CHAPTER EIGHT:THE SUBTLE KNIFE 

Two weeks into the job, I knew Adrian's schedule better than he did.

I knew he skipped lunch when quarterly reports were due. I knew he rubbed his left temple when stressed and that he drank exactly three cups of coffee before two PM.

I knew everything.

And I used it.

Wednesday morning started like any other. I arrived at 7:45, made his coffee, organized his desk. By the time Adrian walked off the elevator at eight, everything was perfect.

"Morning, Reina."

"Good morning, Mr. Thorne. Your coffee's ready.

First meeting is at nine."

He took the mug from my desk. "The board meeting is tomorrow did you confirm everyone?"

"Yes. All twelve members confirmed."

"Good." He disappeared into his office.

I waited until his door clicked shut. Then I opened my personal email on my phone. Drafted a message to myself. Deleted it. No digital trail.

The plan had been forming for days. Small. Surgical. The kind of mistake that would create chaos but look completely innocent.

I pulled up Adrian's calendar. Thursday, ten AM. Board meeting. Twelve members. Investors. Major decisions about a merger.

I clicked on the meeting details. Scrolled down to the attendee list.

My finger hovered over the keyboard.

Then I added two names to the 10AM slot: Richard Chen and Michael Strauss. Both major investors. Both scheduled for a meeting at 10 AM in Conference Room B.

Same time. Different rooms. Both expecting Adrian.

I saved the changes. Closed the calendar. Sat back.

My heart pounded but my hands were steady.

It looked like a simple double-booking. An honest mistake any assistant could make.

Except I never made mistakes.

—

 Morning came fast.

I arrived early. Made Adrian's coffee. Set out documents for the board meeting in Conference Room A.

 Then I walked to Conference Room B and did the same thing for the investor meeting.

At 9:45, Adrian emerged from his office. "Ready?"

"Everything's set up in Conference Room A.”

"Good. Let's go."

We walked down the hallway. Board members were already arriving. Handshakes. Small talk. Adrian was confident,commanding and completely in control.

I stood by the door with my tablet. Took notes. Smiled when appropriate.

At 9:58, my phone buzzed.

Patricia: *Richard Chen and Michael Strauss are here. Conference Room B. They're asking for Adrian.*

My stomach dropped. Right on schedule.

I looked at Adrian. He was mid-conversation with the CFO.

I walked over quickly. "Mr. Thorne. Sorry to interrupt."

He turned. "What is it?"

"There's a situation. Richard Chen and Michael Strauss are in Conference Room B. They're expecting you at ten."

His face changed. "What?"

"They said they have a meeting scheduled with you. Ten AM."

"That's impossible. The board meeting is at ten."

I pulled out my tablet. Showed him the calendar. Both meetings. Same time. My face was perfectly concerned. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how this happened."

Adrian stared at the screen. His jaw tightened. "How long have they been waiting?"

"They just arrived."

He looked at the boardroom. Everyone was settling into seats. Waiting for him. Then he looked at me.

"Can you handle Chen and Strauss? Tell them I'll be there in twenty minutes. Offer them coffee.

Keep them comfortable."

"Of course."

"And find out how this happened.”

"I will. I'm so sorry, Mr. Thorne."

He waved me off. "Just handle it."

I walked quickly to Conference Room B. Opened the door.

Richard Chen stood by the window. Tall, silver hair, expensive suit. Michael Strauss sat at the table, checking his phone. Both looked annoyed.

"Gentlemen." I smiled apologetically. "I'm Reina Vale, Mr. Thorne's assistant. I'm so sorry for the confusion."

"Where is he?" Chen's voice was sharp.

"There was a scheduling conflict. Mr. Thorne is in a board meeting that just started. He asked me to apologize and let you know he'll be here in twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes?" Strauss looked up from his phone. "We flew in from San Francisco for this."

"I understand. This is completely my fault. Can I get you both coffee? Water? Anything?"

Chen crossed his arms. "We need to talk to Adrian today. This meeting was confirmed a week ago."

