Episode 10: The Chairman Steps In
824 Words
The convoy of black luxury cars came to a sharp stop in front of Harrison Group Headquarters.
The entrance was in chaos.
Television cameras crowded the front steps. Reporters shouted questions while employees stood helplessly, watching investigators move in and out of the building.
The moment Ethan stepped out of the car, camera flashes exploded.
"It's Chairman Ethan Carter!"
"Chairman Carter, are you here to save Harrison Group?"
"Is Carter Global acquiring the company today?"
"Are the fraud allegations true?"
Ethan ignored every question and walked toward the entrance with Raymond and the company's legal team behind him.
The investigators tried to stop him.
"Sir, this is a restricted area."
Raymond calmly handed over an identification card.
"I'm Raymond Hayes, Executive Advisor to Carter Global. These are our legal counsel and forensic accountants. We've been invited by Harrison Group to assist."
After verifying the documents, the lead investigator nodded.
"You may enter."
---
Inside the conference room, Richard Harrison sat with his lawyers. His face was tired, but he remained composed.
When Ethan entered, everyone stood.
Richard looked ashamed.
"Ethan..."
Ethan raised a hand.
"This isn't the time for apologies."
"We're here to find the truth."
Richard nodded gratefully.
An investigator placed several folders on the table.
"These are the financial records that prompted the investigation."
Ethan opened the files one by one.
He read every page carefully.
The room was so quiet that the sound of turning paper echoed through it.
After nearly twenty minutes, Ethan closed the final folder.
He looked at the investigators.
"These records have been altered."
The lead investigator frowned.
"Can you prove that?"
Ethan turned to Carter Global's chief forensic accountant.
"Ms. Lewis."
A woman in her forties stepped forward.
She connected her laptop to the conference room screen.
"As Chairman Carter suspected," she began, "someone manipulated these files."
She enlarged one of the documents.
"The digital timestamps don't match."
She opened another file.
"The electronic signatures were copied from older contracts."
Another slide appeared.
"And this company seal..."
She zoomed in.
"...is a counterfeit."
The investigators leaned closer.
One of them nodded slowly.
"You're right."
"It is fake."
Richard let out a long breath of relief.
"I knew someone was framing us."
The lead investigator looked at Ethan.
"If these documents are forged..."
"Then who created them?"
Ethan closed the folder.
"The person who benefits the most."
At that moment, Raymond's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
"Chairman..."
"Our cybersecurity department traced the anonymous email."
Everyone looked at him.
"It was sent from a private server."
"Can you identify the owner?" Ethan asked.
Raymond nodded.
"The server belongs to Kane Holdings."
Silence filled the room.
Richard slowly stood.
"Victor Kane..."
Ethan wasn't surprised.
"I expected as much."
---
Across the city...
Victor Kane poured himself a glass of wine as he watched the news.
His assistant hurried into the office.
"Mr. Kane!"
Victor smiled confidently.
"The arrest has already happened?"
The assistant swallowed hard.
"No..."
"The investigators have discovered the documents were forged."
Victor's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"They now suspect someone deliberately framed Harrison Group."
Victor slammed the glass onto his desk.
It shattered into dozens of pieces.
"Impossible!"
"I covered every trace."
His phone suddenly rang.
The caller ID displayed an unknown number.
Victor answered.
"What?"
A deep voice spoke from the other end.
"You underestimated Ethan Carter."
Victor's expression darkened.
"Who is this?"
The caller chuckled.
"Someone who knows the Carter family much better than you do."
The line went dead.
Victor stared at the phone.
For the first time since Ethan's return...
He felt something he hadn't experienced in years.
Fear.
---
Back at Harrison Group...
The investigators gathered their files.
"Chairman Harrison," the lead investigator said, "based on the new evidence, you're no longer under suspicion."
"The investigation will now focus on the individuals responsible for creating these forged documents."
Richard bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
As the investigators left, the conference room became quiet.
Richard turned to Ethan.
"You saved us."
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
"I saved the truth."
Margaret stepped forward, tears filling her eyes.
"I don't know how we'll ever repay you."
Ethan looked at her calmly.
"Start by treating people with respect."
"Not because they're rich..."
"But because they're human."
Margaret lowered her head in shame.
No one spoke.
Those words hurt more than any punishment.
As Ethan prepared to leave, Raymond received another urgent message.
"Chairman..."
"Our cybersecurity team found something else."
"What is it?" Ethan asked.
Raymond looked up.
"The hacker who forged the documents..."
"...is still inside Carter Global's network."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"So this isn't over."
He buttoned his suit jacket and walked toward the door.
"Seal every system."
"No one leaves headquarters until we find the traitor."
Behind him, the Harrison family watched in silence.
They realized that Ethan's greatest battle wasn't with them anymore.
It was with an enemy who had already infiltrated his own empire.
To be continue
- Writer
