CHAPTER 6 — The Call That Ended His Career
Ethan's humiliation should have ended there.
But fate had one more surprise waiting.
Richard Lawson stepped toward the stage.
His expression had completely changed.
He was no longer smiling.
"Dr. Carter."
"I have one question."
Ethan looked exhausted.
"What?"
"Did you use Foundation travel funds for any of these trips?"
The ballroom became silent again.
Sophia slowly looked at Ethan.
"What does he mean?"
Richard pointed toward one photograph still displayed on the giant screen.
"The conference in Chicago."
"Our finance department paid for that trip."
"The Foundation reimbursed your hotel expenses."
He paused.
"But according to these photographs..."
"You weren't attending alone."
Ethan's face turned ghost white.
Richard continued.
"Last month you also requested reimbursement for donor meetings in Florida."
He looked toward Sophia.
"Were those donor meetings too?"
Sophia whispered,
"Ethan..."
"You told me the Foundation approved everything."
Richard immediately turned to the Foundation's legal counsel.
"Freeze every reimbursement connected to Dr. Carter."
"Begin a full forensic audit tonight."
Two board members nodded.
One after another.
Hands were raised.
An emergency executive vote was called right there inside the ballroom.
Five minutes later...
The result was unanimous.
Ethan Carter would not become Executive Director.
He was immediately suspended from every Foundation committee pending investigation.
His standing ovation had transformed into public disgrace in less than twenty minutes.
Reporters rushed toward the stage.
Camera flashes exploded like fireworks.
Questions came from every direction.
"Dr. Carter, did you misuse donor money?"
"Is the affair true?"
"Were Foundation resources involved?"
"Did you commit financial fraud?"
Ethan looked at me.
For the first time in fifteen years...
There was no arrogance.
No confidence.
Only desperation.
"Madison..."
"Please."
"Can we talk?"
I looked at the man I had once believed I would grow old with.
Then I smiled sadly.
"We already did."
"You just weren't listening."
I turned and walked toward the ballroom exit.
Behind me, security officers approached Ethan.
Outside, the warm Dallas night felt strangely peaceful.
Claire handed me my car keys.
"Is it over?"
I looked back at the flashing cameras surrounding the entrance.
"No."
I answered quietly.
"It's only over for the husband."
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A calm male voice said only one sentence.
"Mrs. Carter..."
"I'm calling from the U.S. Attorney's Office."
"We need to speak with you about Dr. Ethan Carter."
My smile disappeared.
May you like
Because whatever Ethan had been hiding...
It was much bigger than an affair.
Related Stories
