Chapter 6 - The Audit Begins
The atmosphere inside Pine Hill Academy transformed within two hours from a prestigious quiet retreat into a war zone of corporate accountants and private investigators.
By 2:00 PM, four senior partners from Arthur Vance’s private legal firm had arrived at the school, accompanied by two forensic accountants. They took over the Headmaster’s office, locking Sterling and his administrative staff inside while they impounded computers, hard drives, and filing cabinets.
In the meantime, Arthur had moved Sarah Parker and her twin daughters into the school’s private library lounge—a warm, carpeted room with a roaring fireplace, plush leather sofas, and trays of hot tea, cocoa, and warm pastries.
Emma and Lily were wrapped in soft cashmere blankets, sitting on the rug near the fire, happily eating blueberry scones alongside Julian. Julian had taken off his own shoes and socks, sitting barefoot right next to them so they wouldn't feel left out.
Sarah sat on the couch, holding a warm cup of tea with trembling hands. She looked across at Arthur Vance, who was standing by the window, talking quietly on his phone.
When Arthur finished his call, he walked over and sat in the armchair opposite Sarah.
“Mrs. Parker,” Arthur said gently, his intense demeanor melting into something soft and genuine. “I owe you and your daughters an apology. I am the Chairman of the Board of this institution, and I allowed men like Sterling to operate without sufficient oversight.”
“Mr. Vance, you don't owe me anything,” Sarah said, tears welling in her eyes again. “You saved us today. I... I was so ashamed. I worked all night mopping up water in our basement apartment. I didn't have time to dry their shoes, and I didn't have enough money to buy new ones before the stores opened. I just wanted them to go to school...”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Arthur said firmly. “You are a devoted mother working tirelessly for your children. The shame belongs entirely to those who lost their humanity behind a desk.”
Just then, the door to the lounge opened, and Arthur’s chief legal investigator, Richard, stepped inside holding a thick leather binder.
“Mr. Vance,” Richard said, his face grave. “We’ve completed the preliminary audit of the Opportunity Fund.”
Arthur stood up. “And?”
Richard took a deep breath, glancing nervously at Sarah before looking back at Arthur. “It’s bad, sir. Over the past three years, Headmaster Sterling has embezzled over $1.2 million from the student emergency assistance funds.”
Sarah gasped, dropping her tea carpet spoon.
“Where did the money go?” Arthur asked, his voice icy.
“Offshore accounts, luxury vehicles, and personal renovations,” Richard revealed. “Furthermore, we found records showing that Mrs. Thompson was receiving under-the-table kickbacks from Sterling to strictly enforce minor rule violations against low-income scholarship students. They deliberately tried to push underprivileged families out of the school so they wouldn't have to distribute the financial aid funds.”
Arthur’s hand tightened into a fist until his knuckles turned white. “They stole money meant for children’s shoes and food... so they could buy luxury cars?”
“Precisely, sir.”
Arthur turned to look at Emma and Lily, who were laughing quietly with Julian over a picture book near the fire.
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“Richard,” Arthur said, his voice dropping into a register of total, unyielding resolve. “Destroy them. I want criminal charges filed by sunset. I want Sterling in handcuffs, and I want Mrs. Thompson stripped of her teaching license permanently.”
“Understood, Mr. Vance.”
