Anastasia’s POV
It’s been a month since I heard from Blake, I hadn’t expected him to take what I said so seriously, but I was wrong.
At the office, there was a certain uneasiness. I marched straight into the room and, immediately noticing Secretary Kim’s peculiar facial expression, got the impression that she was concerned. ‘Are you alright, ma’am? You look so disturbed,’ The man asked me, offering me a rather warm smile.
“I am alright,” I responded, though I gave it a fake smile. It: ”Just a rough night” Did not get a hold of Mr. Harris?
“He called and wanted to let you know that he’ll be waiting to talk to you as soon as you get here,” she added, passing me a thick hitch of papers.
“Thanks, Soyeon”, I responded, taking the papers, and heading to my office. I had to know how exactly to prepare myself to face what Harris had to say. That previous night incident was still echoing in my head although I had to suppress whatever thoughts that were running through my mind. It was a bit too complex and I had too much to lose and anything that could deter me from my goal had to go. I had responsibilities at work and I was not going to let things at work and home remain as they were.
“Mrs Sinclair” Tyler, the head of compliance, walks in “Mr Pierce has sent for us,”
I take a deep sigh “When did he get back from his trip?” I ask, trying to hide the panic in my voice.
“Yesterday’s evening,” Secretary Kim replies promptly.
“Alright give me a minute,” I say to Tyler, trying to get organized.
Antonio Pierce is a man known for his commanding and authoritative presence. He is the epitome of control and precision in the office. He is known for appearing at the right moment, ready to catch anyone deviating from any process he meticulously created. He avoids unnecessary conversation and expects a certain level of efficiency from every staff of the Hartford Group of companies. When Anotonio Mr Pierce calls for a meeting, it is known to be a no-frills affair.
The door closes quietly behind me as I step into the expansive office. the smell that engulfs my nostrils is that of polished wood and new furniture. Tyler follows next, his face reveals clearly how tense the room is. . Mr. Pierce is situated at the opposite corner of the room facing the windows which stretches from the floor almost to the ceiling. The tall buildings acting as the skyline of the city are depicted in natural light.
His stance is imposing, hands tucked in his pockets, the clean lines of the black tailored suit emphasizing his status against the city’s background.
My pulse quickens the responsibility feels now like a metallic weight around my shoulders. The atmosphere prevails with tension that can be felt, a prickling at the back of the neck, a racing heart, and wet, slippery palms.
The CEO slowly rotates and moves around, being very careful and calculating in his actions. When his eyes lock onto mine, the room’s brightness contrasts with the unsettling calm. He gazes into my eyes and for a brief second, I am defenseless before him. The tension creeps in, no one speaks and this time I try to speak, but my voice quivers with anxiety.
Tyler clears his throat nervously beside me, but I keep my composure, despite the metallic weight of responsibility pressing down on my shoulders.
“Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Tyler,” Antonio begins, his voice cold and controlled, “there have been some disturbing findings in our recent audit.”
My heart beats quickly. The brightness of the space stands in stark contrast to the eerie silence that permeates the air. Antonio exudes power with his fitted black suit and powerful presence. He advances a step, and I sense the tension building.
“Mr. Pierce, we have-” Tyler begins, but Antonio abruptly stops him with a wave of his hand.
“Do you have any idea what this means?” Antonio’s voice rises slightly, a hint of anger breaking through his usually controlled demeanor. “We had a contract pending with the American investors. They insisted on a clean audit before signing, and now I find out there are discrepancies in our records?”
His eyes never leave mine as he paces carefully, measuring every step. “Who is in possession of these records?”
My thoughts are racing with the ramifications. “Selene, the head of operations, me, the CFO, and you, sir,” I reply cautiously.
“Where is Selene?” He asks in an authoritative and commanding manner. “she’s on leave.”
Antonio stops abruptly, his gaze narrowing. “Leave? For how long?”
I hesitate, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “She took a two-week vacation, sir.”
“A vacation?” Antonio’s tone sharpens, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. “And who approved this?”
I glance at Tyler, who steps forward, swallowing nervously. “It was pre-approved by HR, Mr. Pierce,”
Antonio’s eyes flash with anger. “Get her back. Now.”
“Sir?” Tyler stammers, unsure if he heard correctly.
“You heard me,” Antonio snaps. “I don’t care if she’s halfway around the world. Send a message and tell her to report back to the office immediately. We need answers, and I want her here to provide them.”
I can feel the tension in the room intensify. Antonio’s authority over the company is unquestionable, and his demand is a clear display of his power. There is no room for argument or delay. Tyler nods, pulling out his phone to send the urgent message.
“Mr. Pierce,” I begin carefully, “I assure you, we’ll get to the bottom of this. Tyler and I will-”
“Enough,” Antonio interrupts, his voice cold and final. “I trusted you, Anastasia. I trusted you to manage this, and now we’re on the brink of losing a major deal because of these discrepancies.”
I feel the weight of his disappointment pressing down on me, heavier than ever. Tyler finishes typing the message and shows it to Antonio, who nods curtly.
“Send it,” he orders, and Tyler does so without hesitation.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” Antonio’s words hang in the air, heavy with expectation.
Before I can respond, Tyler speaks up, his voice tinged with urgency. “Mr. Pierce, we’ve been reviewing the audit findings closely. The discrepancies are significant, and it appears that someone tampered with the records during your absence. We believe that these actions were deliberate and meant to point to…”
Tyler hesitates, glancing at me. Antonio’s eyes narrow as he waits for the explanation. “Point to Mrs. Sinclair.”
The air leaves my lungs in a rush. I struggle to maintain my composure. “Mr. Pierce, I had no involvement in this. I have been following the company’s protocols diligently.”
Antonio’s gaze hardens, and he steps closer. “Then explain to me why all the evidence points to you. You had access to the records, and the discrepancies align with your recent activities. The trail leads straight to your desk, Anastasia.”
I open my mouth to defend myself, but the words catch in my throat. The realization that I’ve been set up dawns on me with a chilling clarity. Selene’s absence, the timing of the discrepancies, the evidence pointing to me-it all fits together in a twisted puzzle.
“Mr. Pierce, someone is framing me,” I manage to say, my voice shaking. “I don’t know who or why, but I swear I am not responsible for this fraud.”
Antonio’s face remains impassive, but his eyes betray a flicker of doubt. “Prove it. Find out who is behind this, and do it quickly. Our reputation and this deal depend on it.”w
I nod, the gravity of the situation settling over me like a dark cloud. Tyler and I exchange a glance, and I can see the worry in his eyes. We both know what’s at stake here, and we can’t afford to fail.
As we leave Mr. Pierce’s office, the weight of his expectations feels like a noose tightening around my neck. The hallway outside seems dim and suffocating compared to the bright, oppressive atmosphere of Antonio’s office. Tyler falls into step beside me, his face pale and tense.
“We need to figure this out, Anastasia,” he says quietly. “Fast.”
I nod, my mind already racing through the possibilities. “We’ll start with the audit records and work our way through every detail. Someone must have tampered with the files, and we need to find out who and why.”
Tyler’s expression is grim but determined. “And what about Selene? Do you think she-”
I cut him off, shaking my head. “Selene’s absence is suspicious, but we can’t jump to conclusions. We need evidence, not speculation.”
Tyler nods, and we head toward the compliance office, the weight of our task looming large over us. The next few days will be crucial, and we can’t afford any mistakes. As we walk, my thoughts drift back to Antonio’s words and the fierce determination in his eyes.
I won’t let him down. I can’t afford to.