

"Hello, sweetheart."

"Finally! I've been trying to reach you for a while now."

Tony's voice sounded unusually tense, and I immediately straightened on the sofa. I glanced at Deborah, who was watching me with worried, bloodshot eyes.

"I'm sorry, darling. I was talking to Deborah and didn't realize how much time had passed."

"It's alright. I just wanted to hear your voice. There's been a lot happening today, and honestly, I don't even know where to begin."

My heart tightened in my chest.

"What's wrong, honey? Is everything alright?"

He released a tired, ragged sigh.

"Not exactly, sweetheart. But I think I've finally uncovered something that might help us understand what's happening."

I sat completely upright, gripping the phone more firmly against my ear.

"What did you find?"

"Remember those documents I told you about? The ones accusing me of authorizing fraudulent transactions through the company?"

"Yes."

"I went to Apex Media Group today to finalize the arrangements for the media campaign. That's where I came across something rather disturbing."

I listened intently, every nerve ending firing.

"They had a complete folder containing the documents that were being circulated against me. I requested copies because I wanted to examine exactly what had been presented to the press. I wasn't going to walk into a press conference without knowing what I was dealing with."

He paused briefly, the sound of the car's interior hum drifting through the speaker.

"When I got into my car, I decided to go through everything. Sandra, I found my signature on the authorization page."

I frowned.

"But you said you never signed those documents."

"Exactly. That's why I examined it closely. At first glance, it looked almost identical to my signature. Whoever did it had clearly taken their time. But there were details they couldn't get right."

I could hear the frustration and growing fury building in his voice.

"You know how I sign my name, don't you? There's a particular way I write the final stroke, and I always include my middle initial in a specific position. Those details were different on the document. The signature was carefully imitated, but it wasn't mine."

"Oh my God, Tony."

"That wasn't even the most disturbing part. I compared the document with some of my original company records on my tablet. The formatting, the legal stamps, and even the internal templates were identical to materials used inside my company."

I covered my mouth with a trembling hand.

"Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking?"

"I'm scared it is. Whoever forged those documents had access to confidential company records. This wasn't some random person sitting on the outside trying to imitate my signature. Someone who understands our internal operations was involved."

A cold sensation traveled down my spine.

"Are you saying someone in your company did this?"

"I'm saying it's a strong possibility. I can't accuse anyone without hard evidence, but I've narrowed access down to a very small, trusted circle of people."

I looked toward Deborah. She had stopped moving entirely, her full attention fixed on me.

"Have you told anyone?"

"Not yet. I need to be careful. If there's a traitor within my company, confronting the wrong person could destroy whatever opportunity I have of finding the truth."

He sounded completely exhausted.

For a brief, agonizing moment, I imagined him sitting alone in that car, discovering that someone he trusted had deliberately worked to tear down everything he had built.

If only you knew what I just did, a voice screamed inside my head. If only you knew how dirty I really am.

"Tony, I'm so sorry you're going through this."

"Don't be, sweetheart. None of this is your fault. I just wish I could understand why someone would go this far to bring me down."

I swallowed hard, tasting ash.

"Have you managed to do anything about the media?"

A faint sigh of relief escaped him.

"Yes. That's actually why I'm calling. I've settled the media arrangement."

My eyes widened.

"You have?"

"Yes. I transferred the remaining one million dollars to Apex Media Group after you sent the two million to my account. Marcus Bennett, their crisis management strategist, has agreed to handle the counter-campaign. The clarification will be circulated across the major business networks, and we're preparing a press statement explaining that the documents contain forged authorization signatures."

I felt my shoulders loosen just an inch.

For the first time since leaving Harrison's hotel room, I experienced something close to genuine relief.

"Thank goodness, Tony. At least something is finally working out."

"I know, baby. You have no idea how relieved I am. I've been carrying this burden for days, wondering how I was going to defend myself against something I never did."

His voice softened on the line.

"I just hope the media campaign gets enough attention to stop the damage before it becomes irreversible."

"It will. You'll see."

"I hope so. But there's another problem."

My brief moment of relief vanished as quickly as it came.

"What problem?"

"The business group."

I closed my eyes tightly.

The contract.

I had almost forgotten how much hung in the balance.

"They're still insisting that I clear my name before they'll allow me to sign the agreement. They've made it clear that they won't associate their organization with anyone facing unresolved allegations of financial misconduct."

"Even after the media publishes the clarification?"

"Unfortunately, yes. The media campaign will help restore public confidence, but it doesn't automatically prove who fabricated those documents. They want verifiable evidence that I wasn't involved in the fraudulent transactions."

I lowered my head, my hair falling forward to shield my face.

"How much time do you have?"

"Not much. I've already asked them for additional time, but I can't keep postponing the agreement. We need to identify whoever did this and obtain the original records before they make their final decision."

His words carried a quiet desperation I had rarely heard from him.

"Tony, we'll find a way. You didn't build your company overnight, and you won't lose it because someone decided to play dirty."

"I know, sweetheart. That's what I'm holding on to."

He went quiet for a moment, the ambient sound of traffic filtering through.

"There's something else I've been thinking about."

"What is it?"

"The money you transferred. I know I haven't properly thanked you. I was so overwhelmed with everything happening that I barely had time to appreciate what you did."

My throat tightened into a knot.

"Sweetheart, you don't have to thank me."

"I do. Two million dollars isn't a small amount, Sandra. You went out of your way to secure it when I had almost run out of options. I don't know how you managed to convince that lady, but I'm deeply grateful."

I stared blankly at the floor.

If only gratitude could erase what had happened.

"All I wanted was to help you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"And you did. You've given me another chance to fight for everything we've built together."

A hot tear slipped down my cheek, catching on my jawline.

"Tony, I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything."

I bit my lower lip so hard I tasted copper, fighting the overwhelming urge to confess everything right there, in the middle of Deborah's living room.

I wanted to tell him about Harrison. I wanted to explain why I had gone to Crown Perth and why I had returned feeling like a complete stranger to my own skin.

But the words remained trapped in my throat, heavy and suffocating.

"Are you still with Deborah?" he asked.

"Yes. I'm at her place."

"Alright. Tell her I said hello. I should be home soon, and we can discuss everything properly."

"I will."

"And Sandra?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Please don't worry too much. We've survived difficult situations before. I'm not giving up on this company, and I'm certainly not giving up on us."

The last three words nearly broke me.

"Okay, Tony."

"I'll see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too."

The call ended.

I slowly lowered my phone, staring at the dark screen as though his final words were still glowing there.

Deborah shifted closer to the sofa.