Chapter 9 - The Audit Connected The Humiliation To The Money
The independent audit took six weeks.
It did not conclude that every Hayes invoice was fraudulent.
Reality was more specific.
Of approximately $640,000 flagged, around $410,000 was determined to have been improperly charged or insufficiently supported under the joint venture agreements.
Some money paid legitimate vendors but for unrelated Hayes projects.
Some covered general Hayes Hospitality operating expenses that should never have been shifted into the Napa venture.
Several related-party payments to Victoria-controlled entities had not been disclosed properly.
Mason had personally approved multiple submissions.
That point ended his ability to claim ignorance.
There were emails too.
One from Victoria:
We need Robert’s second capital release before quarter end.
Mason replied:
Claire is asking questions.
Victoria:
Then stop discussing finance with her until after the wedding.
Mason:
She won’t let it go.
Victoria:
She will once she is Mrs. Hayes.
Claire read that line three times.
She will once she is Mrs. Hayes.
The humiliation in the greenhouse suddenly looked even clearer.
Victoria was not merely cruel.
She genuinely believed marriage would transfer Claire into a different power structure.
Daughter of Robert Miller before the ceremony.
Hayes wife after it.
A woman whose resistance could be managed through family pressure.
Then another message.
Mason to Victoria:
Just keep her calm four more days.
Four more days.
That was all he thought he needed.
Four days until vows.
Four days until public commitment.
Four days until canceling would feel harder.
Claire closed the file.
For the first time since the greenhouse, she did not cry.
She simply said:
May you like
“There’s nothing left to discuss about the wedding.”
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