Chapter 211

The Kane Industries conference room felt warm and comfortable for the first time in weeks. Chinese takeout containers sat open on the polished table, mixed with financial documents and laptop computers. The overhead lights had been dimmed, replaced by the softer glow of desk lamps that made the evening feel less like work and more like friends sharing a meal.

Camille sat at the head of the table, picking at her lo mein while reviewing the latest evidence Hannah and Stefan had uncovered. After days of intense investigation, they had finally allowed themselves to relax slightly, to eat real food instead of surviving on coffee and energy drinks.

“This connection to the Cayman Islands account is brilliant,” Camille said, gesturing with her chopsticks toward Hannah’s laptop screen. “How did you think to look there?”

Hannah smiled, her face flushed with quiet pride. “Stefan suggested it. He said shell companies always use certain banking patterns in international shipping, and those same patterns might apply to financial fraud.”

Stefan felt warmth spread through his chest at Hannah’s praise. Over the past three days, their professional partnership had evolved into something deeper. They worked together with an ease that surprised both of them, their different expertise combining to create insights neither could have reached alone.

“The timing of the transfers proves everything,” Stefan said, leaning forward to point at a specific document. “Someone stole Meridian’s safety funds exactly two weeks before they contacted Victoria about the cost-cutting measures.”