Chapter 10 - RICHARD'S COUNTERATTACK
Richard Reed stopped playing defense.
He sued Margaret.
Defamation.
Interference with business relations.
Misappropriation of confidential records.
Aggressive.
Smart.
His lawyers argued Laura had unlawfully copied private documents and Margaret was now threatening to release incomplete records without context.
Some documents lacked full accounting schedules.
True.
Then Richard released evidence that several disputed programs had later been reimbursed from unrestricted donor funds.
Also true.
Meaning not every questionable transfer caused permanent loss to scholarship accounts.
Emily felt the case slipping.
Then forensic accountants reconstructed timing.
The reimbursements occurred only after Laura complained.
Before that:
restricted funds had paid donor-family expenses.
The correction did not erase the original misuse.
Then another issue.
Ashley’s expenses had been authorized by a committee vote.
Richard did not vote personally.
He had recused himself.
Smart.
But emails showed he privately recommended Ashley for the programs and failed to disclose that scholarship funds would be used.
Not theft in a simple movie sense.
Governance abuse.
Conflict.
Misrepresentation.
Harder to explain.
More believable.
Then Richard went on local television.
He said:
“My family is being attacked by people seeking money.”
Emily watched.
Margaret did not react.
Then the interviewer asked:
“Have the Carters demanded money?”
Richard paused.
May you like
“No.”
The first crack.
