Passion and Payback

asia'

lake, I hadn't expected him to take wh

noticing Secretary Kim's peculiar facial expression, got the impression that she was concerned. '

ve it a fake smile. It: ''Just a rough n

be waiting to talk to you as soon as you get here

ight 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

ad of compliance, walks in "

et back from his trip?" I ask, tr

ng," Secretary Kim

ute," I say to Tyler,

ring at the right moment, ready to catch anyone deviating from any process he meticulously created. He avoids unnecessary conversation and expects a certain

ture. 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

ts, the clean lines of the black tailored suit em

und my shoulders. The atmosphere prevails with tension that can be felt, a

ne, the room's brightness contrasts with the unsettling calm. He gazes into my eyes and for a brief second, I am defen

I keep my composure, despite the metallic weight

s voice cold and controlled, "there have been

e eerie silence that permeates the air. Antonio exudes power with his fitted black

egins, but Antonio abruptly st

ough his usually controlled demeanor. "We had a contract pending with the American investors. They i

carefully, measuring every step. "Wh

ons. "Selene, the head of operations, me,

an authoritative and command

, his gaze narrowing.

ht of his scrutiny. "She too

ns, a dangerous edge creeping into

ard, swallowing nervously. "It wa

ash with anger. "

mers, unsure if h

the world. Send a message and tell her to report back to the office

is unquestionable, and his demand is a clear display of his power. There is no room

"I assure you, we'll get to the b

d you, Anastasia. I trusted you to manage this, and now we're on

wn on me, heavier than ever. Tyler finishes typing

s, and Tyler does s

rself?" Antonio's words hang in

the audit findings closely. The discrepancies are significant, and it appears that someone tampered with

nio's eyes narrow as he waits for the

my composure. "Mr. Pierce, I had no involvement in this.

idence points to you. You had access to the records, and the discrepancies alig

t I've been set up dawns on me with a chilling clarity. Selene's absence, the timing of

say, my voice shaking. "I don't know who or why,

icker of doubt. "Prove it. Find out who is behind this, an

oud. Tyler and I exchange a glance, and I can see the worry in his

around my neck. The hallway outside seems dim and suffocating compared to the bright, oppres

is out, Anastasia," h

with the audit records and work our way through every detail. Someone

ut determined. "And what abo

sence is suspicious, but we can't jump to co

ge over us. The next few days will be crucial, and we can't afford any mistakes. As we w

im down. I ca