Mason’s Company Was Already Empty
Chapter 04 - Mason’s Company Was Already Empty
Mason founded Bennett Home Systems five years earlier.
Publicly, the company manufactured energy-efficient heating controls.
Richard chaired the board.
Mason handled product design and believed his father managed financing.
The supposed crisis was a lender demanding two million dollars before midnight.
Forensic accountant Grace Lin reviewed the company’s bank records while investigators remained at the house.
There was no legitimate lender deadline.
The demand letter came from a shell company called North Harbor Credit.
North Harbor belonged to Richard.
The company had transferred money from Bennett Home Systems into speculative property deals and personal accounts. When auditors began asking questions, Richard created a false loan to explain the missing cash.
He needed Claire’s medical funds to fill the hole before the bank opened its books.
Mason’s company was not being rescued.
It was being used to hide the person who had emptied it.
Mason read the records at the dining table.
“You told me sales were down.”
“They were.”
“You told me the loan paid for expansion.”
“It did.”
“Then why did the money go to your private property company?”
Richard looked toward Claire.
“Because everything I built was supposed to support both of you.”
May you like
Claire answered quietly.
“My surgery is not a family investment account.”
