Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 94: Financial Breach

Chapter 94: Financial Breach

The morning after the charity gala, Isabella arrived at her office earlier than usual. Sleep had eluded her, her mind racing with possibilities and connections. She’d spent hours reviewing the security footage from the executive floor, searching for whoever had used her credentials to access the secure server.

The culprit had been careful—wearing a maintenance uniform, cap pulled low, face always angled away from cameras. Professional. Deliberate. The work of someone who understood Ashworth’s security protocols intimately.

Isabella was reviewing the footage for the third time when Liam entered, carrying two cups of coffee.

"You look like you need this," he said, placing one on her desk. "Did you sleep at all?"

"Sleep is overrated," Isabella replied, accepting the coffee gratefully. "Any word from IT about what was accessed during the breach?"

Liam nodded, setting his tablet before her. "Financial records, primarily. Specifically, the offshore accounts established for the Davies integration. Someone was looking for the transfer protocols."

Isabella frowned, studying the data. "The shadow system we set up—did they access that or the actual accounts?"

"Both," Liam said. "They were thorough. First checked the shadow system, then somehow detected it wasn’t genuine and found their way to the real accounts."

"Impressive," Isabella murmured. "Not many people could manage that. Even fewer would know to look for a shadow system in the first place."

A soft knock interrupted them. Marcus stood in the doorway, his expression grim.

"You need to see this," he said without preamble.

Isabella gestured for him to enter. Marcus approached her desk, placing a manila folder before her.

"Johnston detected something unusual while monitoring the financial transfers last night," he explained. "He asked our external security consultant to look into it. This is what they found."

Isabella opened the folder, her eyes scanning the contents quickly. With each page, her expression hardened.

"Five million dollars," she said finally, looking up. "Siphoned gradually over the past three weeks from our primary operating account."

"Transferred through seventeen different shell companies before landing in an account in the Cayman Islands," Marcus confirmed. "Whoever did this knows how to hide money."

Isabella leaned back in her chair, her mind rapidly calculating possibilities. "This isn’t just about theft. Five million is significant, but not worth the risk for someone with access to our executive systems."

"A test run," Liam suggested. "Seeing if they could move money undetected before attempting something larger."

"Or a distraction," Isabella countered. "Something meant to capture our attention while the real operation unfolds elsewhere." She turned to Marcus. "Has Jeremy arrived yet?"

"Just pulled into the garage," Marcus replied. "Want me to bring him up?"

Isabella shook her head. "No. Let him proceed with his morning as usual. I want to see what he does when the financial discrepancy is discovered through normal channels."

"And when will that happen?" Liam asked.

Isabella checked her watch. "The morning financial review starts in twenty minutes. I’ve asked Johnston to provide an unusually detailed report today. The discrepancy will be impossible to miss."

"You anticipated this," Marcus observed.

"I anticipated something," Isabella corrected. "The timing is surprising, but not the action itself." She rose from her desk. "Now, shall we proceed with our day as planned? I have a breakfast meeting with Seraphina to discuss the marketing strategy for the Davies partnership announcement."

"Are you sure that’s wise?" Marcus asked, his protective instincts evident in his tone. "With everything happening—"

"It’s essential," Isabella interrupted gently. "Maintaining normal routines is our best strategy now. Besides, Seraphina’s insights on corporate messaging are unparalleled. We’ll need her expertise to navigate whatever public fallout might come from this situation."

Marcus looked unconvinced but nodded. "I’ll be monitoring the executive floor. Johnston will coordinate with security to track all of Jeremy’s movements and communications today."

"Good," Isabella said. "Liam, after you sit in on the financial review, meet me in the Montgomery conference room. I want your read on Jeremy’s reaction."

As they departed—Marcus to his security duties, Liam to the financial meeting—Isabella gathered her materials for her breakfast with Seraphina. Her outward demeanor remained calm and collected, but inwardly, her mind was assembling puzzle pieces, testing theories, planning contingencies.

The game had shifted from opening moves into the middle stage, where strategies revealed themselves through action rather than intent. And Isabella Ashworth had always excelled at reading the board.

The Montgomery Restaurant occupied the entire forty-second floor of the Ashworth Building, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of Manhattan. At this early hour, the restaurant was nearly empty, with just a few tables occupied by executives starting their day with power breakfasts.

