The Cost Was Bigger Than Food
The investigation spread beyond the restaurant.
Renovation invoices claimed guest rooms had gotten new flooring, furniture, lighting, fixtures.
Many hadn’t.
Maintenance invoices described major HVAC replacements that never happened.
Equipment purchases existed only on paper.
One vendor turned out to be connected to a company owned by a relative of Douglas’s.
The documented losses added up to several million dollars.
Douglas asked for a private conversation.
Grant refused.
“You don’t understand what this will do to the Sterling Harbor name,” Douglas warned. “Handle it quietly. I’ll resign, and some of the money can go back.”
Grant looked at the man he’d trusted for over a decade.
“You’re not offering to protect this company. You’re asking this company to protect you.”
Douglas didn’t answer.
“That’s not going to happen.”
Access privileges were revoked, independent investigators were brought in, and the company began cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
Grant also ordered a full review of Rachel’s employment record.
Every accusation against her fell apart.
