The conference room felt smaller than usual. The files still lay open on the table, every number, every note, every misplaced comment glaring up at me like accusations.
I ran my fingers over the papers, slow and deliberate, absorbing every detail. Someone had planned this. Every "mistake" was intentional. Every missing file, every miscommunication—it was too perfect to be random.
I glanced at my team. Faces pale, eyes darting. I didn't need words. I could feel the tension radiating from them, the guilt or fear or… both.
"Listen carefully," I said, voice low but commanding. "I need full transparency. Every step you took on Project X yesterday. Every file you touched. Every email you sent. Nothing is irrelevant."
They nodded quickly. Murmurs of compliance spread. One by one, they started recounting their actions, trying to piece together the chaos.
But I knew it wouldn't be enough. Not yet.
A knock on the door made everyone freeze.
I looked up. It was Adam. Calm. Observant. Always quietly in the right place at the right time.
"You okay?" he asked softly, standing just inside the door.
"I will be," I said, tone clipped but not unfriendly. "I'm investigating."
He nodded. "Do you want help?"
I considered it. He wasn't part of the company officially, but his insight had saved me more than once. "Yes. But discreetly. I don't want anyone panicking."
He agreed, stepping closer. I handed him the first folder. "Go through this. Check emails, timestamps, everything. Tell me if something looks… out of place."
As Adam worked quietly, my eyes scanned the office again. Every glance, every hesitation, every nervous glance from my employees became a clue. Someone was hiding something.
Then my phone buzzed. Another urgent email from the client. They demanded to speak with me immediately. I inhaled slowly. Calm. Focus. Control.
I opened the email and froze.
Not only was the project at risk, but a major investor had sent a note: "We are watching closely. Ensure your team is competent. Mistakes will not be tolerated."
Pressure mounted in my chest. My fingers gripped the edge of the desk. This was bigger than I thought. Someone wasn't just testing me—they were threatening the very foundation of the company.
Adam glanced up, reading my expression. "I've found something," he said quietly.
I leaned in. "What?"
He pointed to a series of emails buried deep in the system. "See this? They were deleted, then re-uploaded. Someone's trying to make it look like you're behind it—or that your team is incompetent. Look at the timestamps… they all happened while you were away yesterday."
My stomach dropped. It wasn't random. It wasn't just an employee mistake. Someone had planned this sabotage while I was out of the office, while my back was literally turned.
"Who?" I whispered, almost to myself.
Adam shook his head. "I don't know yet. But whoever it is… they're bold. Too bold."
I clenched my fists. Calm. Focus. Control. I would find them.
Then the door opened again. This time, it wasn't Adam.
It was the man from yesterday—the one who had shown up with the folder.
His eyes flicked to Adam, then to me. "Looking for someone?" he asked casually, but there was a dangerous edge to his tone.
I stood slowly, hands on the desk. "What do you want?"
He smiled faintly, walking closer. "Just checking progress. Curious how you handle pressure. Curious how far you'll go to find out who's behind this."
I swallowed. Calm. Focus. Control. "I handle it by finding the truth. Not by guessing."
He nodded slowly, almost approvingly. "Good. But remember—someone is already watching. And not all eyes are friendly. One wrong move, and this chaos could destroy more than just Project X."
My chest tightened. This wasn't just sabotage anymore. This was a game of power.
I looked at Adam. He gave a subtle nod. We both knew it: the next move was mine—but it would be dangerous.
The man's gaze lingered on me one last time. "Enjoy the investigation," he said softly. Then he left, the door clicking shut behind him.
I exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the folder.
Someone had crossed a line.
And I was about to make them pay for it.