CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE: DAMIEN

Why can't I just catch a fucking break? I was already stressed out about everything that was going on with my mother, and now I find out that someone is stealing from my firm again.

The evidence was unmistakable, but I couldn't believe someone within my own company, rather than a branch company, had been stealing from me as I stared at the financial records for the new project in front of me. The culprit was smart, stealing only little amounts each time the monthly building budget was granted, but he or she wasn't not clever enough, because I was still able to discover the theft.

How could they betray the faith I had placed in them? I'm going to get to the bottom of this because no one can steal from me and get away with it; he or she will be punished when I find them.

First and foremost, I had to call an emergency board meeting to address this situation before proceeding with an investigation.

I took out my phone and dialed the number for my executive assistant. After a few rings, she answered, her tone seductive as she answered me, but I wasn't in the mood for her games today.

"Tina, please schedule an emergency board meeting for tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.," I asked, my tone serious. "We have an urgent matter to deal with."

"Of course, Mr. Kingston," she said, her tone becoming more professional. I should have fired her, she was already getting too comfortable simply because we hooked up a few times. "I'll send out the invitations right now. What is the pressing issue you'd like to discuss at the meeting?"

I took a minute to gather my thoughts, debating whether it was a good idea to tell her about the theft, but I concluded that even if word of my knowledge of the theft reached the culprit, it would be too late because I already had my guys working to find the person.

"I discovered that someone has been stealing within the company, and I believe it is critical to notify the employees and devise a plan of action to apprehend the person responsible."

"Mr. Kingston, I will make certain that all necessary parties are notified and present at the meeting." 

"Good," I said, "I need you to act quickly on this." Make certain that everyone realizes the importance of their presence at the meeting in your email."

"Yes sir" Tina answered 

After I hung up the phone, my thoughts turned to the meeting the next day. After we nearly went bankrupt, I rebuilt this company from the ground up, investing my heart and soul into every aspect of its growth. So I'm quite pissed to find out that someone from within had exploited that trust, tarnished our reputation, and stolen my hard-earned money.

I was going through the list of persons working on the project looking for probable suspects when I noticed Tamara's name at the bottom of the list. It can't be, is her family trying to steal from me again after I let them off the first time? How dare she try to do this after knowing what's going on with my mother, how callous can she be? I'm going to treat this with extreme caution, she can't know I'm aware of her taking money from the project.

I didn't bother coming home because I didn't want to face her; I was afraid I'd lose it if I saw her, so I stayed at work for the night.

Next morning……

Murmurs filled the room as the staff took their seats, exchanging glances and whispers. As the room went silent when I walked in, my focus was drawn to Tamara, who was talking to her brother about something.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," I greeted them, my voice steady yet urgent. "Thank you everybody for coming on such short notice. We have a major problem to address—a breach of trust that has plagued our organization."

The room filled with murmurs once again, the tension on everyone's face is apparent as I attached my laptop to the projector and a series of incriminating documents came on the screen, evidence of the embezzlement that had been going on right under our noses.

"As you can see on the screen," I said, my tone firm, "I have discovered instances of theft within the company. This act has jeopardized our financial stability, harmed our brand, and risked our very existence."

I observed my employees' expressions of amazement, indignation, and betrayal. 

"We must act quickly and decisively to correct this situation," I said emphatically. "I have already launched an internal investigation, and everyone must work with the people who are coming to interview you. I will track down the person or people responsible and hold them accountable."

"How do you know it's someone here that is stealing?" The head of the design team Gary asked.

"Because only someone in this company will be able to achieve a feat such as this, I'm 90% sure it's not someone from a branch company," I explained as my gaze fell on Tamara, she wasn't paying attention and still talking to her brother, which fueled my anger, she was the one responsible and still acting like it's none of her business.

"I see," Gary said, and I couldn't stand it any longer of her seeming act nonchalant about the situation, so I called her attention, drawing everyone's attention to her. I knew I was making a horrible impression by scolding my wife in front of everyone, but I didn't care, my company was top priority.

"Mrs Tamara, is there anything you'd like to share with everyone, because it appears that this issue doesn't concern you or your brother?" I ask, trying not to lash out at her even if she was the one responsible.

"No, sir, as you said, the culprit is not from a branch company," Tamara responded as her brother glared at me.

"However, this does not mean that the branch companies will not be investigated as well." 

"All right, Mr Kingston, you're the boss," she said as she returned her attention to her brother ignoring me; wasn't she afraid of being caught? Why is she acting so nonchalant about the issue?

"The investigation will begin with the Sanders company, and the people involved in this project will be investigated first because you came up with the idea," I continued, and they both stopped ignoring me, giving me their full attention as they glared at me.

"Are you trying to imply something, Mr Kingston?" Because you sound awfully suspicious of us and what we were talking about," Alex said, his angry gaze fixed on me.

"I'm not implying anything, Mr Sanders; I just wanted to know what you guys were talking about that was so important that you didn't listen to a word I said." 

"We are not obligated to tell you what we were talking about, and if you want me to tell you everything you said during the meeting, I can." Tamara said staring at me head on, she really wasn't scared of getting caught by me, why is that?

"There's no need; just pay attention and we won't have a problem." 

"Okay sir" they both said as stared at me their face devoid of emotion

"Until the person is apprehended, all work on this project will be halted." 

"How long will the investigation take?" Gary asked.

"A day and a half, and then the culprit will be revealed, fired, and handed over to the police," I added as my attention moved to Tamara to observe her reaction, but she didn't seem scared, but rather angry.

"Now that you've all been informed, you may all return to work," I said as everyone began to leave the room whispering between themselves.

When Tamara was ready to leave, I stood in her path because she and I needed to talk about this theft and her role in it.

"I need to talk to you alone," I said, looking up at Alex, who was looking at me like he wanted to pull my head off. 

"Too bad, Mr Kingston, we always don't get what we want in life." Tamara said as she stepped closer to Alex.

"I'm serious, Tamara, we need to talk without him hovering over you," 

"It's as if you didn't get me the first time, so I'll be blunt: I said I don't want to talk to you alone, Mr Kingston."

"All right, Tamara, you choose to be stubborn, so I'll say what I have to say, but don't say I didn't warn you."

"Just say whatever you want to talk to me about and stop being dramatic."

"Why is your name on the list of people working on this project?"

"Mr William suggested it, why do you ask? Tamara asked, her face changing from confused to outraged in a sec, "You think I'm the one stealing from the company? So that's why you were being so disrespectful to Alex and me throughout the meeting."

"Everyone on that list is a suspect,"

"But you don't suspect them; you suspect me, Mr Kingston; of all the things you've accused me of, this is by far the worst."

"I have every right to suspect everyone on that list, just because you're my wife. It does not exempt you from the investigation."

"Alex, can you believe this asshole? He thinks I'm the one stealing, and the investigation isn't even done yet. Mr Kingston, how low can you go to portray me as a horrible person?"

"If you're not guilty, you'll work with my men to clear your name."

"You know what, fuck you Mr Kingston," Tamara said as she walked away, leaving me alone with her brother.

"I'm not sure what made you think Tamara was the one responsible for this theft, but I will not have you tarnish her name; she wasn't the one, so get that Into that thick skull of yours."

"I believe only in evidence, and if the evidence shows she is not guilty, I will believe her."

"I'm not sure what deal you struck with my father to get her hand in marriage because it's clear you don't love her, but I promise you I'll find out and get her away from you."

"Good luck with that," I replied as I walked away from him, but when I got to the hallway, Tamara was nowhere to be found; I'm not going to bother looking for her; we can have this conversation when I get home without interruption.