25 The Architect of the Secret Audit 25 The Architect of the Secret Audit Hazel's POV I adjusted the collar of my blouse as I entered the conference room . Liam had called an urgent meeting with only his most trusted employees - me , Damian , Evelyn , and Owen . The secrecy surrounding this gathering had my nerves on edge . Liam stood by the window , his broad shoulders tense beneath his tailored suit . The afternoon sun cast shadows across his face , highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw . He looked exhausted . " Thank you all for coming , " he said , turning to face us . " This meeting doesn't leave this room ." Damian closed the door and dimmed the lights . Liam activated the privacy protocol- soundproof barriers , signal jammers , and surveillance blockers . " For the past six months , Damian and I have been tracking financial discrepancies ," Liam began , his voice grave . " We're under attack ." Silence fell across the room . Evelyn's normally composed face showed concern . " What kind of attack ? " I asked , already reaching for my tablet to take notes . Liam nodded to Damian , who pulled up spreadsheets on the conference room screen . " Systematic plundering , " Damian explained , pointing to highlighted sections . " Diverted funds . Missing resources . Client poaching . It's sophisticated and coordinated ." Owen leaned forward . " How bad is it ? " " Bad enough that if it continues , we could be facing bankruptcy within a year , " Liam admitted , running a hand through his dark hair . My stomach dropped . " A year ? That's aggressive . " " And deliberate , " Liam added , his violet - blue eyes meeting mine . " Someone wants Sterling Group destroyed , and they're playing the long game . " I studied the financial patterns on screen . Something felt eerily familiar . 20:45 O 15 25 The Architect of the Secret Audit " We need to hire a forensic accounting firm ," Owen suggested . " No ," I said firmly , surprising myself with my certainty . All eyes turned to me . " Care to elaborate , Ms. Vance ? " Liam asked , his expression unreadable . I straightened in my chair . " This pattern matches what happened at Apex Steel three years ago . Before Adrian Cole took over " " Apex nearly went bankrupt ," Evelyn recalled . " They did go bankrupt ," I corrected . " I know because I helped them through it . Albert . Allen hired me as a consultant after their so - called ' independent audit ' failed to find anything wrong ." Liam's eyebrows shot up . " You worked with Albert Allen ? " " For six months ," I nodded . " The audit firm they hired was compromised . By the time . we discovered the real issues , it was too late . External firms alert the culprits. " Damian exchanged a look with Liam . " So what do you suggest ? " I stood and walked to the screen , feeling a confidence I hadn't known I possessed . " We conduct our own audit , but we keep it completely off the books ." The idea formed rapidly in my mind - memories of late nights poring over Apex's books , tracing financial threads to their sources . " We need a secret office , I continued , warming to my plan . " Maybe on one of the floors under renovation ? We set up a command center there . We recruit financial analysts we trust completely to work after hours . We install surveillance in key departments . We plant spies ." Owen whistled . " That's … extreme . " " It's necessary ," I insisted . " Whoever's doing this is inside our company . They have access , knowledge , and time . We need to be smarter . " Liam was watching me intently , something like admiration flickering in his eyes . " Continue , " he prompted . " We need a specialized team working at night when most employees are gone . Albert Allen became an expert in corporate fraud after what happened at Apex . He could lead 20:45 时 25 The Architect of the Secret Audit our operation . " " Albert retired , " Llam said quietly . " He'd come back for this , " I replied confidently . " He still feels the sting of what happened ." The room fell silent as everyone considered my proposal . Liam paced slowly , his brow furrowed in thought . " How do you know Albert Allen ? " he finally asked . " He was my mentor during the Apex crisis ," I explained . " I was recommended to him by a professor ." What I didn't add was how many nights I'd spent sleeping on Albert's office couch , determined to find the money trail while pregnant with Leo . A strange look crossed Liam's face . " Albert Allen was my father's friend . They went to college together ." The coincidence hung in the air between us . Another thread connecting our lives before we'd even met . " Hazel's plan makes sense , " Damian broke the silence . " We need to move quickly but quietly . " Liam nodded decisively . " Evelyn , I want you to contact Albert . Your relationship with him predates any current employees . Less suspicious . " Evelyn nodded . " I'll call him personally . " " Owen , secure us a floor . Make it look like ongoing renovations . Install the security we need . " On it , " Owen confirmed . " Damian , you'll identify trustworthy analysts , " Liam continued . " People without connections to any suspicious departments . " " And me ? " I asked . Liam's eyes met mine . " You'll work directly with me on this . We need to track every path the money's taking without alerting anyone . You know what to look for . " 20:45 25 The Architect of the Secret Audit I nodded , ignoring the flutter in my stomach at the thought of working closely with Liam on something so vital . " We'll meet daily , Liam continued . "Always changing locations , always under the radar . If someone's systematically stealing from Sterling Group , they'll slip up eventually ." " And when they do , we'll be waiting ," Damian added grimly . Liam placed his hands flat on the conference table , looking at each of us in turn . " What discussed stays between us . Trust no one outside this room . " We We all nodded solemnly . " Let's get to work . Owens , start immediately on securing that floor . Evelyn , call Albert today . Damian , I need your list of trustworthy analysts by tomorrow morning ." Everyone gathered their things , the weight of the situation evident in their expressions . " Hazel , " Liam said as the others moved toward the door , " stay a moment . " Damian shot me a curious glance as he closed the door behind him , leaving me alone with Liam . The room suddenly felt smaller . Liam sank into a chair , rubbing his eyes . For the first time since I'd known him , he looked truly vulnerable - a man carrying an immense burden .. " I didn't know about your experience with Albert ," he said quietly . " It wasn't relevant until now ," I replied / remaining standing . " You continue to surprise me , Ms. Vance ." He looked up at me , exhaustion evident in his eyes . " That was impressive thinking . Most people would have panicked ." " I've seen this before , " I said simply . " I know what's at stake . " Liam nodded slowly . " My father built this company from nothing . After losing him and my mother , Sterling Group is all I have left of them ." The raw emotion in his voice caught me off guard . This wasn't the demanding , controlled CEO I was accustomed to . This was just Liam - a son determined to protect his parents ' legacy . " We'll figure it out , " I promised , surprising myself with how much I meant it . 20:45 25 The Architect of the Secret Audit " Whoever's doing this won't succeed . " Liam studied my face for a long moment , as if seeing something new there . " Stay ," he said , his voice heavy with fatigue . " I need to talk to you about something else ." Comment