The audit did not stop; it expanded. By the time Seraphina reached the strategy room the next morning, Vale Holdings had already escalated the internal review. Departments that had not been touched in years were now flagged for verification, access logs were being rechecked, and old transactions were being reopened.
Lucien entered a moment later. "They are digging deeper," he said.
Seraphina nodded. "Yes."
Lucien studied her expression. "He is not guessing anymore," he added.
Seraphina met his gaze. "No," she said. "He is narrowing; Adrian never stops."
Lucien crossed his arms. "And he believes the interference came from inside Vale."
Seraphina nodded. "Yes."
Lucien's eyes hardened. "That gives him a direction."
Seraphina turned back to the screen. "And it gives us a problem," she said.
Lucien stepped closer. "What kind of problem?"
Seraphina tapped her tablet and brought up a series of archived files. "These are legacy contracts tied to Vale Holdings," she said.
