Chapter 8 - Victoria’s Advisory Company Hid More Payments
The audit of Langford Advisory uncovered another problem.
Over five years, Bennett Gallery Holdings had paid Victoria’s firm $1.6
million.
Some work was legitimate.
Event planning.
Collector introductions.
Fundraising.
But roughly $430,000 had vague descriptions.
“Strategic access.”
“Private acquisition support.”
“Legacy consulting.”
No supporting files existed.
Victoria said wealthy clients often required discretion.
Thomas agreed that some confidentiality was normal.
The accountants still required documentation.
Then one payment stood out.
$120,000 transferred two days after Meridian signed the letter of
intent.
Recipient:
Langford Advisory.
Reference:
TRANSACTION PREPARATION.
Victoria claimed it covered months of work.
There was no engagement letter.
Ethan’s company also invoiced $85,000 that same week.
Now Claire understood why Victoria had panicked when Thomas announced
the transfer.
If Claire controlled the gallery, she controlled whether those
related-party arrangements were reviewed.
And Emma—
No, Claire corrected herself.
She was done thinking of herself as the employee’s daughter standing
outside the family.
May you like
She was the owner reviewing insiders who had assumed nobody would ever
question them.
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