Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 469

Harrison Xander reviewed the financials for Langford Medical's charity project for the third time.

Only half the lights were on in the conference room, the sky outside a dreary gray. The risk management team of the Xander Medical Fund sat along both sides of the long table, the only sounds the rustle of paper and the clatter of keyboards.

A flow of funds chart was displayed on the screen.

Langford Family Support Project.

Marketing expenses.

Third-party content services.

Event materials.

Public relations management.

One of the figures wasn't the largest, but it stood out like a sore thumb.

Payee: Starbridge Media.

Harrison raised a hand, his finger hovering over the line.

"Who looked into this company?"

The risk manager immediately pulled up a file.

"Starbridge Media. On paper, they handle medical brand content, charity event promotion, and PR management. Over the past two years, they've taken on promotional projects for several medical institutions, as well as damage control for negative press. Their corporate structure is clean; the legal representative is a professional manager. But they have extensive financial ties to Gavin Shaw's Shaw Tourism & Leisure and the Shaw Philanthropic Joint Initiatives."

Harrison leaned back in his chair.

"Gavin Shaw."

At the mention of the name, everyone in the room looked up.

Harrison was familiar with Lawrence's circle. He knew exactly what kind of man Gavin Shaw was.

A smooth talker at dinners, a gentleman in public, but behind closed doors, a master at dressing up shady dealings as 'resource reallocation.'

Word had already reached Harrison that Gavin had offered Lawrence advice before the Langford banquet.

Vivian Vance's initiative being pushed to the final segment of the gala definitely had Gavin's fingerprints all over it.

Now, Starbridge Media was showing up under marketing expenses for Langford's charity project.

It was too much of a coincidence.

And Harrison despised coincidences.

The risk manager continued, "There's something else. Starbridge Media's accounts cross over with The Evelyn Shaw Foundation, managed by Gavin's wife, Evelyn."

Harrison looked up. "Evelyn Shaw?"

"Yes. The Evelyn Foundation ran a children's psychological support project last year, and Starbridge Media was one of the event executors. However, those accounts were internally adjusted later, which suggests Evelyn demanded a secondary audit of the invoices and service itemizations."

Harrison tapped his knuckles lightly against the table.

"Which means Evelyn has already investigated Starbridge."

"According to the logs, it appears so." The risk manager projected another document onto the screen. "Gavin publicly claims his wife stays out of his business and only handles the foundation and family charity work. But looking at the foundation's books, Evelyn is far from a figurehead. She scrutinizes outsourcing fees, event execution costs, and PR expenses meticulously."

Harrison stared at the photo of Evelyn Shaw on the screen.

In the picture, she wore a light-colored suit, standing in front of a charity event backdrop. Her smile was gentle, her demeanor composed. She lacked Clara Thorne's sharp edge, appearing almost entirely unassuming.

But women who looked like that were the most dangerous to underestimate.

Harrison had heard Gavin's arrogant bragging countless times.

"Evelyn sits comfortably as my wife. What more could she possibly want?"

"She's smart. She doesn't stick her nose in my outside affairs."

"Women—give them money and a title, and they won't make a fuss."

In the past, Harrison had found it disgusting but had paid it no mind.

Now, it seemed Gavin didn't actually know his own wife very well.

Or rather, he was just far too used to underestimating her.

Harrison flipped to the next page of the file.

"After Starbridge Media received these funds from Langford, where did the money go?"

The risk manager clicked through to the next tier.