Lena's morning began with a sense of unease. She had spent much of the previous night mulling over Ethan's warning about becoming a target. It was a stark reminder that her job wasn't just about schedules and presentations anymore it was about navigating the undercurrents of power, secrets, and danger.
Her resolve to stay remained firm, but a part of her wondered: Why did I get involved? Why did I save him that day?
When she arrived at the office, Mira greeted her with a folder. "Grayson asked me to give this to you. He wants a summary before his noon meeting."
"Of course," Lena replied, glancing at the folder. The label read Internal Compliance Report. The title alone made her stomach churn.
"You'll want to be thorough," Mira added, her tone oddly serious. "This one's sensitive."
Inside her office, Lena flipped through the report, her eyes scanning rows of data and legal jargon. It detailed irregularities in one of Grayson Corp's subsidiary projects—a construction deal that had gone over budget by millions with little explanation.
She frowned, piecing together the implications. Either someone was siphoning funds, or the company was hemorrhaging money due to mismanagement. Both scenarios spelled trouble.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Ethan stepped in, his expression sharp.
"Have you started on the report?" he asked without preamble.
"Yes," Lena said. "It looks like there's a significant issue with the construction accounts. Are you suspecting fraud?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's what I need you to help me determine. The subsidiary, Argus Developments, has been under scrutiny for months. If there's internal sabotage, I need to know before the board catches wind."
Lena hesitated. "Do you think this could be connected to the hit-and-run? Or the documents you received?"
Ethan scrutinized her for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing (slightly). "That's what we need to ascertain: however, don't leap to conclusions just yet. Just concentrate on the data."
The hours ticked away as Lena immersed herself deeper into the report. She cross-referenced (invoices, contracts and budgets), searching for discrepancies. The work was meticulous; however, her increasing familiarity with Grayson Corp's operations made it more manageable.
By mid-afternoon, she had found a pattern. Several payments had been authorized to shell companies—businesses that existed on paper but had no real operations. The names on the accounts were vague, and the transactions had been signed off by an executive she hadn't met: Damien Lowell.
The name sent a jolt through her. She remembered overhearing Mira and another assistant mention him once in hushed tones. "Lowell's a ghost," Mira had said. "He shows up when there's trouble—and trouble always follows him."
Lena gathered her findings and made her way to Ethan's office.
Ethan was on the phone when she arrived, his tone curt."I am indifferent to excuses; instead, I expect a solution. Fix it (or else) I will seek someone capable of doing so."
He ended the call and gestured for her to sit. "What did you find?"
Lena laid out her notes. "There's a clear pattern of payments to shell companies. They're small enough to avoid triggering immediate suspicion, but together they amount to millions. All of them were approved by Damien Lowell."
Ethan's expression darkened at the name. "Lowell."
"You know him?" Lena asked cautiously.
"He's one of the senior executives," Ethan said, his voice tight. "He oversees several projects, including Argus Developments. But he's also... slippery. He keeps a low profile and knows how to cover his tracks."
"Do you think he's behind this?"
"I don't jump to conclusions without evidence," Ethan replied. "But if Lowell's involved, it complicates things. He has allies on the board."
Lena leaned forward, lowering her voice. "What's our next step?"
Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'll confront Lowell, but discreetly. Meanwhile, I need you to prepare a contingency plan. If this leaks, we'll need a strategy to mitigate the damage."
That evening, as Lena worked late in her office, a knock startled her.
"Come in," she called, expecting Mira or Ethan.
Instead, a man she didn't recognize stepped inside. He stood tall and impeccably attired, boasting sharp features and piercing blue eyes. "Ms. Mitchell," he said smoothly (with a hint of confidence). "We haven't met; however, I've heard much about you." I'm Damien Lowell."
Lena's breath caught. His presence exuded confidence—bordering on intimidation.
"Mr. Lowell," she remarked, (straining to maintain) a courteous smile. "What can I assist you with?"
"I comprehend that you've been examining Argus Developments' accounts," he responded, his tone seemingly casual, however, there was an underlying tension."I thought I'd offer my assistance. Those numbers can be... complex."
Lena met his gaze (her instincts on high alert). "Thank you, but I've got this under control."
Lowell's smile didn't waver; however, he added, "I'm sure you do. Still, if you need clarification on anything don't hesitate to reach out."Transparency is important, after all."
"Of course," Lena replied evenly.
Lowell lingered for a moment longer, as if studying her, before turning to leave. "Good night, Ms. Mitchell."
As the door (slowly) closed behind him, Lena exhaled a shaky breath; there was no doubt in her mind—Damien Lowell was indeed hiding something. However, she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. This nagging feeling persisted, lingering in her thoughts because it felt significant. Although she had tried to dismiss it, the weight of uncertainty pressed on her.
Later that night, Ethan called her into his office again.
"I heard Lowell paid you a visit," he said, his tone unreadable.
Lena nodded. "He said he wanted to help with the accounts, but it felt more like a warning."
Ethan's expression hardened. "Lowell doesn't make casual visits. He knows we're onto him."
"What should we do?" Lena asked.
Ethan's gaze was steely. "We keep digging. If Lowell's guilty, we'll find the proof. And when we do, he'll wish he'd never crossed me."
The intensity in his voice sent a shiver down Lena's spine. She had observed Ethan's charisma and intellect; however, this was an entirely different aspect—an unyielding resolve that afforded no space for compassion.
As Lena exited his office, she couldn't
dispel the sensation that she was perched on the brink of something much larger than she had foreseen.