Chapter 20 - THE ACCOUNT UNDER THE OLD NAME
The forensic team found the account three days later.
It was dormant.
But it had not always been empty.
Nearly $11 million had passed through it over a four-year period.
Valeria sat motionless as the records appeared on the screen.
“Where did the money come from?”
“Several private investors.”
“And where did it go?”
The accountant hesitated.
“Small businesses.”
Valeria looked closer.
A bakery.
A childcare company.
A medical equipment supplier.
A tailoring company.
A small software firm.
Dozens of women-owned businesses.
Her mother had been quietly financing women who could not obtain bank loans.
But then Valeria noticed something.
The payments stopped eighteen months after her mother's death.
Exactly when Richard Hale became head of the company's strategic finance committee.
“Find every business that received money after Richard took control.”
They did.
Seven companies.
Six had failed.
One was still operating.
A small medical device company in Ohio.
Its founder was named Grace Bennett.
Valeria called her personally.
Grace answered.
“Ms. Salazar?”
“Yes.”
There was a long silence.
Then Grace whispered:
“Is the Reed Fund coming back?”
Valeria froze.
“You knew my mother?”
“I never met her.”
“Then how do you know her fund?”
“Because she saved my company.”
Valeria's heart began pounding.
“How?”
Grace answered quietly.
May you like
“Your mother told me that one day her daughter would come looking.”
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