Seraphina was already seated at Isabella’s preferred table when she arrived—a corner position offering both privacy and a commanding view of the entire restaurant.

"You look tired," Seraphina observed as Isabella took her seat. "The charity gala must have run late."

"Something like that," Isabella replied, accepting the coffee a waiter immediately poured. "Thank you for meeting on such short notice."

"Of course," Seraphina said, studying Isabella’s face with those perceptive eyes that had always seen too much. "Though I admit I was surprised by the urgency. The partnership announcement isn’t scheduled for another three weeks."

Isabella took a sip of her coffee before responding. "Plans may need to accelerate. We’ve encountered a... situation."

Seraphina’s eyebrows rose slightly. "What kind of situation?"

"A financial discrepancy," Isabella said carefully. "Significant enough to warrant concern, particularly with the Davies integration underway."

"I see," Seraphina replied, her tone measured. "May I ask the nature of this discrepancy?"

Isabella hesitated, as if considering how much to reveal—a calculated pause to suggest vulnerability. "Five million dollars has been siphoned from our operating accounts over the past three weeks. Sophisticated transfers, well-hidden."

Seraphina’s expression shifted to one of appropriate concern. "That’s alarming. Have you spoken with Jeremy about this?"

"Not yet," Isabella admitted. "The discrepancy was only discovered this morning. I wanted your counsel before proceeding."

"My counsel?" Seraphina repeated, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"You’ve always had an exceptional ability to read people, Sera," Isabella said, using the old nickname deliberately. "You’ve known Jeremy longer than I have. I need your assessment—could he be involved?"

Seraphina appeared to consider this carefully. "Jeremy is ambitious, certainly. And he’s been... frustrated lately. He feels his financial expertise is being undervalued, particularly regarding the Davies integration."

"Has he mentioned specific concerns to you?" Isabella pressed.

"Only in passing," Seraphina replied smoothly. "Though he did express surprise that you’d consult external auditors without involving him."

’So Jeremy’s been talking to her,’ Isabella noted mentally.

"I see," she said aloud. "What would you recommend as next steps?"

Seraphina leaned forward slightly. "If I may speak candidly?"

"Always," Isabella encouraged.

"Five million dollars is concerning, but it’s the timing that troubles me more," Seraphina said. "With the Davies partnership so close to finalization, this could be an attempt to destabilize Ashworth—or your leadership specifically."

Isabella nodded thoughtfully. "The question is: who would benefit from such destabilization?"

"Jeremy is the obvious suspect," Seraphina acknowledged. "But he lacks both the technical expertise and the subtlety for something this sophisticated."

"Who else, then?" Isabella asked.

Seraphina hesitated before responding. "Have you considered everyone in your inner circle, Isabella? Even those closest to you?"

"You mean Marcus?" Isabella asked, feigning misunderstanding.

"No," Seraphina corrected gently. "Marcus’s loyalty is unquestionable. I was thinking of Liam."

Isabella allowed surprise to register on her face. "Liam? He’s been with me for two years."

"Precisely," Seraphina said. "He knows your systems, your passwords, your security protocols. He has the access and the knowledge."

"But not the motive," Isabella countered.

Seraphina’s expression softened with what appeared to be genuine concern.

"I hesitate to mention this, but I’ve noticed changes in Liam recently. Small things—comments about feeling undervalued, questions about the direction of your leadership."

Isabella’s tone remained carefully neutral. "To whom has he expressed these concerns?"

"In passing conversations," Seraphina replied vaguely. "Nothing explicit, just... impressions I’ve gathered. I could be misreading the situation entirely."

"No," Isabella said slowly. "Your instincts are usually sound. I’ll keep it in mind."

Their breakfast arrived, momentarily pausing the conversation. As they ate, Isabella deliberately shifted the topic to the marketing strategy for the partnership announcement, noting Seraphina’s recommendations while inwardly processing the implications of her friend’s subtle attempt to cast suspicion on Liam.

Meanwhile, in the main financial conference room, the morning review had descended into controlled chaos.

"Five million dollars doesn’t simply disappear!"

Jeremy’s voice carried through the glass walls, his face flushed with either anger or anxiety—perhaps both.

"Who authorized these transfers?"

