Chapter 5 - The Paper Trail
The morning sun crept slowly across the vast estate lawns.
Inside the Sterling mansion, the silence felt heavy and deliberate.
Clara sat in a plush armchair next to Leo’s large bed.
She had stayed awake the entire night, watching the boy breathe.
Leo finally stirred, rubbing his sleepy hazel eyes.
He looked around the room, panicking for a brief second.
"I am right here, Leo," Clara said warmly.
The boy visibly relaxed and offered a small, shy smile.
Downstairs in the private study, Victor had not slept at all.
His massive mahogany desk was covered in printed financial documents.
His private investigator had worked relentlessly through the night.
The secure encrypted email arrived just before dawn.
Victor clicked the attachment with a heavy, trembling finger.
The evidence was far worse than he had ever imagined.
Thomas had been systematically siphoning funds from the company's international accounts.
He had masked the massive withdrawals as phantom offshore investments.
Furthermore, detailed phone records proved Thomas and Evelyn had been secretly communicating for over eight months.
They had aggressively planned to take complete control of Sterling Enterprises.
The only obstacle in their dark path was Leo's ironclad trust fund.
Victor felt a cold sweat form on his forehead.
He picked up his phone and dialed his lead corporate attorney.
"We need an emergency board meeting," Victor instructed sharply.
"Freeze all of Thomas's executive credentials and company accounts immediately."
"I want a complete security presence at the downtown office."
He hung up the phone just as a soft knock echoed from the study door.
Clara stood in the doorway, holding a fresh cup of dark roast coffee.
"I thought you might need this, sir," she said softly.
Victor accepted the warm mug, feeling a deep wave of genuine gratitude.
"How is he doing this morning?" Victor asked, his voice softening.
"He is asking for his father," Clara replied with a gentle nod.
Victor stood up immediately, leaving the devastating documents behind.
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The vast business empire could wait a few more minutes.
His son was finally his absolute top priority.
