로그인Grandmother looked at me as though she was about to disown me. "Aleksander.""I already said no, Grandma." I sighed “Grandmother, this isn't your responsibility."She leaned back on the sofa inside my office and folded her arms. “It became my responsibility the moment you refused to do the right thing.""We've discussed this." There was no reason for her to risk her health and show up at my office."No. You've avoided this. They're different things."Hale wisely remained near the door, pretending to be fascinated by the paintings on my office wall. And by even when I shot him a look, he immediately looked away.Traitor.Grandmother wasn’t done. "You accused an innocent girl.""I acted on evidence.""You acted on assumptions.""I acted as a CEO.""You forgot to act as a human being." I inhaled slowly. "I've already withdrawn the legal proceedings.""That isn't enough.""I gave her leave.""That isn't enough either.""What else do you want me to do?"She smiled. “The obvious thing. A
The conference room was silent. Everyone had finished presenting their reports, yet somehow the silence irritated me more than the presentations themselves.I had never realized how loud incompetence could be.I closed the last file and looked around the table.“So…” I leaned back in my chair. “Does anyone here actually read these before submitting them?”No one answered.The Head of Finance adjusted his tie. The HR director lowered her head. Someone coughed.I tossed the report onto the table. “It says here the recruitment figures increased by fifteen percent.”I looked directly at HR. “Where are the supporting documents?”She opened her mouth. “Mr. Vilmorre, we were still…”“I didn’t ask what you were still doing.” I interrupted coldly. “I asked where the documents are.”She swallowed. “We haven’t completed them.”“Then why is the report on my table?” I picked up another file. “This proposal.” I flipped through a few pages. “The formatting is inconsistent. The projections contradict
Since I didn’t get some sleep, I had just finished reviewing another financial report when my phone vibrated. Without much interest, I reached for it.One new message. No words.Just…’a love emoticon’I frowned.From Elise?I stared at the heart for a few seconds before placing my phone back on the table.After sneaking into my room. After taking something from my drawer without asking. After betraying Vilmorre Enterprise. She thought one stupid heart would make me forget everything?I leaned back on the sofa and closed my eyes. It was not even that I had trusted the wrong woman. It was that I had underestimated her. I had spent days wondering how someone could smile in my face while selling information behind my back.Now she wanted to pretend none of it had happened.Ridiculous.I picked up my phone again. My thumb hovered over the keyboard. Then I locked it without replying. There was nothing left to say.Not anymore.After completing my review and I laid in bed trying to find done
The cemetery was quieter than I expected. I mean… what was I expecting? I had never been here before… I just knew it was considered serene and peaceful The wind carried the scent of freshly cut grass through rows upon rows of marble headstones. Lance parked the car and turned off the engine."You okay?" he asked softly.I nodded. “think so."He reached into the back seat and picked up the bouquet we'd bought on the way.White lilies. The florist had told us they symbolized peace. I hoped they did. Because, I came here in peace. Wanting to apologize for not coming in time for her burial. And for not visiting her as often as I should. We climbed out of the car together and walked toward the entrance. An elderly attendant greeted Lance almost immediately."Mr. Albert." Lance smiled politely. “It's been a while.""It has."The old man looked at me before smiling kindly."You must be his young lady."I offered a respectful nod. "Pleasant afternoon sir”He returned the greeting before moti
The office looked different when you knew you weren't coming back tomorrow.Or maybe...I was the one who had changed.The desk that had once been buried with reports, schedules, and endless files now sat almost empty. Only my coffee mug remained.I picked up the mug first. “Corporate Strategic Coordinator." Mr. Hale had given it to me on the day of my promotion. “You're going to need a bigger mug for all the overtime."I smiled despite myself. Then the smile disappeared as I packed the last of my belongings into a cardboard box and glanced around the secretary office one final time.Of course, other colleagues are watching. Some were feeling sorry, others had the craziest assumptions.Some didn’t believe I was given a leave. They thought I was guilty and asked to leave silently.For months, this place had become my entire life. Every morning began here. Every late night ended here. Every argument. Every victory. Every impossible deadline.Every encounter with Mr. Vilmorre.It had all
I stood outside Mr. Vilmorre's office for almost a full minute. My hand hovered over the wooden door.Knock. Don't knock. Walk away. Come back later.I took a deep breath and knocked twice."Come in." His voice was as calm as ever.I pushed the door open.He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held a cup of coffee. Morning sunlight poured over his shoulders, showcasing his tall figure.He didn't turn around immediately. Neither did I speak. The silence stretched. It wasn't awkward. Our silence was barely awkward. It just held so many things in the air that it shouldn’t.Eventually, he faced me."What do you want, this time?”I swallowed."I...I wanted to thank you."His brows drew together slightly. "For what?""The restaurant."His expression barely changed."You didn't have to step in.""I know.""I still wanted to thank you."He placed his coffee on the desk. “You were meeting Andrew, who is also a beneficiary of this scam.”
Elise’s smile dropped for a second when I finished my sentence. We were seated inside my office after work hours. Most employees had already left."Why all of a sudden?" Her eyes blinked several times. "You said it was not the time to meet her. You said it would take a long while before you decide
The door to my office opened without a knock. Only one person in the company was annoying enough to do that.Hale. He entered carrying coffee and entirely too much enthusiasm this afternoon. "I heard. But I want to know if it's true." I didn't bother looking up from the report in my hands. Hale
The next morning, all employees were summoned for a meeting…which was definitely unplanned because it was not on my schedule for the day. I sat beside Mr. Hale, arranging documents and preparing to write the minute while executives trickled into their seats.Their laptops opening, their coffee cups
“Klaire?” Immediately the elevator stopped, Elise’s voice resounded through the quiet hallway. My eyes widened. But before I could react, Mr. Vilmorre moved.Very fast.One second I was standing in the hallway, The next I was pulled into a corner beside the office wall. My back hit the surface soft







