Behind closed doors

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Victor Harrison’s private office felt like a different world. The heavy oak desk, the deep leather chairs, and the panoramic view of the city made it clear this was where real power lived. He sat behind the desk like he owned every inch of the building because in many ways, he still did.

Sophia sat across from him, legs crossed elegantly, her posture perfect. She had come the moment he called.

Victor didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Have you handled Evelyn?”

Sophia met his gaze steadily. “I called her earlier today. I advised her to back out of the Global Dynamics contract. I told her it would be smarter for everyone if she stepped aside quietly.”

Victor leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. “And what did she say?”

“She refused,” Sophia replied, a small smile playing on her lips. “She was very certain. She said she’s not backing out and she’s ready for anything that comes that she doesn't care and knows no one is going to talk her out of this, not even Adrian although she believes Adrian is behind all the sabotage. She thinks he’s trying to destroy her even after the divorce.

Victor nodded slowly, a flicker of approval in his expression. “Good. Let her keep believing that. It keeps her distracted and emotional. Makes her easier to manage,and make sure Adrian never finds out she works at silverline 

Sophia relaxed a little in her chair. “Exactly. But we have to be careful Evelyn is becoming a bigger problem than I expected. Honestly Evelyn is really putting her all for this contract Silverline is gaining real traction. They’re not the dying startup everyone assumed they were. If they win this contract, it will be humiliating for Harrison Group.”

Victor tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking. The silence stretched for a moment before he spoke again.

“Then we need to plan something more decisive,” he said. “Evelyn cannot be allowed to keep rising. She knows too much about how we operate. She could become dangerous if she keeps succeeding and I want her to stop succeeding.

Sophia leaned in, her voice lowering. “I agree. We have to make sure she fails publicly and completely. I have a few ideas. We can leak more information, pressure more investors, maybe even

The door to the office opened without a knock.

Adrian stepped in.

He stopped just inside the doorway, his eyes moving from his father to Sophia. The tension in the room shifted instantly, thick and heavy.

“Father,” Adrian said, his voice controlled but edged with surprise. “I didn’t know you were still here. Is everything alright?”

Victor leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “We were just discussing the Global Dynamics contract. Sophia was giving me an update.”

Adrian’s gaze shifted to Sophia. She met his eyes with a calm, almost innocent smile, as if they had only been talking about numbers and timelines.

Adrian stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. The air felt heavier now, filled with things left unsaid.

“What exactly were you discussing?” he asked, his tone careful but firm.

Victor’s eyes stayed locked on his son, cold and assessing. The silence s

tretched, waiting.