Chapter 34 – The Reckoning Begins

The following Monday brought with it a crisp bite in the Seoul air, as though the city itself sensed something was about to shift. Evelyn stood in front of the mirror that morning, tying her silk scarf with deliberate care. Today wasn't about style. It was about armor.

She arrived at the office ten minutes early, just as usual, but something in her gaze was sharper, more resolute. Hana was already waiting by her desk with two coffees in hand.

"Black, no sugar. Figured you might need it," Hana said.

Evelyn took the cup gratefully, their eyes meeting in quiet understanding.

"Any word from Noah?" she asked.

"He pulled the full metadata from the access logs. The same ID was used across multiple edits, all tied to the misreported campaign budget. It's airtight."

Evelyn exhaled slowly. "Then let's get to work."

At the top floor, Alexander reviewed the evidence himself before the leadership briefing. Noah stood across from his desk, arms folded.

"We can confront them directly, but Evelyn doesn't want you to intervene yet. She's adamant," Noah said, shaking his head.

"She doesn't want to be rescued," Alexander replied, a trace of admiration in his voice. "She wants to win on her own."

He looked out over the Seoul skyline, then turned back to Noah. "Make sure she has every tool she needs. Quietly. I'll be at the board meeting this afternoon."

Noah nodded once. "And Hana?"

"Keep her close to Evelyn. She's proven herself."

Genevieve had no idea the noose was already tightening.

She breezed into the marketing floor with confidence, draped in a pale gray coat that hugged her frame like a second skin. Her heels clicked across the tile like a metronome.

"Morning, darling," she chirped to Hana, who returned a deadpan smile.

"Morning," Hana replied, tapping away on her tablet.

Genevieve entered her office, set down her Birkin bag, and powered on her computer. It took only a few moments before she noticed something was wrong.

Her access to financial systems had been revoked.

Brows furrowed, she tried another program. Then another.

Nothing.

She picked up the phone and dialed IT, irritation rising.

"Yes, hello? This is Genevieve Moreau. I seem to have an issue with my system access..."

The voice on the other end hesitated. "Yes, ma'am. That change was authorized by Executive Office. You'll need to speak with Mr. Drake's assistant."

Genevieve's blood ran cold.

At noon, Evelyn entered the executive conference room with Hana by her side and a sleek portfolio in hand. A few department heads looked up with passive curiosity. Genevieve was already there, seated beside Claudia, both offering identical tight-lipped smiles.

Claudia's voice was silk as she began. "We've called this meeting to address recent discrepancies in Marketing's financial reports. We believe a full review is warranted."

Evelyn didn't flinch. Instead, she opened her portfolio and passed a copy of the audit to each executive present.

"I agree. Which is why I've already conducted one," she said, voice even. "This audit cross-references system logins, timestamped edits, and version histories."

Claudia blinked. Genevieve stiffened.

Evelyn continued, her voice calm but razor-sharp. "Multiple financial records were falsified using access credentials assigned to Ms. Moreau."

Genevieve opened her mouth, but Evelyn held up a hand.

"I haven't made accusations yet. This document lays out the facts. Any further investigation can proceed through official channels."

Alexander entered just as she spoke, walking in with the quiet dominance that always commanded attention. He didn't sit.

He simply said, "I've reviewed the same report. I stand behind Evelyn Hart's leadership and the integrity of her department. Moving forward, security protocols will be updated, and oversight procedures revised. We will not tolerate internal sabotage at any level."

The room went still.

Claudia looked toward Genevieve, but her expression had hardened.

Evelyn, still standing, closed her folder.

"That's all I have. Thank you for your time."

And with that, she left the room.

Back in her office, Evelyn dropped into her chair, her breath shallow. Hana placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You did it."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Not yet. But we're getting close."

Across the hall, Genevieve sat frozen at her desk, staring at her darkened screen. For the first time since arriving in Seoul, she had no words.

And that terrified her.