He kicked a flowerpot.
The camera recorded that too.
The corporate investigation uncovered fake investor meetings, fraudulent travel expenses, and vendor payments routed through Meridian Consulting.
The missing money exceeded $300,000.
Ryan and Nicole were terminated.
Both became subjects of criminal investigations.
Ryan claimed I had approved every transfer.
Olivia produced hospital records proving I was under anesthesia during one of the authorizations.
Digital forensic experts traced the approvals directly to Ryan’s laptop.
At mediation, he looked like a different man.
No expensive watch.
No designer suit.
No confidence.
Just exhaustion and desperation.
“This has gone far enough,” he said.
“Then why did you start it?”
“It was a mistake.”
Olivia slid a folder across the table.
Inside were photographs, bank records, emails, and a transcript of Ryan’s voicemail.
