Chapter 8
The auditors found enough irregularities to recommend preserving all foundation records and referring several transactions to outside authorities.
Vincent had a choice.
He could commission a private internal investigation.
Recover money.
Remove Beatrice.
Keep the Moretti name out of public filings.
That was what three senior relatives advised.
“Handle it ourselves.”
The phrase appeared again.
Vincent sat at the head of the boardroom table.
Elena sat halfway down.
Rebecca stood near the screen.
No Lucy.
No banquet.
No theatrics.
Just a decision.
Rebecca explained:
“If we refer the suspicious transactions, regulators may review years of foundation operations. They may also look at related Moretti entities.”
Vincent understood.
Legitimate entities could survive.
Others might attract uncomfortable questions.
The family’s public reputation would suffer.
Beatrice’s conduct might not remain the only conduct examined.
One cousin said quietly:
“We can fix the governance without inviting strangers into our books.”
Vincent looked at Elena.
She said nothing.
He realized she was waiting to see whether his promise from Part 3 meant anything once it became expensive.
Vincent asked Rebecca one question.
“If this were a foundation with no Moretti name attached, what would you advise?”
“Referral.”
“Then refer it.”
The room erupted.
Vincent raised one hand.
Silence returned.
“Preserve every record.”
A cousin stood.
“You’re opening the family to regulators.”
“Yes.”
“Over Beatrice?”
“No.”
Vincent’s voice stayed level.
“Over evidence.”
That was the irreversible decision.
By afternoon, outside counsel had contacted relevant state charity regulators and law enforcement financial investigators regarding the suspicious transactions.
An independent forensic team took control of document preservation.
Vincent could no longer quietly decide the outcome.
Beatrice learned within hours.
She called him personally.
He answered.
“You betrayed your father.”
Vincent leaned back in his chair.
“My father has been dead nineteen years.”
“He built this family.”
“And somehow that became permission for you to use charity money without questions.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Good.”
Vincent looked through the glass wall at investigators entering the foundation offices.
“They’ll tell me.”
For the first time, Beatrice stopped arguing.
Then she said something strange.
“If Elena had just stayed in her place, none of this would have happened.”
Vincent’s expression changed.
Not Lucy.
May you like
Elena.
The target had always been larger than the child.
