Chapter 2

“The system also shows that someone used his account to open the final bid at 8:47 pm.”

The screen flickered, then changed. One by one, the evidence appeared—the access logs, account activity, and file-opening records… Each timestamped and impossible to ignore.

I had indeed been on this floor that afternoon, but I had been in the conference room next door, completing a video signing on behalf of Issac.

The access-control system simply marked the entire floor as the project area. As for that account, I had never logged into it.

The compliance officer pushed a screenshot of a bank account across the table toward me.

“An affiliated company under Henry’s name received 20 million dollars today.”

The account listed me as the ultimate beneficial owner. However, the account had been opened using the name I had before the Peay family adopted me.

Dad's expression darkened completely. “Hand over your phone, computer, and bank accounts. All of them.”

“Sure. Go ahead and investigate.”

I looked around the room and continued.

“But my phone must be sealed in the presence of representatives from both the Peay and Grant families, then handed over to an independent third party with no ties to either side. Until then, no one is to access my devices privately.”

Charles planted both hands on the table. “Henry, every day this investigation drags on, the financing costs and damages will only increase.”

I replied, “That’s precisely why, with so much at stake, the evidence cannot be handed over to anyone who may be involved.”

I finished speaking and looked toward the compliance officer. His Adam’s apple visibly bobbed.

Dad slammed his hand against the table. “If you have nothing to hide, why won’t you let us investigate?!”

A few notification sounds rang out at the same time across the conference room. An official letter from Grant Corporation had been sent to every director’s phone.

Until both sides had jointly verified the evidence, no one was permitted to access, delete, or alter any records on the devices in question.

Right then, another message from Elizabeth appeared: [Don’t let anyone touch the original device.]

I turned off my phone screen.

For the first time, I saw the smile fade from Charles’ eyes.

When I returned to my office, I opened the electronic evidence-preservation page I had set up in advance. Every piece of original data connected to me had already been synchronized and submitted to an independent third party for preservation.

In this life, that USB drive had never passed through my hands.

If Charles still wanted to pin the crime on me, he would have to tamper with something else.

The more records he altered, the more traces he would leave behind.

…

The next morning, I walked into the executives' dining hall. Several people who had been sitting together immediately picked up their trays and moved to another table.

As I passed by, a conversation drifted into my ears.

“Charles is an adopted son too, but he knows how to take responsibility for the company.”

Charles happened to walk in from outside and glanced at everyone. “The investigation isn’t over yet. Don’t talk about my brother behind his back.”

Then he carried his tray over and sat down across from me.

“I’ll take responsibility for the project’s losses for now. Once you’re cleared, I’ll personally return your position to you in front of everyone.”

I looked up at him. “When did my position become yours to decide whether I get back?”

His hand stopped in midair, and the room fell silent.

Charles slowly set down his cutlery. “I’m trying to save you some dignity.”

I looked at him and replied in a calm voice, “You took my position from me, and now, you’re talking about saving me some dignity? That’s a little ridiculous, Charles.”

At 10:00 am, an emergency board meeting was called.

The bank that provided financing to Peay Corporation issued a final ultimatum. Within 24 hours, Peay Corporation had to have someone take responsibility.

Otherwise, the bank would reassess whether to continue extending credit to the company.

Claiming it was necessary to protect the company, Dad suspended all of my project authority. He stripped me of my position and froze the family benefits I had accumulated over the years. He even revoked my right to attend board meetings.

Finally, the announcement of the Peay and Grant families’ marriage alliance was put on hold.

I opened the disciplinary order.

“The investigation hasn’t even started. Why am I the only one whose authority has been suspended?”