Chapter 22 - The Foundation’s Flaw
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The geological survey was dated nineteen years ago. It detailed the subterranean structure beneath the Monarch Grand and the surrounding three blocks—the exact footprint of the highly lucrative underground development project that Bennett Global was currently moving forward with.
Charlotte read the unredacted sections. Most of it was standard engineering jargon regarding bedrock depth and water tables. But the final page, signed by an independent engineering firm that had since gone bankrupt, contained a stark warning.
"Significant seismic instability detected in Sector 4," Charlotte read aloud. "Proceeding with deep excavation poses a severe risk of structural compromise to existing surface foundations. Recommend immediate cessation of project."
Sector 4 was directly beneath the Monarch Grand.
"My father stopped the project because digging would have endangered the hotel," Charlotte realized, the pieces falling into place. "He buried the report and locked the account to ensure no one else would try it."
"But Adrian found out," Ethan concluded. "Adrian resurrected the project, ignored the survey, and probably intended to siphon the profits before the structural damage became apparent."
"And if the hotel’s foundation cracked?"
"He would have blamed the contractors, collected the insurance, and walked away a billionaire," Ethan said grimly.
Charlotte stared at the screen. The underground project was currently Bennett Global’s most profitable venture. They had already invested tens of millions in preliminary excavation, and the employee pension fund was partially tied to its projected success.
"We have to stop the digging," Charlotte said immediately.
"Charlotte, if you halt Crownbridge now, the financial hit to Bennett Global will be catastrophic," Ethan warned gently. "The board just authorized the next phase. The investors will panic. The pension fund will take a hit."
"If we don't halt it, the Monarch could collapse," Charlotte said, her voice hard. "My father chose the safety of his building and his people over profit. I’m not going to be the Bennett who chooses differently."
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She stood up, grabbing the hard drive.
"Call an emergency board meeting for tomorrow morning," she instructed Ethan. "And get me the lead engineer for Crownbridge on the phone. We have a very unpleasant conversation to have."
