Chapter 14: Lines They Shouldn’t Cross

By Monday morning, the energy in the office felt darker — heavier, as if everyone knew something but pretended not to. Lena stepped off the elevator with her shoulders tense, bracing for another day of whispers. Her heart dropped when she saw Jamie from HR speaking quietly with Victoria near the conference room.

Both women glanced at her at the same time.

That was all it took.

Her breath hitched.

She hurried to her desk, fighting the urge to run. She barely had time to set her bag down before her phone buzzed with an internal message.

From: HR

Subject: Meeting Request

Her heart froze.

Just as her nerves spiraled, Alexander appeared from his office, his expression unreadable.

“Lena,” he said gently. “Inside. Now.”

She followed him, heart pounding. When the door closed behind them, she spoke first.

“Jamie emailed me. HR wants a meeting.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I know. She came to me first.”

Her stomach twisted. “What did she say?”

He exhaled slowly. “That concerns have been raised about… favoritism.”

Lena felt the room tilt. “Favoritism?”

“Someone told HR you’ve been receiving ‘unusual attention.’ Extra guidance. Extra time alone.” His voice hardened. “It’s a lie. It’s all framed to look suspicious.”

She sank into the chair, hands trembling. “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things—”

“No,” he snapped, too sharply. Then he softened. “Lena, don’t take the blame for something you didn’t do.”

“I kissed you.”

“I kissed you,” he corrected. “And nobody else’s business.”

She looked at him — really looked — and saw the strain around his eyes, the tension in his jaw. He was trying to stay composed, but beneath it she sensed he was drowning, too.

“Alex,” she whispered, “someone is trying to ruin us.”

His expression darkened. “Not us. You.”

Her breath stalled. “Why me?”

“Because hurting you hurts me,” he said quietly. “And whoever this is knows it.”

She felt something inside her twist painfully — fear or longing, she couldn’t tell.

“If HR believes them, I could lose my job,” she whispered.

He took a step closer. “I won’t let that happen.”

She wanted to believe him. God, she needed to.

Before she could respond, another knock shattered the moment.

Alexander’s posture instantly changed — back straight, face composed.

Jamie stepped in.

“Mr. Knight. Lena.” Her tone was polite, but her eyes carefully avoided any warmth. “Victoria and I would like to speak with Lena in the HR office.”

Of course Victoria would be involved.

Lena felt her palms sweat, her throat close. “Now?”

“Yes,” Jamie said gently. “It won’t take long.”

Alexander stepped forward. “I’ll be joining—”

“Actually,” Victoria’s voice cut in from the doorway, smooth and poisonous, “that won’t be necessary. We only need Miss Carter.”

Alexander’s jaw flexed. “She’s my assistant. Any inquiry involving her concerns me.”

Victoria smiled, but her eyes glittered with challenge. “Professional boundaries, Mr. Knight. You know how important they are.”

The air thinned.

Jamie almost looked uncomfortable. “Let’s just proceed,” she said, trying to be neutral.

Lena rose slowly, her legs barely steady.

Alexander moved subtly between her and the door, his voice low. “You don’t have to say anything you’re uncomfortable with. If you feel pressured—”

“Alex,” she whispered, barely audible, “I’ll be okay.”

But she wasn’t sure she meant it.

She walked out of his office, sensing his eyes on her, filled with worry… and something else. Something he couldn’t say out loud.

Victoria’s heels clicked sharply beside her, each step a shove deeper into danger.

The HR office door closed behind them with a quiet thud.

Jamie leaned forward, folding her hands. “Lena, we’ve received a complaint.”

Lena exhaled slowly. “About me?”

Victoria’s lips curled. “About you and Mr. Knight.”

Lena’s heart slammed against her ribs.

“A concern was raised that your relationship with Mr. Knight may not be…” Jamie searched for the right word. “…strictly professional.”

Lena’s throat tightened.

Victoria tilted her head. “So let’s clear this up, shall we?”

Lena looked at them — one woman genuinely worried, the other hungry for a confession.

Her voice came out small, but steady.

“What exactly are you accusing me of?”

Victoria smiled sweetly.

“Oh, nothing specific.

Not yet.”