Chapter 7~ Shadows in Broad Daylight

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The pain in Nora’s skull was still hammering like a damn marching band by the time she stepped into the office. Her stomach was empty, her mood dark. 

She didn’t say hello to anyone and didn’t even bother to fake a smile.

She made a beeline for her desk, yanked open the drawer, popped two pills, and washed them down with the first thing in reach—her coffee. It scalded her throat on the way.

Good. She needed to feel something.

The seconds crawled by. The pounding in her head had faded into a dull, annoying hum. She let out a slow breath, stretched her legs, and shifted in her chair, ready to start work.

But… something was wrong.

Her desk was empty. Completely empty.

No reports, folders. No contracts. Not a single file in sight.

It looked like someone had come in and swept the place clean while she was gone.

She blinked once. Then again. “What the actual hell?”

Her fingers twitched, and her eyes darted around the room. “Where’s Kire?” She muttered under her breath.

The clock on the wall said 11:03 a.m. 

She’d left home around eight and arrived at work by ten. That meant she’d spent two hours at the hospital, still not enough time for someone to clear out her office, unless it was done last night or very early this morning.

Without wasting another breath, Nora grabbed the office phone and dialled her assistant’s extension.

It rang. And rang.

Ten long, grating rings.

No answer.

Her temper snapped like a live wire.

The chair screeched backward as she shot to her feet. 

The phone was still ringing when she threw the door open and stormed out.

Kire’s desk sat right outside her office. Prime position. Easy access.

And there she was—laughing.

Lounged in her chair, sipping coffee like she owned the building, chatting with two staff like she had nothing better to do.

The office phone rang beside her.

And Kire?

Pressed end call with one casual tap of her finger.

Right in front of her.

Nora froze.

Her blood iced over. The two staff spotted her and scattered like mice. 

“Kire,” Nora called out to her, calmly. “Did you not hear me calling for you?”

Kire turned, slow as syrup, eyes bored. “Oh, did you?” she cooed, voice honey-drenched.

“The door must’ve been closed.”

Lie number one.

Nora’s jaw locked. “I called the landline. It’s been ringing beside your elbow for five straight minutes.”

Kire shrugged. “Didn’t hear it.”

Lie number two.

“Really, now?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I didn’t hear it ring.” She said with a fake smile.

Ah! This sneaky bitch.

“You think I’m fucking blind?” Nora’s voice dropped into ice. “I just watched you end the call. With your hand. At the same time, the entire floor heard it ring. And you’re going to stand there and play dumb?” She stepped closer. “You’re starting to piss me off, Kire. And believe me, that won’t end well. Not for you.”

Kire’s smile twitched. “That sounds like a threat,” she replied. “Should I report that to HR?”

“Be my guest,” Nora said coldly. “And while you’re at it, explain why my desk is empty while you’re out here playing gossip queen.”

Kire’s tone changed into a smug sing-song. “Oh, you came in late. I figured you weren’t showing. So, I didn’t bring the files.”

Nora stared at her like she’d just spoken in an alien language.

“Sorry, what now?”

“Well, it’s lunch break so…”

“And you decided to empty my desk because of that?” Nora scoffed loudly cutting her off, “So, that’s your new job title now? Chief of Assumptions?”

“Of course not. And by the way,” Kire added with a bright, poisonous smile, “Mr. Bamford wants to see you. Urgently. Said nothing gets to you until you speak with him.”

There it was, that polite tone that sound like a slap.

Nora’s fists curled at her sides. “He told you, ‘Nothing gets to me?”

“Yes, Ma’am. His words, not mine.”

“Is that so, Kire?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Just doing my job.” 

“Enjoy it while you can. And lose the tone while you’re at it.”

Kire smiled wider. “Apologies. I’m not as quick as I used to be, after all. But thank you for the feedback; I’ll work on it.”

“Right… the old and slow ones are always the first to go.” 

“Excuse me?” Kire stared at her, taken aback.

“We’ll see about that.”

Nora spun on her heel and marched away. Behind her, she heard it—a laugh. 

Kire, laughing at her, like she’d won something.

Her jaw ached from clenching so hard.

Big mistake.

Nora didn’t knock—she kicked open Noah Bamford’s office door like she was breaking down a barricade.

The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

Noah jolted from his chair. “Nora—?” His brows shot up, surprise flashing across his face.

“You want to tell me what the fuck is going on in this office?” she snapped.

Things are about to go bad....