Chapter 12 - Claire becomes the suspect in Daniel’s story
Daniel’s counterattack began through lawyers.
Not threats in an alley.
Documents.
His attorney sent the audit committee a letter alleging I had:
Accessed confidential company systems.
Manipulated records.
Conspired with Dana because of marital conflict.
Used the domestic-battery allegation to gain leverage in divorce.
Improperly removed Daniel’s business phone from his possession.
I had not removed it.
He left it downstairs.
But the broader argument had enough truth to require review.
Then Daniel alleged something more serious.
He claimed I had benefited from vendor payments.
One Lakeshore transfer had ultimately funded a checking account from which our home renovation contractor was paid.
Amount:
$18,200.
I did not know.
Daniel had told me the renovation funds came from a bonus.
Investigators now had to determine whether I knowingly benefited.
Humiliating.
Necessary.
Dana did not say:
We know you’re innocent.
She said:
“We have to follow it.”
“Do you think I stole?”
“I think money reached a household expense.”
“Daniel handled it.”
“That is not an answer auditors can stop at.”
May you like
I hated her professionalism.
It saved me later.
