"I made mistakes."
Martin's smile faded.
"But none of those mistakes involved stealing money from children."
The room went silent.
Arthur looked at the board.
"I founded this foundation because my father died without ever receiving the medical treatment he needed."
Eleanor watched him.
Arthur continued.
"He was a mechanic. He worked his entire life."
His voice softened.
"He used to tell me that poor people didn't need pity. They needed opportunity."
Arthur looked around.
"That's why this foundation exists."
He placed his hands on the table.
"Not for buildings."
"Not for political influence."
"Not for developers."
"For people."
The board members were silent.
Then the chairman said:
"Call the vote."
Martin looked around.
One by one, the votes were cast.
Against Martin.
Against the fraudulent project.
For an independent investigation.
And finally—
Against Arthur's removal.
The vote was overwhelming.
Martin stared at the results.
He had lost.
But before security could approach him, his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
"What?"
He listened.
Then whispered:
"No."
Arthur watched him.
"What happened?"
Martin slowly lowered the phone.
"North Bellmont."
Arthur stood.
"What about it?"
Martin looked directly at him.
"The residents have been evacuated."
Arthur froze.
"Why?"
"There's a gas leak."
Arthur immediately knew.
It wasn't a gas leak.
It was a trap.
And someone had just started a fire.
The fire department arrived in North Bellmont within minutes.
Smoke filled the streets.
Families were standing outside their homes.
Children were crying.
Older residents were confused and frightened.
Arthur stepped from the vehicle.
He looked at the burning building.
"This isn't an accident."
Victor nodded.
"I know."
Eleanor approached.
"How many people?"
"Most are out."
"Most?"
Victor hesitated.
"Three families are missing."
Arthur's expression changed.
"Find them."
Victor ran toward the buildings.
Arthur followed.
Eleanor grabbed his hand.
"Arthur."
"I have to."
"You can't go in."
He looked at the flames.
"Those people trusted us."
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"Then come back."
Arthur nodded.
He entered.
Smoke burned his eyes.
He heard someone shouting.
"Help!"
Arthur followed the voice.
A woman was trapped beneath a wooden beam.
He pushed it.
It didn't move.
Another man arrived.
Together they lifted it.
The woman crawled free.
Arthur carried her outside.
Then he heard another voice.
A child.
He turned.
"Eleanor!"
She was standing outside.
"What?"
"There's a child inside."
Firefighters tried to stop him.
Arthur went back.
The building groaned.
He moved through smoke.
"Hello!"
No answer.
Then he heard crying.
A little boy was hiding beneath a table.
Arthur crawled toward him.
"It's okay."
The boy looked terrified.
"Where's my mother?"
"We'll find her."
Arthur carried him.
As they reached the doorway, part of the ceiling collapsed behind them.
Firefighters pulled them out.
Eleanor ran forward.
Arthur handed her the child.
The boy's mother came running.
She hugged him.
"Thank you."
Arthur nodded.
Then he looked back at the building.
His expression was grim.
This was no longer a financial scandal.
Someone was willing to hurt innocent people to hide it.
Later that evening, investigators found accelerant at the scene.
It was arson.
And the evidence led directly to a security company connected to Marcus Vale.
But Marcus was gone.
So was Martin.
Arthur sat in the foundation's conference room late that night.
Rachel entered.
"We found something."
Arthur looked up.
"What?"
She placed a folder on the table.
"The transfers were larger than we thought."
"How much?"
"One hundred twenty-eight million."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"Where did it go?"
Rachel pointed to a final account.
Arthur stared.
The account belonged to a private trust.
Owned by Thomas Rainer.
Arthur stood.
"Call the police."
Rachel nodded.
"There is one more thing."
"What?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Your signature."
Arthur looked at her.
"My signature?"
"Several transfers were authorized with your digital signature."
Arthur's face went pale.
"I never authorized them."
"I know."
"Then someone forged my signature."
Rachel nodded.
"But the system shows your credentials."
Arthur sat down.
"Who had access?"
Rachel opened another file.
"Only four people."
Arthur read the names.
Martin Caldwell.
Rachel herself.
Daniel Price.
And—
Eleanor Bennett.
Arthur slowly looked toward the door.
Eleanor was standing there.
She had heard everything.
Arthur looked at her.
"Eleanor?"
She stepped inside.
Rachel looked uncomfortable.
Eleanor walked to the table.
"I knew this day would come."
Arthur stared.
"What does that mean?"
She took a breath.
"Three years ago, when I became ill, Martin asked me to sign temporary authorization documents."
Arthur's face changed.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he said it was routine."
"Did you sign?"
"Yes."
Rachel looked at the files.
"That may have given him access."
Eleanor looked at Arthur.
"I thought I was protecting you."
Arthur stood.
"You should have told me."
"I was afraid."
Arthur softened.
"Of what?"
"Of becoming the reason your life's work collapsed."
He took her hands.
"You could never be that."
Suddenly, Victor rushed in.
"We found Martin."
Arthur turned.
"Where?"
Victor looked serious.
"At the airport."
"Is he under arrest?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he disappeared before the police arrived."
Arthur frowned.
Victor continued.
"But he left something behind."
He handed Arthur a phone.