Reincarnated With the Ultimate Son-in-law System

Chapter 26

The tension in the Crawford Enterprises boardroom felt like a physical weight pressing down on everyone present. Michael had been summoned from the MePhone launch aftermath with an urgent message—emergency board meeting, immediate attendance required, no exceptions.

Now he understood why.

"As you can see," Eric said, his voice dripping with regret that didn't reach his eyes, "the financial discrepancies are substantial."

He gestured to the documents displayed on the massive screen dominating the wall. Account statements, transfer records, authorization codes—all meticulously organized to tell a damning story.

"$4.7 million," he continued, pacing slowly before the stunned board members. "Missing from Project Horizon accounts over the past three months."

Board Chairman Wilson leaned forward, his bushy eyebrows drawn together. "And these transfers were authorized by...?"

Eric paused dramatically, his eyes finding Michael's across the polished mahogany table. "By Michael Crawford. His electronic signature appears on every transaction."

The room temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Twelve pairs of eyes turned toward Michael, expressions ranging from confusion to outright accusation.

"This is the first I'm hearing of any missing funds," Michael said, keeping his voice steady despite the rage building inside him.

Eric clicked to the next slide, displaying a series of transfer authorizations, each bearing Michael's digital signature. "These records say otherwise, brother."

"Those signatures are forged," Michael stated flatly.

Board member Jenkins, always quick to judgment, scoffed audibly. "Electronic signatures have multi-factor authentication. They can't simply be forged."

"Unless someone had access to my authentication credentials," Michael countered.

Eric spread his hands in a gesture of helpless concern. "Which would mean either gross negligence in securing your access codes or..." He let the alternative hang unspoken in the air.

"Or deliberate theft," Michael finished for him. "I'm not a thief, and I'm not negligent. These documents have been falsified."

Richard Crawford had remained silent throughout the exchange, his expression unreadable. Now he cleared his throat. "Where's the money now?"

Eric clicked to another slide. "That's the problem. The transfers were routed through a series of shell companies before disappearing into untraceable cryptocurrency accounts."

"Convenient," Michael said. "And when exactly did this discrepancy come to light?"

"This morning," Eric replied smoothly. "During a routine financial review."

"The morning after Buzzer Technology launches a revolutionary product that threatens our market position," Michael noted. "Another interesting coincidence."

A subtle message flashed in Michael's field of vision: [Task assigned: Prove your innocence without revealing your monitoring systems. Reward: Enhanced Financial Insight.]

Vanessa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "What are you implying, Michael?"

"I'm not implying anything," he replied calmly. "I'm stating facts. Fact one: I did not authorize these transfers. Fact two: This accusation comes immediately after a major market disruption. Fact three: I have no access to or knowledge of these supposed cryptocurrency accounts."

Board member Chen, always the peacemaker, raised her hands. "Perhaps we should step back and investigate thoroughly before making accusations."

"I agree," Michael said. "I request 48 hours to conduct my own investigation into these allegations."

Jenkins shook his head. "With all due respect, we can't allow the accused party to investigate himself."

"I'm not suggesting I be the only investigator," Michael clarified. "But I deserve the opportunity to defend myself."

Richard finally spoke up, his voice carrying the weight of authority that had built a billion-dollar empire. "Michael gets 48 hours. The board will conduct its own parallel investigation through our external auditors."

Michael caught his father's subtle nod—nearly imperceptible but unmistakable in its meaning. Despite the damning evidence, his father wasn't entirely convinced by Eric's performance.

"Thank you, Father," Michael said.

"In the meantime," Eric interjected, "surely Michael should be temporarily suspended from his duties as COO? For the company's protection?"

Richard's eyes hardened. "My son is innocent until proven guilty, Eric. He remains COO until evidence suggests otherwise."

Eric's jaw tightened, but he nodded in apparent acceptance. "Of course, Father. I only want what's best for Crawford Enterprises."

"As do we all," Richard replied, his gaze moving between his sons with an intensity that made several board members shift uncomfortably.

"This meeting is adjourned until Friday morning," Richard announced. "At which time we will reconvene to hear the findings of both investigations."

The board members filed out in clusters of twos and threes, hushed conversations breaking out the moment they cleared the doorway. Michael remained seated, methodically gathering the copies of the "evidence" Eric had distributed.

"I know what you're doing," Michael said quietly when only Eric and he remained in the room.

Eric raised an eyebrow. "Protecting the company from financial mismanagement?"

"Frame and discredit," Michael replied. "Classic tactic. But you've made a critical mistake."

"Oh?" Eric's confidence never wavered. "And what might that be?"

Michael stood, straightening his jacket. "You're playing a game I've already seen."

Something flickered across Eric's face.. confusion, perhaps, or the first hint of doubt. "What does that even mean?"

"You'll understand soon enough," Michael promised, gathering his materials and heading for the door.

**

In the executive hallway, board members glanced away as Michael passed, their sudden fascination with their phones and tablets almost comical. Only Richard met Michael's eyes directly, giving him another subtle nod before disappearing into his office.

Near the elevator bank, Michael spotted Katherine in animated conversation with Vanessa. As he approached, they fell silent, Katherine's lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Difficult meeting, darling?" she asked, her voice dripping with false concern.

"Nothing I can't handle," Michael replied.

"Of course," she agreed, squeezing his arm with perfectly manicured fingers. "You always land on your feet."

As Michael stepped into the elevator, Katherine turned back to Vanessa, discreetly unlocking her phone. His enhanced perception caught the partial text on her screen before the doors closed:

"Phase 1 complete. Prepare for asset acquisition."

The elevator descended smoothly, carrying Michael away from the boardroom drama while his mind raced with possibilities. They had made their move—a well-executed attempt to discredit him before the board while simultaneously creating a paper trail that would justify seizing his assets during the inevitable "investigation."

In his previous life, this exact scenario had played out differently. Michael had panicked, made desperate moves to clear his name, only to fall deeper into the trap Eric had set. His frantic attempts to prove his innocence had only made him appear more guilty.

This time would be different.

Michael pulled out his MePhone, "Sandra, it's Michael. I need everything we have on Project Horizon's financial records. And contact Olivia.. tell her we need to accelerate Protocol Honeytrap."

"Game on, brother," Michael whispered as the elevator doors opened to the lobby. "Game on."