OWNED BY THE ENEMY

chapter 3:An Impossible Assignment

Eliza barely settled into her seat when a thick file landed on her desk with a heavy thud.

She looked up to find Richard Sterling standing over her, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"I need a complete review of the Morrison Holdings proposal," he said. "The board meeting starts at four. I expect a flawless report on my desk before then."

Eliza opened the file, and her eyes widened. It contained financial statements, contracts, legal documents, and months of transaction records.

"This is impossible," she said quietly.

Richard slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Nothing is impossible for someone who claims to be qualified."

Before she could respond, he walked back into his office.

The employees nearby exchanged nervous glances.

One of the senior accountants approached her desk.

"Miss Rossi," he whispered, "that report usually takes three people two days to finish."

Eliza smiled politely.

"Then I'd better get started."

For the next several hours, she buried herself in the files. She ignored the ringing phones, the chatter around the office, and even the lunch she had brought from home. Every page revealed tiny details that others had overlooked.

Then she froze.

One payment record didn't match the supporting documents.

She checked another file.

Then another.

The same account number appeared repeatedly, but the signatures were different.

Her heart raced.

Someone had been altering company records.

She quickly highlighted every suspicious transaction and completed the report just minutes before the meeting.

When Richard stepped out of his office, she handed him the neatly organized file.

"I'm done."

He looked at his watch.

"Right on time."

Inside the boardroom, senior executives filled the long conference table.

Richard flipped through the report while the directors waited.

Suddenly, he stopped.

His eyes narrowed.

"Who found these discrepancies?" he asked.

"I did," Eliza answered confidently.

One of the directors frowned.

"Those records have been reviewed for months."

"Then they were reviewed carelessly," Eliza replied. "The payment trail doesn't match the authorization forms. Someone changed the records after they were approved."

The room fell silent.

Richard studied her for a long moment.

There was no fear in her eyes.

Only certainty.

After the meeting ended, the directors quietly left the room.

Richard remained standing by the window.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"Most people in this company missed those errors."

Eliza crossed her arms.

"I simply paid attention."

He turned to face her.

"Or maybe..." he said slowly, "...you've seen this kind of fraud before."

The color drained from Eliza's face.

How could he possibly know anything about her father's case?

Before she could ask, Richard walked past her and said quietly, "Be in my office tomorrow morning. We have a lot to discuss."

The office door closed behind him, leaving Eliza with one question echoing in her mind.

What was Richard Sterling really hiding?