CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR - A GATHERING STORM

But Michael wasn't done. As soon as Alessandro finished, he jumped in. "Pretty words and noble intentions, nephew. But the fact remains, your leadership has been weak. And there are other... concerns that the board should be aware of." Amelia felt a chill run down her spine. This was it – the moment they'd been dreading. Michael's eyes glittered as he dropped his bombshell. "I have evidence that Alessandro has been embezzling funds from the company. Funneling money into personal accounts, disguised as business expenses." A gasp went up around the table. Alessandro's face paled, but before he could speak, Michael pressed on. "I didn't want to believe it myself," he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "But the numbers don't lie. I have financial records, bank statements, all pointing to Alessandro's guilt." For a moment, chaos erupted in the room. Board members shouted questions, demands for explanations. Amelia felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath her feet. But t