Later, Evan joined them unexpectedly. He asked questions. He listened. He noticed Natalie’s sincerity. When Kendra entered the room and saw them together, her face drained of color, not from jealousy, but from fear.
That afternoon, Marilyn heard whispers in the restroom.
“My cousin Trevor Mills works in systems,” Kendra said into her phone. “He will move the funds. Two million. The intern will take the fall.”
Marilyn closed her eyes briefly. Sometimes corruption must finish its own sentence before it can be silenced.
The next morning at nine fifteen, investigators arrived.
Natalie was escorted away in tears. Records showed a massive transfer from her workstation.
“I did nothing,” Natalie cried. “This is not mine.”
Evan arrived too late to stop it. Kendra clutched his arm, pretending shock.
“She fooled us all,” she said.
Evan watched Natalie disappear, doubt gnawing at him.
That night, bail was posted anonymously. Natalie was taken to a quiet townhouse owned by one of Marilyn’s holding companies. Marilyn visited her, still in disguise.
“People who steal rarely leave trails this obvious,” Marilyn said gently. “Ask yourself who benefits.”
Seeds of doubt took root.