Liam observed from his position near the door, noting Jeremy’s body language—the nervous tap of his pen against the table, the way his eyes darted to specific financial analysts when asking certain questions.

Johnston, the senior financial analyst who reported directly to Isabella, spoke up.

"The transfers appear to have been authorized using Ms. Ashworth’s credentials," he explained. "But the digital signatures don’t match her typical pattern."

Jeremy’s gaze sharpened. "Meaning?"

"Meaning someone else used her credentials," Johnston replied calmly. "Someone who had access to her authorization codes but wasn’t familiar with how she typically processes approvals."

Jeremy’s expression shifted—relief flickered across his face, quickly masked by professional concern.

"This is deeply troubling," he said. "We need to conduct a full audit immediately."

"Ms. Ashworth has already been informed," Johnston responded. "She’s requested that we prepare a comprehensive report of all financial movements over the past month."

"That won’t be sufficient," Jeremy insisted. "We need an external audit. This level of security breach requires independent investigation."

Liam noted the emphasis on external—a curious insistence that aligned too neatly with Jeremy’s earlier push for outside involvement in the Davies integration timeline.

"I’m sure Ms. Ashworth will consider all appropriate measures," Johnston replied diplomatically.

Jeremy nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Until then, I suggest we freeze all non-essential transfers and implement additional authorization protocols for any movement of funds."

"I’ll convey your recommendation to Ms. Ashworth," Johnston said.

As the meeting concluded, Liam remained in his position, watching as Jeremy pulled aside two of his recently hired financial analysts for a hushed conversation. Their expressions were serious, their gestures contained but urgent.

Liam waited until Jeremy departed before approaching Johnston.

"Interesting meeting."

Johnston nodded slightly. "He seemed almost prepared for the news, didn’t he?"

"Almost," Liam agreed. "Though his suggestion for an external audit was particularly emphatic."

"Indeed," Johnston murmured. "One might wonder which specific external auditor he has in mind."

Liam’s phone vibrated with a message from Isabella.

Meeting concluded. Montgomery conference room now.

"Keep monitoring the situation," Liam told Johnston quietly. "And send me the names of those two analysts Jeremy just spoke with."

---

Montgomery Conference Room

As Liam made his way to the Montgomery conference room, he passed Marcus in the corridor. The two exchanged a meaningful glance but no words.

The bodyguard’s expression confirmed what Liam already suspected—the trap was beginning to close, but it remained unclear who would be caught within it.

Inside, Isabella stood gazing out at the city, her posture relaxed, but her reflection in the glass revealed sharp, calculating eyes.

"Well?" she asked without turning.

"Jeremy reacted exactly as anticipated," Liam reported. "Initial shock, followed by a swift pivot to recommending external auditors. He seemed relieved when told the transfers were made using your credentials rather than his."

"Of course he did," Isabella said, turning to face him. "And I’ve just spent breakfast having Seraphina subtly suggest that you might be responsible."

Liam’s eyebrows rose slightly. "Me? That’s unexpected."

"Is it?" Isabella challenged. "Or is it the logical next move? Jeremy becomes too obvious a suspect, so attention must be redirected elsewhere."

"To your most trusted assistant," Liam concluded. "Creating doubt about the one person positioned to help you uncover the truth."

Isabella nodded, a grim smile touching her lips. "Precisely. The question now becomes—do we allow this narrative to develop, or do we change the game entirely?"

"What did you tell Seraphina about her concerns regarding me?" Liam asked.

"That I value her insights and will keep them in mind," Isabella replied. "I gave her just enough to believe her seed of doubt had taken root."

Liam nodded appreciatively. "And our next move?"

Isabella’s smile transformed from grim to decisive. "We spring our own trap. Tonight."

---

Outside the Conference Room

Marcus stood guard, unaware of Seraphina’s attempts to cast suspicion on Liam, but he remained keenly observant of Jeremy’s movements throughout the morning.

He had noted. The CFO’s hushed conversation with his analysts. Not just that but the three separate calls made from Jeremy’s private line.

And most interestingly, the brief meeting Jeremy had just concluded with a member of Davies’s legal team in the lobby coffee shop.

The game was accelerating, and Marcus intended to ensure Isabella remained two steps ahead of whoever was orchestrating this elaborate scheme against her.

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