Stigma

Ethan Sinclair stepped into his office and placed his briefcase on his desk. He removed his jacket and settled into his chair before opening the documents waiting for him. A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Claire entered the office with a newspaper in her hand. "Mr. Sinclair, this just started circulating."

She placed the newspaper on his desk. Ethan glanced at the headline. He had seen enough versions of the same story over the years.

"It started again," Ethan said.

Claire nodded. "The communications team is already handling the calls from the media. They want to know if Sinclair Holdings will be releasing a statement."

Ethan picked up the newspaper, read through the article briefly, and placed it aside. "No statement."

"Understood, Mr. Sinclair." Claire left the office, closing the door quietly behind her.

A few minutes later, another knock sounded at the door. Sebastian stepped into the office. "Good morning, Ethan."

"Good morning, Uncle Sebastian."

Sebastian walked toward the desk and placed a folder in front of him. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything."

Ethan glanced at the documents in front of him. "Nothing I can't put aside."

Sebastian took the seat opposite him.

"I need your approval on the final documents for the community project."

Ethan opened the folder and began reviewing the papers.

"The budget adjustments are included," Sebastian said. "The foundation team has already reviewed the changes."

Ethan turned the page. "I'll sign it today."

"Alright," Sebastian replied.

Ethan continued reading through the documents while Sebastian remained seated. His eyes moved briefly to the newspaper on the corner of the desk. "They started again?" Sebastian asked.

Ethan glanced at the headline. "Yes."

Sebastian picked up the newspaper and scanned the headline before placing it back down. "Then let them."

Ethan said nothing.

Sebastian continued, "You know the truth. The people who matter know the truth."

Ethan returned his attention to the documents. "I know."

"Good," Sebastian said. He stood and moved toward the door. "And Ethan?"

Ethan looked up.

"Don't let it distract you."

"I won't."

Sebastian left the office.

After he left, Ethan continued reviewing the documents in front of him.

The community project was one of several initiatives Sinclair Holdings had supported over the years. Unlike the numbers and reports that usually filled his schedule, projects like this reminded him that the company's work went beyond boardrooms and financial statements.

He finished reviewing the final pages before signing the approval forms. His phone rang shortly after.

"Yes, Claire?"

"The marketing department is ready for the presentation whenever you are," Claire said.

Ethan glanced at the time. "I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Understood."

He ended the call and gathered the documents from his desk.

Before leaving, Ethan placed the newspaper in the drawer and walked out of his office.

The rest of the day passed in the usual rhythm. Meetings followed one after another, reports were reviewed, and decisions that required his attention were brought forward.

Ethan was known for being precise. He rarely made decisions without understanding every detail, and he expected the same level of preparation from the people who worked with him. Some found his standards difficult to meet. Others respected him for having them.

He did not believe in making promises he could not keep, and he did not believe in taking credit for work done by others.

By the time the final meeting ended, most of the employees on the executive floor had already begun leaving for the day. Ethan remained behind to complete the final approvals waiting on his desk.

His assistant had reminded him that he could continue the following morning, but Ethan had simply told her that unfinished work would still be waiting for him tomorrow. He preferred to complete what he started. It was one of the reasons people trusted him. It was also one of the reasons some people struggled to understand him.

Ethan Sinclair rarely spoke about himself. He answered questions when necessary, made decisions when required, and kept most things about his personal life private.

For years, that privacy had created room for people to create their own explanations. Some believed the rumours because they had heard them too many times. Others refused to believe the rumours because their own experiences with Ethan told them otherwise. But after years of speculation, separating fact from rumour had become nearly impossible.

By evening, Ethan had moved through half of his schedule without giving the article another thought. At least, that was what he wanted to believe. Because no matter how many years passed, the accusations always found a way to return.

And every time they did, they reminded him of what he could never forget.

The missing women.