Chapter 9: The Account in My Son's Name
For a moment, the room seemed to lose all sound.
Michael stared at the document.
“That's impossible.””
Peter Lawson took the paper from Margaret and examined it carefully.
“It's an account registration, not proof of wrongdoing,” he said.
“We need the underlying records.””
Michael shook his head.
“I don't own that company.””
Margaret pointed to the name printed beneath the registration number.
“Harrison Coastal Ventures LLC.””
Michael read it again.
“I've never heard of it.””
“Have you ever authorized the formation of a company under a similar name?”” Peter asked.
“No.””
“Have you signed any documents establishing a business entity in the last year?””
Michael hesitated.
“I signed a stack of corporate documents last spring. I don't remember every name.””
“Who prepared them?””
“Andrew handled some of the administrative paperwork.””
I looked at him.
“Why was Andrew preparing corporate documents for you?””
“He said it was part of the property planning. I thought it was a preliminary structure for the investment.””
“Did you review what you signed?””
Michael's face tightened.
“Not every page.””
Peter placed the document on the table.
“Then we need the formation records, the operating agreement, the bank account opening documents, and the transaction history. Until we have those, we cannot determine whether this company was properly formed or how it was used.””
Margaret nodded.
“I'll request them through counsel.””
Michael sat down heavily.
“Mom, I swear to you, I didn't know about this company.””
I looked at him.
“I hear you.””
“Do you believe me?””
“I believe you may not know what was done in your name. But we need evidence to establish that.””
He pressed his palms against his eyes.
“Everything I touch turns into a disaster.””
I felt a familiar urge to comfort him, to tell him that he had done nothing wrong and that everything would be all right.
I resisted.
He needed support, but he also needed to understand that uncertainty could not be resolved by insisting on the answer he preferred.
Peter gathered the documents.
“Michael, I recommend that you provide your attorney with every email, message, and file you received from Andrew. Do not delete anything, and do not attempt to access any accounts that may be part of the review without legal guidance.””
Michael nodded.
Margaret added, “The same applies to everyone involved. The objective is to establish the facts, not to speculate.””
I watched my son absorb the instructions.
He looked older than he had a week earlier.
Perhaps because the version of himself he had relied on—the competent executive who could delegate details and assume everything would work out—was finally beginning to collapse.
Over the next two days, the review widened.
Margaret's legal team requested the formation documents for Harrison Coastal Ventures. Daniel's staff reconstructed the disputed payment trail, while the bank preserved the relevant account records.
I received updates but did not interfere with the investigators' work.
Every evening, I read the reports in Richard's study.
Some information confirmed what we already knew. Other details made the situation more complicated.
Harrison Coastal Ventures had been incorporated four months earlier. Its registered address was a commercial office suite used by Andrew's consulting company.
The company had opened a bank account shortly afterward.
The account had received a series of transfers connected to the Hilton Head property, including money that originated from Whitmore Lifestyle Consulting.
But the account records also showed that funds had been moved out almost immediately after arriving.
Some payments went to legitimate vendors.
Others went to companies that had no obvious connection to the property.
One transfer had paid a deposit on a luxury vehicle.
Another had gone to a private concierge service.
A third had been transferred to an account registered overseas.
None of those transactions proved that Michael had knowingly participated in wrongdoing. But together, they suggested that the money had not been used solely for the purpose described in the original invoices.
On the third morning, Daniel called.
“We've obtained the preliminary account history,” he said.
“The company received approximately three hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars across several transfers. A substantial portion was moved out within forty-eight hours.””
“Who initiated the outgoing transfers?””
May you like
“We're identifying the authorized users. Some transactions appear to have been submitted through credentials associated with Andrew's office.””
“And the account opening documents?””
