A major supplier had suspended credit.

A promised contract had fallen through.

Julian had borrowed short-term money to cover payroll and had concealed the extent of the crisis from me.

Chloe’s records suggested that he had moved some funds between entities in an effort to make his accounts appear healthier to lenders.

Those matters would require independent examination.

They were not proof of every allegation in my spreadsheet, but they explained the pressure beneath his performance.

Dana looked at the disclosed summary and said, “He built two stories to avoid telling one truth.” In business, Julian pretended the money was stable.