"It was, and I take full responsibility for the mix-up. Mr. Thorne will absolutely meet with you. Twenty minutes. I promise.”

I pulled out my phone. "In fact, let me text him right now to make sure he knows you're waiting."

I typed quickly. Sent the message. Showed them the screen.

Chen's expression softened slightly. "Fine. Twenty minutes."

"Thank you for your patience. Coffee?"

"Black," Chen said.

"Same," Strauss muttered.

I left the room. Walked to the break room. Made two perfect cups of coffee. My hands were shaking now but I forced them still.

When I returned, both men were sitting. I set the coffee down carefully.

"Mr. Thorne will be here soon. Again, I'm so sorry for the inconvenience."

Chen took a sip. "At least the coffee is good."

I smiled. "I'll be right outside if you need anything."

I closed the door and walked back to Conference Room A. Knocked softly.

Patricia opened it. "Everything okay?"

"They're settled. Adrian needs to wrap up here as soon as possible."

She nodded. I stayed by the door.

Inside, Adrian was presenting. Charts on the screen. Numbers. Projections. He looked calm but I could see the tension in his shoulders.

Fifteen minutes passed. Twenty.

Finally, he concluded. "We'll meet again next week to finalize the details. Thank you all for your time."

People stood. Gathered papers. Started leaving.

Adrian walked straight to me. "Are they still waiting?"

"Yes.”

"Let's go."

We walked quickly to Conference Room B. Adrian straightened his tie. Took a breath. Then opened the door.

"Richard. Michael. I'm so sorry to keep you waiting."

Chen stood. "Adrian. Good to see you."

They shook hands. Adrian's smile was easy, charming. No sign of the stress I knew he was feeling.

"Please, sit. Let's talk about the investment."

I started to leave but Adrian turned. "Reina. Stay. Take notes."

I nodded. Sat in the corner with my tablet.

The meeting lasted forty-five minutes. Chen and Strauss asked questions. Adrian answered smoothly. By the end, they were laughing. 

Relaxed.

"We're in," Chen said, standing. "Have your legal team send over the contracts."

"Absolutely. Thank you both for your patience today."

"Your assistant handled it well," Strauss said, nodding at me. "Made us feel taken care of."

"She's excellent," Adrian agreed.

They shook hands. Left.

The door closed.

Adrian turned to me. His expression was unreadable.

"Thank you for managing that. They could have walked.”

"I'm just glad it worked out."

"How did it happen? The double-booking?"

I pulled up the calendar on my tablet. Showed him. "I must have accidentally added them when I was confirming the board meeting. I don't know how I missed it."

He studied the screen. "You've never made a mistake like this before."

My heart stopped. "I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he handed back the tablet. "Everyone makes mistakes. You fixed it. That's what matters."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Just don't let it happen again."

"I won't."

He grabbed his phone from the table. "I need to make some calls. Hold my appointments for the next hour."

"Of course."

He left.

I sat alone in the conference room. My hands were trembling now. I pressed them flat against the table.

It worked.

I created chaos. Fixed it. Made myself look indispensable.

And Adrian never suspected a thing.

I stood. Smoothed my skirt. Walked back to my desk.

My phone buzzed. Marcus.

*How's work?*

I stared at the message. Typed.

*Busy.*

Three dots appeared. *Everything okay?*

*yes.*

I set my phone down. Opened Adrian's calendar.

Tomorrow he had lunch with a potential client. Next week, meetings with three different departments.

So many moving pieces. So many opportunities.

I pulled up my personal notes. Added a line.

*Phase one: Complete. Trust established.*

Adrian's door opened. "Reina. I need the Fujimoto contracts."

"Right away.”

I found the file. Brought it to his office.

He took it without looking up. "Thank you."

I walked back to my desk. Sat down. Answered three emails. Scheduled two meetings.

Normal work. Perfect work.

The knife was in. So small he didn't even feel it.

But it was there.

And next time, I'd push it deeper.