“This is an email Daniel sent to a private attorney two weeks ago,” she said.
Daniel stood. “That’s privileged.”
“Not when it was forwarded from a company account during an internal fraud investigation,” Helen replied.
She read the subject line aloud.
“Asset strategy before separation.”
My pulse stayed calm.
In the email, Daniel called me unstable. Said my reputation could be pressured. Asked if he could claim part of my house because he had “enhanced its social value.” Then came the sentence that made Patricia stop breathing.
“My mother can help push Rachel into a settlement.”
Patricia whispered, “Daniel?”
He didn’t look at her.
He looked at me.
“You weren’t supposed to find that.”
I almost smiled.
“That seems to be the theme of your life.”
By sunset, Daniel was suspended pending termination. His access was revoked. The board approved a forensic audit. Civil claims were filed within forty-eight hours. A criminal referral followed when auditors uncovered forged approvals.
Patricia called me three days later, crying.
“He told me you approved the transfers,” she said. “He said it was family money.”
“You believed him because it made you feel powerful,” I said.
