Chapter 8 - THE MONEY WITH HER FATHER’S NAME ON IT.
The pension transfers led to a consulting firm partially owned by Ward Capital.
For three years, millions of dollars moved from Price employee accounts into investment vehicles carrying Daniel Ward’s authorization code.
Ella felt the room turn toward her.
The guests who had recently applauded were ready to reverse themselves again.
Wealthy society did not care about truth as much as it cared about standing near the side most likely to survive.
Vivian regained her confidence.
She said the Ward family had always pretended to be morally superior while profiting from the same transactions.
Owen accused Daniel of designing the entire scheme, then using Ella to destroy the Prices before investigators could reach him.
For the first time that night, Ella did not know what to believe.
Nathan warned that authorization codes could be stolen, but the signatures looked authentic.
Mr. Hale studied the records.
He recognized the name of Daniel’s former chief financial officer, Charles Mercer.
Mercer left Ward Capital after a private dispute and joined the Price advisory board months later.
Ella remembered him as a trusted family friend who attended birthdays, graduations, and her mother’s funeral.
Daniel had never explained why he was dismissed.
Ella called her father again.
This time, he did not answer.
Vivian’s smile widened.
Perhaps the photograph at the clinic had not been a threat after all.
Perhaps Daniel had been negotiating privately with Owen.
Ella refused to defend him without evidence.
That choice surprised everyone.
The Price family expected loyalty to mean blindness because that was how their world operated.
Ella told Nathan to send the Ward records to investigators too.
“If my family took that money, our name doesn’t make it less stolen.”
Mr. Hale looked at her with quiet pride.
Then the double doors opened once more.
Daniel Ward entered carrying no lawyer, no security team, and no explanation.
Behind him walked Charles Mercer.
Owen seemed relieved to see him.
Daniel placed a flash drive on the table.
“Charles has agreed to explain the payments.”
Mercer shook his head.
“No, Daniel.”
May you like
He looked at Ella.
“I came to explain why your father was willing to let you marry Owen.”
