Chapter 24- The Company Storm

Monday arrived with the weight of a thousand stones. The company building, a tall glass tower that reflected the morning sun like a sword, looked as indifferent as ever. But something in the air had changed. I could feel it in the whispers that followed me through the lobby, in the eyes that lingered too long, and in the sudden hush every time I passed by.

Samantha was already at her desk, typing away with her signature fake-smile plastered across her face. I walked past her without a word, settling into my seat, the sting of her sabotage still fresh in my mind.

Today, I was going to survive. No matter what.

I opened William's calendar and began organizing the week. There were meetings, reports, and the looming company event that had everyone walking around like headless chickens. He hadn’t said a word to me since the night he came to my house, but I could feel his presence hovering even when he wasn’t around.

"Lily," Samantha said sweetly, standing beside my desk with a file in her hand. "William asked me to have you deliver these revised contracts to the finance team on the twelfth floor. Urgently."

I looked up. "He told you that?"

"Of course," she said with an innocent blink. "Would I lie?"

I grabbed the file and stood. I wasn’t about to let her trap me.

The elevator ride felt longer than usual, crammed between suits and interns. By the time I got to the twelfth floor, the finance team looked up in confusion.

"We didn’t request anything," one of them said.

I opened the file. It was blank. Every sheet inside.

Rage bubbled inside me. That witch.

By the time I returned, Samantha was gone. Probably off laughing about her little prank. I resisted the urge to scream. William's office door was open, and I could see him working, brows furrowed in concentration.

I debated telling him. But what would I say?

Your HR is a jealous psychopath? Not without proof.

Just then, William looked up. Our eyes met for a split second. I quickly returned to my desk, trying to calm my breathing.

Hours passed. Samantha returned and pretended to ask if the task had gone well. I gave her a tight smile.

"By the way," she added, twirling a pen in her fingers, "William might need you to prepare the entire week’s board meeting slides. You know, just in case. He said you should stay late tonight."

My fingers dug into my chair. "Thanks for the heads-up."

I didn’t believe her. But if I refused and she was right, it would come back to haunt me.

I stayed late.

By 8:00 p.m., the office was nearly empty. I was still at my desk, working on backup slides just in case. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me.

"Why are you still here?" William asked.

I jumped. He was standing beside me, holding a coffee mug. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, his tie loosened. He looked... tired.

"Samantha said you might need the board presentation early."

His brows furrowed. "I never said that."

I sighed. Of course.

He took the mouse, clicked through my slides, and then looked at me. "Why are you letting her play you like this?"

I stood, arms folded. "Because I don't have the power to stop her. Not without evidence."

He studied me for a moment, then said, "Come."

"What?"

"Follow me."

He led me through the back hallway, into the security room. One of the guards stood, saluting him.

"Playback from yesterday and today," William ordered. "Secretary wing, station four."

My eyes widened. Cameras. Of course.

The screen flickered, showing Samantha smirking as she rerouted mail carts, switching documents, whispering to the intern who handled vendor calls. It was all there.

"D******d that and send it to me," William said.

Then he looked at me.

"You have your proof now."

I stared at him. "Why did you help me?"

He didn’t answer immediately. Then he said, "Because people like her think silence is weakness."

The next morning, Samantha walked into the office as usual, coffee in hand, confidence in her stride.

William called a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

The entire department was gathered.

"There have been multiple delays, miscommunications, and workflow errors," William began. "After a thorough investigation, it has been found that a member of this team has been intentionally sabotaging operations."

Samantha paled.

William played the footage.

Gasps filled the room. Samantha tried to explain, but it was too late.

"You're fired," William said coldly. "Security will escort you out."

She screamed. Cried. Threw her coffee cup.

It didn’t matter.

She was gone.

Afterward, I sat at my desk, stunned. It was over. The constant poking, the games, the subtle insults.

William stepped out of his office and approached me.

"Prepare the meeting documents. We have a company event to run."

"Yes, sir."

He paused. "And Lily?"

I looked up.

"Good job."

For the first time in weeks, I smiled.