Chapter 6 - Thomas Had Used The Wrong Password
Emily wanted to believe Thomas had an explanation.
He did.
It was not the one anyone expected.
Thomas denied opening the trust file.
IT examined his laptop.
Malware had captured his login credentials after he opened an attachment
from a vendor email.
The message appeared to come from Harbor House’s linen supplier.
It was fake.
Someone had targeted Thomas deliberately.
The stolen credentials were used to access Rebecca’s trust documents.
Then Emily’s personnel file.
Then HR systems.
The digital trail led to a consulting firm.
Northline Strategy.
Charles Cole owned forty percent of it through another company.
Evelyn’s attorney contacted federal and state investigators because the
evidence now involved possible unauthorized computer access and
corporate fraud.
Emily did not celebrate.
She had spent years working as a waitress because she liked the
restaurant floor.
Not because she was secretly waiting to become an heiress.
Her mother’s stake was valuable, but Emily had never built her identity
around it.
Now strangers had turned her job into a weapon against her.
That evening, Ryan called.
Emily almost ignored him.
Then she answered with her attorney listening.
Ryan sounded different.
No laughter.
No arrogance.
“Madison went too far.”
Emily nearly hung up.
“You filed false complaints.”
“I was told they were documenting service issues.”
“You wrote them.”
“My father told me what to say.”
“You’re an adult.”
Silence.
Emily continued.
“You came into my workplace three times and lied about me.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t hide behind your father.”
Ryan exhaled.
“He said you were trying to block the deal because Evelyn promised you
money.”
“I didn’t know I owned shares until yesterday.”
Ryan went silent.
Emily realized something.
Charles had lied to his own son too.
Then Ryan whispered:
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“My father didn’t choose Madison randomly.”
Emily waited.
May you like
Ryan said:
“Madison works for Northline.”
