Friday arrived with a palpable tension. The office was unusually quiet, as if everyone sensed the significance of what was to come. I spent the morning reviewing our findings, rehearsing in my mind how I would present the evidence. Sarah was a constant presence, offering support and the occasional cup of calming tea.
At 2:50 PM, I made my way to the conference room, my heart pounding with each step. The room was already occupied by Mr. Larkin, two auditors, and a legal advisor—a veritable lineup of authority. They exchanged polite greetings, but the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.
“Thank you all for coming,” Mr. Larkin began, his tone formal. “We’re here to discuss the discrepancies in the financial records as discovered by our team.” He gestured for me to begin.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Our review of Project Delta has uncovered a series of duplicate entries and fabricated services,” I started, distributing copies of our findings. “We believe these irregularities were intentional, designed to divert funds through false billing.”
The room was silent as they examined the documents, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The lead auditor, a composed woman in her 40s, looked up. “These are serious allegations,” she said, her voice measured. “Have you identified who is responsible?”
“Not yet,” I admitted, “but the evidence suggests internal collusion.” I could sense the shift in the room’s dynamic—a collective understanding that this was more than a simple oversight.
Mr. Larkin’s expression was inscrutable, but I could see a flicker of something—perhaps surprise, or maybe respect. “We’ll need to conduct a full investigation,” he said, his gaze meeting mine. “But thank you for bringing this to light.”
The meeting concluded with a plan to delve deeper, to unearth the full extent of the deception. As I left the room, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. The truth was now out in the open, but the path ahead was uncertain.
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