68-Year-Old Widow Eleanor Pendelton Handed An Empty Box Labelled 'Freeloader' By Her Arrogant Stepson At A $500,000 Town Gala, Only To Hand Him Back The Bankruptcy Decree Destroying His Timber Empire
Derrick opened his mouth, no doubt to launch another furious denial, but a new voice, tentative yet clear, broke the tension.
“Actually, Eleanor is right.”
All heads turned. Arthur Finch, the town’s accountant, stood awkwardly beside the entrance to the kitchen, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. His usual crisp suit jacket seemed suddenly too big for his slight frame.
His gaze met mine, a flicker of guilt and resolve in his eyes. He took a deep, visible breath.
“Mr. Finch,” Mayor Carver said, surprise lacing his tone. “Is there something you wish to add?”
Arthur nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes, Mayor. There is.”
He walked slowly towards the head table, pulling a slim, leather-bound ledger and a stack of printed bank statements from a briefcase he held. He placed them gently on the table, careful not to obscure the bankruptcy order.
“As the company’s accountant,” Arthur began, his voice gaining strength with each word, “I’ve had access to all records. Including, regrettably, the *real* records.”
He pushed the bank statements toward Mayor Carver. “These are certified bank statements.”
“They show that $1.8 million was diverted from Oakhaven’s town infrastructure funds. Funds specifically earmarked for the new community center and the lake dredging project.”
A collective groan, a mix of outrage and disbelief, swept through the hall. These were public funds, meant to benefit everyone.
“And where did these funds go, Mr. Finch?” Mayor Carver asked, his voice low and dangerous, his gaze fixed on Derrick.
Arthur’s finger tapped a line on one of the statements. “Into private accounts. Accounts held by Mr. Derrick Pendelton. Many of them offshore, funneling through shell companies I was explicitly told to obscure.”
Derrick let out a guttural roar, slamming his fist on the table.
“You betraying snake!” he shrieked at Arthur. “You’re fired! You’ll never work in this town again!”
Arthur flinched, but he held his ground, his eyes fixed on the mayor. His professional ethics had just been shattered, but his conscience, it seemed, was finally clear.
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