Chapter 8 - The Man Financing Thomas
Priya Shah did not exist in Nathan's world.
Instead, Rebecca brought in forensic accountant Marcus Lee.
He traced Thomas's finances.
Margaret had told part of the truth.
Thomas had received approximately $4.2 million through entities ultimately funded by the Whitmore family office.
But he had also received $9 million from another source.
Meridian Crown Partners.
The prospective buyer of the Whitmore Grand.
Nathan stared at the report.
"So Thomas is tied to the buyer too."
Marcus nodded.
"Consulting agreement. Four years."
"For what services?"
"Government relations and acquisition strategy."
"Thomas hasn't worked in hospitality in a decade."
"Correct."
Rebecca folded her arms.
"Thomas was being paid for access."
Nathan felt betrayed in a different way.
Thomas had presented himself as the man warning them.
Maybe he was.
Maybe warnings were just another form of leverage.
Claire sat across the table.
She looked exhausted.
Ava slept beside her.
"Everybody in this family gets paid by the same people."
Nathan looked at her.
"Not everyone."
She gave him a tired expression.
"You work for the company."
That hurt because it was true.
Nathan had spent his adult life drawing salary, prestige and identity from Whitmore Hospitality.
He told himself he was different because he earned it.
Maybe difference required proof.
Thomas agreed to meet again.
This time Nathan brought Marcus.
The nine-million-dollar payment schedule was placed on the table.
Thomas stared at it.
"You broke into my accounts?"
"Public records and subpoenas."
Thomas looked at Rebecca.
"This is harassment."
Nathan almost laughed.
"My wife was chained in a cellar. We're past etiquette."
Thomas pushed the papers back.
"Meridian Crown retained me."
"To do what?"
"Advise."
"On Project Harbor?"
"Eventually."
"Did you support selling the Whitmore Grand?"
Thomas hesitated.
"Yes."
"Then why did you tell me Margaret was trying to steal Ava's vote?"
"Because she was."
"To block you?"
"To control the outcome."
"Same difference."
"No."
Thomas leaned forward.
"I wanted the sale because Whitmore Hospitality needs capital."
Nathan frowned.
"The company is profitable."
"Barely."
Marcus opened another file.
"He has a point."
Nathan turned.
"What?"
Marcus had reviewed debt schedules.
Whitmore Hospitality carried $620 million in property-level debt.
Most was manageable.
But three loans matured within eighteen months.
The Grand required at least $90 million in renovation.
"Project Harbor isn't completely irrational," Marcus said.
Nathan hated that.
"The buyer is corrupt."
"The transaction structure may be. The strategic problem isn't."
Thomas nodded.
"Edward refused to see reality."
"Then why secret payments?"
Thomas's face hardened.
"Because Meridian Crown wanted someone in the family who could actually explain the numbers without Margaret controlling every conversation."
"You accepted nine million."
"Over four years."
"That doesn't help."
"I paid taxes."
Claire laughed once.
Thomas looked at her.
She had insisted on attending.
"Please," she said. "Tell us which part of being paid millions to influence a family transaction is noble."
Thomas's mouth tightened.
"None of it."
The admission surprised them.
He continued.
"I told myself I deserved it after Edward pushed me out."
Nathan stared.
Same wound as Margaret.
Different shape.
"Did you know Margaret planned the forged transfer?"
"No."
"Did you know Claire would be pressured?"
"No."
"Did you know someone was coming to the cellar?"
Thomas hesitated.
"Yes."
Claire's body stiffened.
Nathan stood.
"Who?"
Thomas raised both hands.
"Not to hurt anyone."
"Who?"
"Leonard Graves."
The board chairman.
Nathan's blood went cold.
"Why?"
"He was supposed to witness Claire sign."
Claire stared.
"Witness?"
Thomas nodded.
"The transfer required a witness."
"And if I refused?"
"I didn't know Margaret would restrain you."
Claire's voice shook.
"But you knew she planned to corner me in a cellar."
Thomas looked ashamed.
"Yes."
Nathan moved around the table.
Rebecca said sharply, "Nathan."
He stopped.
Thomas did not move.
Nathan's voice dropped.
"You walked downstairs knowing they were trying to take control of my daughter's trust."
"I thought Claire would sign."
"Why would she?"
"Because Margaret planned to tell her the Grand would collapse without it."
Claire stared.
"So the plan was financial blackmail."
Thomas nodded.
"Yes."
Nathan felt something break.
Thomas had not come to save them.
He had come to complete the paperwork.
The break-in interrupted the plan.
"Who broke the window?"
Thomas shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Leonard?"
"No. He texted that he left when he saw police lights."
Nathan looked at Rebecca.
Another participant.
Another witness.
Claire whispered, "Then someone else was already in the house."
Thomas nodded.
"And they were looking for Edward's evidence."
Nathan asked, "Who knew about the crate?"
Thomas thought.
"Daniel."
"Margaret."
"Me."
"Leonard?"
"No."
"Anyone at Meridian Crown?"
Thomas's face changed.
Nathan saw it.
"Who?"
Thomas whispered, "Adrian Cole."
Nathan knew the name.
Managing partner of Meridian Crown.
The man who stood to gain control of the Whitmore Grand.
Thomas continued.
"Edward confronted Adrian before he died."
"About what?"
Thomas looked at Claire.
"About Evelyn's trust money."
Nathan froze.
"What does Adrian have to do with that?"
May you like
Thomas answered:
"Because Meridian Crown was built with it."
