Chapter 31- Storm Before The Calm

The buzz of the grand company event still lingered in the air the next morning, though the glitz had faded into silence. Lily had left the venue early, the echoes of whispered judgments and fake smiles still haunting her. Now, as she stepped back into the office, everything looked the same—but felt entirely different.

The office felt unusually still that morning—eerily silent, like the moment just before thunder cracks open a dark sky.

Lily stood near the elevator, organizing the last few files she had retrieved from the records room. Her heels clicked softly against the marbled floor as she made her way to William’s office. She was early—perhaps too early. But after the week she had endured—being framed, humiliated in front of her colleagues, and barely getting through Natasha's sharp remarks—she had started arriving earlier and leaving later. It was the only way to keep her head above water.

As she reached the CEO’s office, the door was slightly ajar. William was already inside, standing near the full-length window with a cup of black coffee in hand. He didn’t acknowledge her at first, and she wasn’t sure if he’d heard her enter. The skyline behind him cast a golden hue across the polished floor, illuminating the sharpness of his silhouette.

“Sir?” she said softly.

He turned, his expression unreadable. “You're early.”

“I had some pending files to review,” she replied, setting the documents on the table. “Also… the presentation for tomorrow’s partnership meeting has been finalized. I’ve printed two copies and mailed the digital version to your assistant.”

“Good.” He took a sip of his coffee, eyes drifting back to the window.

She waited for a moment before gathering the courage to speak again. “There’s something else.”

William’s eyes didn’t waver. “Speak.”

Lily hesitated, then spoke carefully. “About Samantha… I know she’s trying to dig a hole under me. She’s spreading rumors, altering data sheets. Yesterday, she intercepted a client call and told them I wasn’t available—without my permission. It’s affecting work.”

William’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t show much reaction. “Handle it.”

“I’ve tried, but she’s provoking me again in ways I can’t respond to. If I say something, it’ll seem personal.”

He finally looked at her—really looked at her. “Are you asking me to fire her again?”

Lily straightened her spine. “No. I’m asking you to observe her. And then decide.”

A strange expression passed over his face—part intrigue, part frustration. He nodded once. “Noted.”

There was a beat of silence before Lily asked, “Why did you bring her back, anyway? She was fired for breaching office protocol.”

William tilted his head slightly. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Isn’t that what you wanted too?”

Lily bit her tongue.

“Dismissed,” he said.

She turned and left, unsure if the conversation had helped or worsened things. But as she walked away, she sensed something different about William’s demeanor—he wasn’t the same cold man he used to be. There were cracks in his armor now. But cracks weren’t clarity. They were still dangerous.

---

Later that day, as she passed the break room, Lily overheard a group of interns gossiping about her.

“…She only got that seat because Natasha put in a good word for her…”

“…I heard William used to date her. Or maybe still does…”

“…Well, she’s acting like she runs the place now…”

Lily stepped in.

The room went silent.

“Next time you want to talk about me,” she said, meeting each of their gazes, “make sure the door is shut. It helps keep the noise inside.”

She left before any of them could speak.

---

After few days, Lily was working in the central conference room when she found a new file on the desk labeled: Project Iris: Internal Audit.

Strange. She hadn't ordered this report. When she opened it, her brows drew together.

Half the charts were tampered with. Data fields were off by just enough to seem real—but they weren’t. Anyone unaware of the original values would assume this was genuine.

Someone was planting evidence again.

She took the file to IT and asked for a print log. It led back to one system: Samantha’s.

Her blood boiled.

---

She found Samantha near the printers, pretending to read an HR memo.

“I see you’ve developed a taste for fiction,” Lily said, holding the file in one hand.

Samantha looked up, unbothered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“This audit report? You printed it using your credentials. Want to deny that?”

Samantha smirked. “Mistakes happen. Maybe the system was hacked.”

“I’ll let William decide that,” Lily said, turning to leave.

But Samantha wasn’t done.

“You think you’re untouchable because William looks at you twice? Please. He did the same with Natasha. Guess how that ended?”

Lily didn’t look back. “Guess we’ll both find out.”

---

That evening, Lily returned home exhausted. She hadn't seen Justin in days. The calls were shorter now, more professional. Ever since he realized she was starting to get close to William again, his demeanor had changed—cooler, more calculated.

There was a knock on the door. It wasn’t Justin.

It was Nany.

Lily opened the door, surprised. “Hey! What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you,” Nany said, holding up a small bag. “And I brought snacks. Don’t worry—they’re not poisoned.”

They both laughed.

As they sat on the couch, Nany leaned in. “I overheard something today in the legal department.”

“What?”

“There’s a potential lawsuit against Samantha. One of her previous colleagues reported harassment and data manipulation. It’s from before she rejoined.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “Then how did she get rehired?”

“I don’t know,” Nany whispered. “But someone up there is protecting her.”

William? Lily wondered. Or was it someone else entirely?

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