Chapter 6 - THE SILENT AUDIT
Lawrence advised Brooke not to attend.
“They may be trying to force you into an emotional confrontation.”
“That’s probably what they want,” Brooke replied.
“Then why give it to them?”
“Because if they present the forged documents, we can prove intent.”
Brooke was not reckless.
She agreed to precautions.
Harrington Capital was already involved in the gala because the Ashfords expected to announce a major refinancing agreement that evening.
Connor believed the Harrington representatives attending were ordinary lenders.
He had never met the trust’s controlling beneficiary.
Harrington supplied a private security team to protect confidential financial materials.
Daniel Ruiz, the team’s chief, was informed that Brooke might need assistance.
He was not told to interfere unless she activated Protocol Seven.
The audit continued.
It uncovered three shell companies.
One was registered to Vanessa’s brother.
Another shared an address with Connor’s private attorney.
The third existed only on paper.
More than six million dollars had passed through that company in eighteen months.
Brooke reviewed every document.
She wanted certainty.
Not revenge.
At her next prenatal appointment, Dr. Leah Morris warned her that stress was affecting her blood pressure.
“You need rest.”
Brooke gave a tired smile.
“I’m trying.”
Leah had been Brooke’s closest friend since college. She knew about Connor’s affair and the divorce.
She did not yet know the full Harrington story.
Brooke had become careful about secrets.
“Are you going to that gala?” Leah asked.
“Yes.”
“Then promise me you’ll leave the moment they start attacking you.”
Brooke glanced at the sonogram screen.
Her daughter’s heartbeat filled the room.
Strong.
Steady.
“I’m not going there to fight,” Brooke said. “I’m going there to stop them from putting my name on something that could follow her for the rest of her life.”
The night before the gala, Lawrence called.
The audit team had found a scheduled deletion command hidden inside the Ashford server system.
At midnight after the gala, several years of foundation records would be erased.
The command had been created by an administrator using Vanessa’s credentials.
That discovery changed everything.
The evidence was now in immediate danger.
Two requirements for Protocol Seven had been satisfied.
Only one remained.
Proof of coercion or direct threat.
Lawrence asked whether Brooke still intended to attend.
She stood beside her apartment window, watching rain streak the glass.
“Yes.”
“Then do not sign anything.”
“I won’t.”
“And if they threaten you?”
Brooke looked at the sleeping bag she had packed for the hospital, just in case.
“I’ll make one call.”
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👉 The deletion clock was already running—and the Ashfords planned to make Brooke sign before midnight.
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