127 Chapter 127
127 Chapter 127
# Chapter 127 – The Scapegoat Shareholder
Hazel’s POV
My heart hammered against my ribs as Director Chen led me toward the elevator. Something felt off. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Excuse me,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “You mentioned tax evasion connected to my company. Could you be more specific?”
Director Chen’s expression remained impassive. “Not your fashion company, Ms. Shaw. This investigation concerns Far Ocean Trading Company.”
I nearly stumbled. “Far Ocean Trading? That’s my father’s business.”
“According to our records, you’re the majority shareholder.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. This made no sense. I owned a small percentage of Far Ocean-a gift from my father years ago that I’d never been allowed to manage or profit from. The second-largest shareholder, not the majority owner.
Cherry approached us, her eyes wide with concern. “Ms. Shaw, shall I reschedule your afternoon meetings?”
My mind raced as I nodded. “And contact Matheson & Partners. Tell them it’s urgent.”
“Your lawyers won’t be necessary at this stage,” Director Chen cut in. “This is just a preliminary inquiry.”
The warning bells in my head grew louder. I turned to Cherry and dropped my voice. “If I’m not back by five, call Sebastian.”
She nodded, understanding the gravity of my instruction.
The ride to the tax bureau was silent and suffocating. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past as I pieced together what was happening. This had my father’s fingerprints all over it–but even for him, this level of betrayal seemed
extreme.
At the bureau, they led me to a sterile interrogation room. A man in a crisp suit joined
us, introducing himself as Investigator Wong.
“Your devices, please,” he said, gesturing to my phone and tablet.
“On what grounds?” I asked.
“Standard procedure for financial investigations,” Director Chen replied. “We’ll provide you with a receipt.”
Reluctantly, I surrendered my electronics. Without them, I felt naked, cut off from any support or information.
Wong placed a thick folder on the table. “Ms. Shaw, are you aware that Far Ocean Trading Company has been operating with significant tax irregularities for the past three years?”
“No,” I answered honestly. “I have no involvement in the company’s operations.”
“Yet you own seventy percent of the shares.” He slid a document across the table—a corporate registration certificate with my name prominently listed.
I leaned forward, studying the paper with growing horror. “This isn’t right. I’ve only ever owned fifteen percent. My father holds the majority.”
“Not according to these transfer documents,” Director Chen said, presenting another paper-a share transfer agreement bearing my signature.
I examined it closely. The signature looked authentic, but I had no memory of ever signing such a document. “This is dated last month. I never signed this.”
“It’s been properly notarized,” Wong pointed out.
My blood ran cold as realization dawned. “My father did this. He forged my signature or slipped this into documents I was signing for my own business.”
“That’s a serious accusation, Ms. Shaw.” Director Chen’s tone remained neutral, but I caught the skepticism in her eyes.
“It’s the truth. I’ve had no access to Far Ocean’s financial records, no involvement in management decisions, no knowledge of its operations.” I fought to keep my voice level. “My father has set me up as his scapegoat.”
Wong didn’t seem impressed. “Far Ocean Trading has evaded approximately
thirty-eight million in taxes over the past three years. As the majority shareholder and legal representative, you’re personally liable for these amounts, plus penalties.”
My stomach dropped. “That’s impossible. I can’t be held responsible for decisions I
didn’t make.”
“The law is quite clear on this matter,” he replied coldly. “As the legal representative, you bear ultimate responsibility.”
I straightened in my chair, refusing to show weakness. “I want to contact my lawyer
now.”
“In due time,” Director Chen said. “First, we need to complete our questioning.”
For the next three hours, they bombarded me with questions about accounts I’d never seen, transactions I knew nothing about, and business partners I’d never met. I repeated the same answers-I had no knowledge, no involvement, no control.
“What happens now?” I finally asked, my throat dry from talking.
Wong closed his folder. “The case will proceed to formal investigation. You’ll need to pay the owed taxes and penalties within thirty days to avoid criminal charges.”
“And if I can’t pay?” The sum they mentioned would bankrupt me several times over.
“Then you’ll face prosecution for tax evasion,” Director Chen stated matter-of-factly. “The maximum sentence is seven years.”
Seven years. The room seemed to spin around me. My father had orchestrated my financial and personal destruction with clinical precision-right after his other daughter’s funeral.
I pushed back my chair. “Am I free to leave? I need to speak with my father.”
“Not yet,” Wong said. “There are additional matters to discuss.”
“How long will this take?” I demanded, anger finally breaking through my composed facade. “My father is out there right now, covering his tracks while you keep me locked
in here.”
Director Chen’s expression softened slightly-the first crack in her professional veneer. “Ms. Shaw, if what you’re claiming is true, we’ll discover it during our investigation. But right now, we need you to be patient.”
127 Chapter 127
Patient. While my father walked free. While he destroyed evidence. While he potentially fled the country.
I glanced at the wall clock-5:30 PM. By now, Cherry would have contacted Sebastian. The thought gave me a small measure of comfort. Whatever game my father was playing, he had no idea who he was really up against.
I leaned back in my chair, a new resolve hardening inside me. If my father thought framing me would break me, he was sorely mistaken. I’d survived betrayal after betrayal. This was just one more battle.
“Very well,” I said calmly. “I’ll answer your questions. But understand this-when I walk out of here, I’m going straight for my father. And after what he’s done, he’ll wish he only had tax officials to deal with.”
Wong and Chen exchanged glances, clearly unsettled by my sudden shift from defensive to determined.
“How much longer will I be detained?” I asked again.
Director Chen adjusted her glasses. “Be patient, Ms. Shaw. These things take time.”
As they gathered their papers to leave me waiting once more, I knew with absolute certainty that this wasn’t over-it was just beginning. My father had declared war. And I was ready to fight back.
