Nora stepped back in fear but Ethan kept approaching her menacingly. When her back hit the wall, something switched in her. Then she stood her ground.
"Mr. Black, I understand your anger, but I assure you, I had nothing to do with this leak." Her voice came out steadier than she expected.
A dry chuckle escaped his lips.
"Is that so?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.
Nora released a frustrated sigh.
"The only message I sent today was to my best friend during lunch break. And all I said was 'This job is worse than I imagined." She confessed.
"And you expect me to believe that?" He scoffed, narrowing his eyes dangerously.
"I can show you the text right now!" Nora said, reaching for her phone.
"Mr. Black, I made a conscious decision to work for you. Whatever your methods are, I accepted them when I signed that contract. I would never betray that agreement. I'm a woman of integrity." She added.
Ethan studied her face intently, his expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, he let out an amused chuckle.
"The man who has been radiating murderous intent just moments ago is now... laughing?" Nora blinked in confusion.
"What are you doing, Mr Black?" She asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"This is exactly why I hired you." He said, gesturing between them.
"What... what are you talking about?" Nora was still confused.
"I knew you didn't leak the information, Miss Hayes. I merely wanted to test your reaction. Your ability to handle pressure, your composure in the heat of the moment, your resilience – you've proven me right once again." He revealed with a satisfied smirk on his lips.
Nora released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"This was all a test? So, are you satisfied now?" She scoffed.
"Quite." His eyes sparkled with amusement.
She glared at him for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.
"Do you know who actually did it?" She asked him.
The playfulness vanished from his expression, replaced by cold calculation.
"I have my suspicions. But I need concrete evidence before I make my move." He paused.
"It was one of Mr. George's subordinates. And you are going to help me prove it." He announced.
"Me? Was that in my job description too?" Nora widened her eyes in surprise.
"I decide what your job description entails, Miss Hayes." Ethan countered, with a tone of finality.
Nora gritted her teeth but resigned to her fate.
"And how exactly am I supposed to accomplish that?" She questioned.
"Don't worry. I will tell you exactly what to do." He said calmly.
Nora furrowed her eyebrows, watching him warily.
"Here is the plan - I will give you a recording pen. You will meet them separately." Ethan began.
"Pretend you are working against me. Show sympathy for their cause. Put out the idea of bringing Black Industries down. You have a way with words, use it and get them to talk on what they have been up to." He said.
"What? You want me to be a spy?" Nora was bewildered.
"I want you to expose a traitor. Or you would prefer they bring this company down? Where you make money?" He asked her, a smirk playing on his lips at the last part.
Nora sighed defeatedly.
"When do you need this done by?" She asked lowly.
"Tomorrow." He replied.
"What? That is impossible!" Nora gasped.
"Nothing is impossible, Miss Hayes. Unless you would prefer I handle this... my way?" The threat in his voice made her swallow hard.
"No, I... I will figure something out." She agreed.
"Good. Meet the first one for lunch. The second for dinner." He instructed.
"How am I supposed to convince them to meet me? They barely know me." Nora pointed out.
"Already taken care of. I have had Mrs. Thompson arrange everything. She will give you the details." He announced and Nora scoffed in disbelief.
"He always have a plan!" She thought in respect and he smirked as if he knew what she was thinking.
"Here is the pen. Don't disappoint me." He said as he handed her a pen he took out of his drawer.
Nora's eyes held questions as she collected the pen.
"Start with sympathy. Tell them you saw how Mr. George was treated. Express your... disappointment in my methods." Ethan told her as if he knew what her unasked question was.
"Won't they be suspicious?" Nora asked.
"They are desperate men, Miss Hayes. Desperate men make stupid decisions. They will fall for it. Just remember to seem... vulnerable. Men like them can't resist a damsel in distress." He told her.
"Is that how you see me? A damsel in distress?" Nora pressed her lips into a thin line.
"Of course not. You are much more dangerous than that." He said with a knowing smirk. Nora's eyes widened in protest.
"I am not dangerous!"
"Take it however you want. Just get me what I need by tomorrow evening. You are making me talk too much." He said dismissively.
"Huh! But what if I fail?" Nora blurted out.
"Don't." He said sharply and Nora gulped.
"Now go see Mrs. Thompson for the details." He dismissed her.
As Nora walked out, heading to Mrs. Thompson's desk, her stomach churned with anxiety.
"Here is your schedule for tomorrow, Miss Hayes. Both meetings are confirmed." The older woman handed her a paper, along with a file, before Nora could say a word.
She took the papers with slightly shaking hands.
As she settled at her desk to review the files, a yellowed folder caught her eye.
The label made her heart sank:
"Project oversight: Lawrence and Stella Hayes - Confidential, 1998."
"Those are my parents' names..." Her hands trembled as she reached for it.
But before she could open it, Mrs. Thompson appeared suddenly at her desk, snatching the file with surprising speed.
"Oh dear, my mistake." The older woman's usually stern face showed a flash of panic.
"Wrong files. These are from the archives." She added and hurried away, leaving Nora feeling lost.
"What was that? There couldn't be another Lawrence and Stella Hayes, could they?" Nora thought, feeling alarmed.