Richard leaned forward. Daniel is not responsible for accounting. Clare answered calmly. No one said he was. Daniel continued explaining only what he personally knew.
He did not speculate. He did not point fingers. He simply showed where the maintenance records differed from the financial summaries. When he finished, Clare turned toward the finance director. Can you confirm the approval history?
The director opened the authorization records. Several adjustments were processed through operations. Richard's expression tightened. That still does not establish who made the changes. Clare looked at him.
Agreed. She closed the folder. Which is why the independent review will continue. Daniel stood. If you do not need anything else, I should get back to work.
One board member looked at him. Mr. Carter, why did you keep such detailed records? Daniel thought for a moment. Because when something goes wrong, someone needs to know what happened. The board member nodded slowly.
That makes sense. Daniel left the room. In the hallway, he checked his phone. Lily had sent him a message asking whether he could bring home strawberry ice cream. He smiled.
Of course, he whispered. Inside the conference room, Clare watched him disappear. Richard remained seated. You are making a mistake by involving him. Clare looked directly at him.
I am not involving him. I am listening to him. She gathered the documents. There is a difference. Richard said nothing.
Clareire returned to the final approval record. One entry had been changed after the original invoice was submitted and the authorization had passed through Richard's office. She looked up. We will wait for the independent review. The room became still.
For the first time, Richard seemed to understand that Clare was no longer asking questions to satisfy her curiosity. She was asking because she intended to follow the truth wherever it led. Let him finish. Clareire Bennett said it calmly, but the words changed the room. Daniel Carter stood at the end of the conference table with a folder in his hands.
While the board members looked between him and Richard Hail, the independent review had been underway for several days, and the preliminary findings had raised serious questions about the financial records behind the proposed staffing changes. Clare had invited Daniel because some of the original records came from his department. She had made one thing clear before the meeting began. only tell them what you know. Daniel had nodded. That is what I will do.
Now, Richard was trying to move the discussion forward. We should not allow routine accounting discrepancies to distract us from the cost reduction plan. Daniel remained quiet until one board member asked him directly. Mr. Carter, can you explain why these maintenance records do not match the financial summaries? Daniel opened his folder.
Yes. He placed the first document on the table. This equipment was replaced under a contractor warranty. Our department did not pay this amount. He placed another document beside it.
This service was completed on a different date from the one listed in the financial report. The board member looked at the finance director. Can you confirm that? The finance director checked the records. Yes.