Chapter 15: Under Oath

The HR office was colder than the rest of the building. The fluorescent lights hummed softly overhead, and the air felt too still — like the room wasn’t meant for comfort, but for confession.

Lena sat across from Jamie and Victoria, palms damp, heartbeat echoing in her ears.

Jamie offered a polite, sympathetic smile. “Lena, please relax. This is just a clarification meeting.”

Easy for her to say.

Victoria crossed her legs slowly, the movement controlled and confident. “Let’s get straight to the point,” she said. “There seems to be… concern about the nature of your interactions with Mr. Knight.”

Lena swallowed, forcing her voice to stay steady. “We have a professional relationship.”

Victoria raised a perfectly shaped brow. “Professional? Is that what you’d call spending long hours alone with him? Closed office doors? Him calling you in more frequently than any other assistant?”

The words stung. “My job duties require it.”

Victoria leaned in slightly. “And do your job duties also include… personal conversations?”

Jamie shot Victoria a warning look. “Victoria, let’s stay objective.”

But Victoria wasn’t here for objective. She was here for blood.

“Lena,” Jamie said gently, “HR received an anonymous note expressing concern about possible favoritism. We need to confirm if you feel pressured or uncomfortable in any way.”

“No,” Lena said quickly. “Never.”

Victoria narrowed her eyes, studying Lena like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit. “So you deny any inappropriate involvement with Alexander Knight?”

The way she said his full name made Lena’s chest tighten.

“Yes,” Lena whispered. “I deny it.”

Victoria’s smile sharpened. “Interesting.”

Jamie clicked her pen. “Do you know why someone might accuse you?”

Lena looked down. “People gossip.”

Victoria’s voice purred. “They gossip for a reason.”

A surge of frustration pushed through Lena’s fear.

“What reason? Because he treats me fairly? Because I do my job well?” she snapped before she could stop herself.

Victoria blinked, surprised by the fire in her voice.

Jamie paused her writing. “Lena… is there anything else you want to tell us? Anything you’re worried might be misinterpreted?”

Lena’s mind flashed with memories —

Alexander’s lips on hers,

his hand on her cheek,

his breath mixing with hers,

the way the world disappeared for those few stolen moments.

Her heart screamed tell them nothing.

She shook her head. “No. Nothing.”

Victoria exhaled dramatically. “Alright, then. If you insist there’s nothing going on, we’ll proceed with a standard review.”

“A review?” Lena’s voice cracked. “Of me?”

Jamie nodded. “It’s routine in situations like this. Don’t panic — it’s not disciplinary. We simply need to ensure there’s no conflict of interest.”

Victoria smirked. “Think of it as… transparency.”

Lena looked down at her trembling hands. “How long will the review take?”

“A week or two,” Jamie replied. “Maybe longer.”

A week or two of whispers.

A week or two of being watched.

A week or two of someone waiting for her to slip.

Lena suddenly felt suffocated.

Jamie closed the tablet. “We’ll call you if we need anything else. For now, just continue your work like normal.”

Normal.

The word felt cruel.

Victoria rose from her chair. “One more thing,” she said casually, smoothing her dress. “You might want to be mindful of how closely you stand to certain people. Perception matters.”

Lena stiffened. “Is that a threat?”

“No,” Victoria purred, leaning in just enough that only Lena could hear. “A friendly warning.”

The door opened before Lena could respond.

Alexander stood in the hallway.

His jaw tightened when he saw Lena, his eyes darkening with concern — and something sharper.

Possessive.

Protective.

Jamie offered a quick nod. “We’re done here.”

Victoria stepped out first, brushing past Alexander like she owned the hallway.

But Alexander didn’t look at her.

His eyes were pinned on Lena.

“What happened?” he asked, voice low.

Lena shook her head. “Just questions. But they’re investigating me. And you.”

Anger flickered in his eyes — not wild, but controlled, precise, dangerous.

“I know who sent the note,” he said quietly.

Lena froze. “Who?”

He stepped closer, lowering his tone. “Someone who’s been waiting for a chance to get rid of me.”

Her stomach knotted. “Victoria?”

Alexander’s jaw flexed. “Worse.”

Lena swallowed hard. “Then who?”

His answer made her blood run cold.

“Someone in this building wants to destroy us both — and they’re not done yet.”