Chapter 6: Framed
495 Words
The ballroom fell into complete silence.
Dozens of eyes were fixed on Maya.
She could hear the whispers growing louder.
"She's the new assistant."
"I knew something was suspicious."
"Did she steal the documents?"
Maya's hands trembled.
"No," she said firmly. "I didn't steal anything."
The head of security stepped forward.
"Witnesses saw you holding the missing folder."
"I found it on a table in the hallway," Maya explained. "I picked it up because I thought someone had left it behind."
Alexander remained silent.
He wasn't angry.
He was thinking.
"Did anyone else see the folder before you picked it up?" he asked.
Maya took a deep breath.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Vanessa."
The room grew even quieter.
Alexander slowly turned toward Vanessa.
She looked surprised.
"Me?" she asked. "That's ridiculous."
"You were the last person I saw before the folder disappeared," Maya continued. "You took it from me."
Vanessa laughed softly.
"So now you're blaming me because you got caught?"
"I have nothing to hide."
Neither woman looked away.
The tension between them was unmistakable.
---
Alexander raised his hand.
"Enough."
Everyone fell silent.
He looked at the head of security.
"Review every security camera in the hotel."
"Yes, sir."
"No one leaves until we know exactly what happened."
Vanessa's confident smile faded for the first time that evening.
---
An hour later...
The security manager entered the private conference room carrying a laptop.
"We've reviewed the footage."
Alexander folded his arms.
"What did you find?"
The video showed Maya walking into the hallway.
She picked up the folder exactly as she had described.
Moments later...
Vanessa approached her.
The camera clearly captured Vanessa taking the folder from Maya's hands.
Then...
Instead of returning to the ballroom...
Vanessa disappeared into another corridor.
The room went silent.
Alexander looked at Vanessa.
"Would you like to explain this?"
Vanessa's face turned pale.
"I..."
She couldn't find the words.
Before she could answer, another voice interrupted.
"She wasn't acting alone."
Everyone turned.
Damien Cross stood in the doorway.
"I think it's time everyone learned the truth."
Alexander frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Damien stepped inside.
"The missing merger documents weren't the real target."
He looked directly at Maya.
"She was."
Maya felt her heart skip a beat.
"What do you mean?"
Damien sighed.
"Someone wanted to destroy your reputation before you even had the chance to earn Alexander's trust."
Alexander's expression hardened.
"Who?"
Damien looked toward Vanessa.
"Ask her."
Vanessa lowered her head.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I never wanted it to go this far," she whispered.
"But someone offered me something I couldn't refuse."
Alexander took one step forward.
"Who?"
Vanessa slowly looked up.
"The person behind all of this..."
"...is someone inside Stone Global Holdings."
The room fell silent.
No one noticed the figure standing outside the conference room door, listening to every word.
A shadow slipped away into the darkness.
The real mastermind had just realized...
Their secret was beginning to unravel.
To be continued
- Writer
