Chapter 27.2: Just a broken trust

"Jason, I don't think this has anything to do with Ivy or Nancy…" Marcel said as he put down a blue file in front of Jason who was furrowing his eyebrow in confusion the next day in office.

Jason read the bank statement in front of him and was shocked to find a large withdrawal of seven hundred thousand which he couldn't relate what expenses it was for. 

"Seven hundred thousand dollars? Was this for the roadshow?" Jason questioned as he flipped over to find no supporting documents.

Marcel shook his head. "All of the roadshow expenses had supporting documents. Only this particular transaction does not have any supporting documents to it…" Jason squinted his eyes looking outside of the office thinking of what were the possibilities as he thought of the only person other than Marcel who could withdraw from the company's account was Ann, their accountant and Ivy but Ivy only could deposit cheque and not issue any payments.

"What do you think we should do about this?" Jason asked Marcel as he thought hard for a plan.

"I have checked with the bank and all withdrawals have been made by Ann… They have never seen Ivy before this." Marcel lowered his invoice as Jason was thinking of ways to handle Ann and Ivy.

"But we don't have enough proof…" Jason said as he rubbed his chin.

"Yes about that…I have checked the CCTV and it was proven that Ivy left first before Ann on the day of withdrawal…" Marcel half mumbled knowing it would involve Ivy while Jason interrupted him.

"Do you want to take a bet?" Jason asked Marcel as he raised an eyebrow.

"I don't understand… What's the plan?" Marcel said as he held two arms out to hold the table and support himself while he bent down a little facing Jason. 

"Just tell them both they are under investigation and they can only handle the accounts once we are done with the investigation. I am sure the real culprit will show themselves…" Although Jason said it nonchalantly, his eyes were trembling thinking about facing Ivy. 

A part of him knew it wasn't her but he knew he had to treat work professionally. Marcel stood straight and touched his chin pondering.

"Go ahead and tell them…" Jason urged Marcel to proceed as mentioned as he walked towards their place to tell them of their suspension.

Ivy was surprised at first but felt something wasn't right as Ann kept looking guilty and kept quiet all the way. Instead of questioning her, she knew better to abide by the management decisions. "Alright. I will take a break from work while the investigation is ongoing…" Ivy agreed immediately while Ann looked at her in a state of shock as she didn't expect Ivy to agree without a fight.

Ivy didn't show a sign of rebellion or being upset as she packed her bags while Ann came up with an idea. "I know who it was…" Ann announced out of the blue that even Jason paid close attention. All eyes were on Ann as she stepped closer to Ivy who was looking at her for an answer. 

"It's her…" Ann pointed at Ivy's direction as Ivy raised an eyebrow and squinted.

"During the roadshow, there was only the both of us in the office and I told her to pass some files to Mr. Rahi and also make withdrawal for the usage of the roadshow. She wanted to bank some cheque so I handed her the company bank card… So it was her who took the money…" Ann pointed back at Ivy again as Ivy watched Ann making her into a scapegoat.

Ivy looked across the office towards Jason who looked very upset. She couldn't tell if he believed Ann but all she knew was she was innocent. Ivy contemplated on saying her thoughts as she took a step forward towards Ann and decided to stand up for herself.

"What she said was half truth. I only send the files to Mr. Rahi's house for urgent signature. I never went to the bank with the bank card nor did I make any withdrawals or deposited any cheque that day. I will fully cooperate with the investigation… I have nothing to hide." Ivy spoke with confidence that Nancy looked across at Jason who didn't flinch at all. 

Nancy knew Jason already had an idea who he was dealing with as she stood by the corner not worrying about Ivy anymore. Jason recalled that day Ann mentioned and instantly remembered it was the day they fought over her getting injured due to Nancy.

Jason was waiting for Ann to give herself away as he patiently watched all her false charges thrown at Ivy. A part of him felt as though he was ripped apart for watching Ivy being made the scapegoat but he knew it was the only way. Ivy knew in circumstances like this she had to fend for herself although she was innocent no one would believe it if she kept quiet all the way although she hoped Marcel and Jason didn't doubt her.

Marcel stepped in between both ladies. "There is no proof to what both of you have just said… We request for both of you to leave the premises till investigation is completed…"

"No need… You want proof? Here they are…" Ann threw out the withdrawal notes on the table and cheque deposits note. 

Jason's lips curved up into a smile as Ivy raised an eyebrow at Ann. A part of her had already known Ann had given herself away. Marcel was trying to contain himself from smiling while taking a look at the withdrawals receipts and confirmed the dates to be correct.

However, Ivy couldn't help but to be upset at Ann's treatment towards her. Ivy had always thought Ann was a great colleague and friend. While she helped Ann out, she learned a lot from her. Unfortunately, as Ivy swallow her saliva trying not to be overwhelmed by her emotions at the familiar feeling of denial and disappointment state of mind she experienced every time she felt she was taken advantage of, she knew at this point no matter how she fight to defend herself, the person trying to scheme her way out would still try to find ways to hide the truth.

"Don't you think you're giving yourself away too much?" Jason knew it was at Ivy's breaking point as he asked from a far as he walked over to the crowd. He wasn't specifically looking at Ann but more towards Ivy to study her emotions but instead she was concealing them well. She was raising an eyebrow questioning him in confusion. Ivy's messed up mind made her decide to give up defending herself anymore and leave instead.

"I shall be obliged with the management decision to leave till your investigation is completed…" Ivy said before walking off to the main door leaving everyone in a surprise. It took Jason by surprise that she was very professional and instead of helping her out, he seemed to have created a misunderstanding with Ivy. He told himself to handle matters on hand first as he turned his head towards Ann.

"I was talking to you earlier…" Jason said sternly as most of the staff in the crowd gasped.

"We already have evidence of you leaving the office last on that day and the bank has confirmed that the only person who does withdrawals is you Ann and not Ivy on that day… What else do you have to say for yourself?" Jason was raising his voice which frightened Ann a little.

"I'm sorry Mr. Rahi! Please forgive me…" Ann finally admitted to it as she knelt before him.

"You're dismissed with immediate effect… Call the police Marcel!" Jason announced as Ann held on to his hand and begged him.

"Please don't report me… Please don't fire me Mr. Rahi! I needed money to pay for my child's hospital bill for an operation on his heart… Please Mr. Rahi…" Ann begged as Jason signaled Marcel to handle her.

Marcel tried to help Ann up but Ann crawled to Jason and begged him instead. "I cannot trust your work any longer Ann. This is about being integrity and trustworthy. I can don't report you but it would be best for you to hand in your resignation…" Jason said as he stormed back into his office.

Marcel and some security guards helped to clear away Ann's things into a box and helped her up to walk her out of the office.

Marcel went into Jason's office to find him holding on to his pounding head facing the window.

"Jason… Ann has left. About the money…" Marcel said before Jason interrupted him. 

"I will reimburse the company. Take it as a compassionate payment to Ann… After all, she, had her predicaments. If only she came to me to speak about it before doing such stuff…" Jason said while wincing.

"Do you need some medication?" Marcel asked, noticing Jason must have a migraine. Jason shook his head.

"I will arrange to find a replacement for Ann…" Marcel added as Jason shook his head again.

"You don't have to for the time being… I will assign Ivy to the task. I will get home to speak with her for now…" Jason said as he stood to leave while Marcel nodded and followed him to drive him home.