I walked back into the office to find father and Ethan waiting for me, except Lisa, who was no longer around. I thought they would have left by now. Last night, I overheard them talk about going to the mayor's house for a visit, and something felt off, but I decided it was best not to ask questions.
"You are still here?" I said, placing the files on my desk. When I turned to look at them, none of them said a word.
They both stared at me, clearly waiting to hear why I had requested a meeting earlier this morning. I had already spoken to my mother, expecting her to talk me out of it, but to my suprise, she gave me green light.
Even if she had asked me not to investigate, I wouldn't have listened. I'm doing this for the company's growth, after all. If there's anyone embezzling money from this company, I will bring them to justice even if it means terminating their employees.
All employees are paid weekly allowance, and they still get their paychecks, so I see no reason why you have to steal from the hands feeding you. I took my seat and focused on two of them.
"If there's something you want me to say, say it, you guys should stop giving me that look?" I rolled my eyes, starting to open my laptop bag.
"Father, is something going on?" I heard Ethan ask, his voice sounding confused and uncertain.
"Let's hear it from her." Father replied, but there was desperation in his tone that gave him away.
I raised my hands in surrender. There was no point in keeping it from them. "I called this meeting because of something I have been suspecting. The general manager needs to explain what happened to the missing money." I said, settling back in my chair.
This was going to be a tough battle, but I wasn't backing down. If I didn't get a satisfactory explanation, I would terminate his contract with the company.
"If he doesn't explain by the end of the week, you will have to suspend them till further notice?" Come on Emily! It hasn't come to that." Father said, glancing at Ethan for support. Even if Ethan tries to stop me, I won't back out.
"Father, I oversee the company now. Please don't interfere when I make decisions. You trust me—that's why you handed the company to me."
I heard him sigh as he rubbed his face. "I respect your decision, but I want to take a look at the problem, you are trying to solve first." He said.
Without hesitation, I turned off the lights in the office and switched on the projector, making the screen visible to both of them, for what I was about to explain.
I quickly pulled out my excel sheet and opened a relevant file. "These are the months when expenses were made but not properly documented." If you look closely, you will notice there's a two-month gap between each of the discrepancies." I highlighted the relevant months and pointed out where the abnormalies were. It might look like a mistake to them, but to me, it was done with intent.
"Are you saying that for the month of July and August, everything was balanced, but in September, a huge amount of money was taken out?" Ethan asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"Not just money." I continued, "some equipment worth billions was also taken, supposedly on the manager's instructions, but the funds were never deposited. If you look at October and November, everything is balances out, but in December, there's a significant shortage."
I made sure to explain clearly because father seemed confused. I could tell he was struggling to believe what he was seeing. He had been working with the manager for years, and from what I had heard from mother, it was his father who has recommended the manager for the job.
The manager is the highest- paid employee in the company, but that didn't stop him from stealing. If the secretary hadn't kept records of what comes in and goes out of the company, there's no way I would have discovered this.
The company operates based on what the manager presents at the end of each month. So no one would have suspected him of something like this. But I didn't need anyone to tell me it was him. His reaction gave him away, and I'm sure the secretary knows something, but is too scared to speak up.
We all sat in silence waiting for my father to say something. He looked shocked, clearly not expecting anything like this to have happened.
"I want to meet the manager, Ethan, please send him in." Father ordered, taking us by suprise. I don't expect him to take matters into his hands, I am in charge, I should do my work.
"This isn't the time to talk to him, I will advise you let my sister take care of him." She's given hik a week to clear things, let's wait till then."
I don't know what this is, but I could feel there's more to why father doesn't want me to handle the case.
"I don't think she can handle things in her own. The manager is from a respectable family, if words get out, they will blame her for trying to ruin his reputation."
"I am not scared, father. Whoever wants to blame me can go ahead. As long as I am the head of this company, I will handle things my way. Please, do not intervene."
I watched as father rise from the couch, locking eyes with me. "I trust you." He said, " I just hope this can be settled amicably. I don't want it to end up in court."
I chuckled softly; the thought amused me. If the manager couldn't explain himself, I won't let it slide. Others will learn from him, and never tries to steal from the company that feeds you.
I stood up and walked over to him. "I will see what I can do, father. But I need to get back to work now." I pulled him in for a warm hug.
"Alright! We will be on our way now. Have a wonderful day." He pulled me out of the hug, patting my hair.
I smiled softly.
"Take care of yourself. It's your first day,don't overwork yourself." Ethan said, I nodded in understanding, and watched as they walked out of the office.
As soon as the door closed behind them, I let out a small sigh. It's my first day, and it's already shaping up to be a long one. I still need to check the inventory, see what's left in the storage, and track the incoming shipments.
I walked back to my desk, ready to grab my notepad, when my phone caught my attention. Ryan's name flashed on the screen.
Why would he even think of calling me? We are divorced. Zara's already replaced me, he should be happy with her. The call ended, but before I could put the phone down, it rang again. I didn't want any distractions. Dropping the phone back on the desk, I headed out of the room.
"Ms. Emma, take me to the storage room." I ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" She responded, stood up, and led me to the directions of the rooms.
I watch as employees murmurs, while looking in my direction. I am not here to play, I am here to work, so everyone should know their limits.