Ethan spent the next morning diving into the documents Chase had provided. The financial records painted a grim picture: mounting debts, dwindling income, and questionable expenses that didn't align with the company's official statements. It was a tangled mess, but Ethan's instincts told him there was more beneath the surface.
Lila wandered into the kitchen, stretching lazily. She poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, watching him sift through the paperwork.
"Any buried treasure in there?" she asked, taking a sip.
"More like buried landmines," Ethan replied, setting a particularly concerning report aside. "Some of these expenses don't make sense. Either Chase is hiding something, or someone else is skimming off the top."
"Do you think he's lying to you?" Lila asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.
Ethan frowned, considering her question. "Not exactly. He's desperate, and desperate people sometimes overlook things—or let others get away with them."
Lila tilted her head, studying him. "So what's your plan? Confront him?"
"Not yet," Ethan said. "I need more information first."
Later that afternoon, Ethan returned to Chase's office unannounced, carrying the stack of questionable reports. The receptionist gave him a startled look but didn't stop him as he strode past and knocked on Chase's door.
Chase opened it, his smile fading when he saw Ethan's expression. "Ethan? What's up?"
Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He placed the stack of papers on Chase's desk.
"These," Ethan said, his voice steady but firm. "Explain them."
Chase glanced at the papers, his face paling slightly. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about unexplained expenses, payments to accounts that don't match your vendor list, and discrepancies in your payroll," Ethan said, crossing his arms. "Did you authorize these?"
Chase hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "I… I don't know. I mean, I don't handle all the finances myself. I have a guy for that."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "A guy? Who?"
"Doug," Chase said quickly. "He's been managing our accounts for years. He's good at what he does, and I trust him."
"Maybe you shouldn't," Ethan said bluntly. "Either Doug is making mistakes, or he's stealing from you. Either way, it's your responsibility to know what's happening in your own company."
Chase looked genuinely distressed, slumping into his chair. "I didn't think... I mean, Doug's always been loyal."
"Loyalty doesn't pay the bills," Ethan said. "I need access to your communications with Doug. Emails, invoices, anything that might explain these numbers."
Chase nodded reluctantly. "Alright. I'll get you what you need."
That evening, Ethan pored over Chase's emails with Lila sitting nearby, absently flipping through a magazine. Occasionally, she glanced at his laptop, offering observations.
"Who's this 'Doug' guy?" she asked.
"Chase's accountant," Ethan replied. "Or maybe his accomplice. I'm not sure yet."
Lila smirked. "Accomplice has a nice ring to it. Makes this feel like a detective story."
Ethan shook his head, suppressing a grin. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
After hours of combing through emails, Ethan found something that made his stomach drop. A series of messages between Doug and an unknown third party discussed funneling money through the company's accounts to "cover debts." The language was vague but damning.
"Gotcha," Ethan muttered.
"What is it?" Lila asked, leaning closer.
"Doug's been skimming," Ethan said, his voice grim. "He's using Chase's company as a shell to hide his own financial problems. Chase probably had no idea, but it explains why the company's bleeding money."
Lila frowned. "So, what now? Do you tell Chase?"
Ethan nodded. "He needs to know. But this isn't just about Doug. Chase's lack of oversight is what let this happen in the first place. If he's serious about turning things around, he's going to have to make some hard choices."
The next morning, Ethan confronted Chase with the evidence.
"Doug's stealing from you," Ethan said bluntly, laying the printed emails on the desk. "And he's been doing it for a while."
Chase stared at the papers, his face a mix of shock and anger. "I… I can't believe this. Doug's been with me since the beginning. Why would he do this?"
"Because you weren't paying attention," Ethan said, his tone sharp but not unkind. "You trusted him blindly, and he took advantage of that."
Chase's hands clenched into fists. "What do we do now?"
"You fire him," Ethan said without hesitation. "Immediately. And you call a lawyer to handle the fallout. This isn't just theft; it's fraud. If you let this slide, it's going to bury your company."
Chase nodded, his jaw tight. "Okay. I'll take care of it."
As Ethan left the office, he felt a mix of satisfaction and apprehension. Exposing Doug was a step in the right direction, but it also highlighted just how deep the company's problems ran.
Back at the apartment, Lila greeted him with her usual smirk. "Well? Did you save the day?"
"Not yet," Ethan admitted, sinking onto the couch. "But I'm getting closer. Chase fired Doug. Now we'll see if he has the guts to follow through on the rest."
Lila leaned against the armrest, her expression thoughtful. "You're handling this well, you know. The old you would've run for the hills by now."
Ethan smiled faintly. "Maybe the old me didn't have you around to keep him grounded."
Lila's smirk softened into a rare, genuine smile. "Don't get used to it."
Ethan chuckled, but as he stared out the window, his mind remained on the challenges ahead. Chase's company was a mess, but for the first time in years, Ethan felt like he had the tools—and the determination—to fix something worth saving.