Chapter Four
1309 Words
Ethan’s POV.
I’m tired and irritated. The type of irritation that
didn't come from one thing but from everything– the endless chatter of voices that thought they were clever and mistook my silence for approval.
The boardroom was deadbeat silent except for the constant hum of the projector. Charts, numbers, projections– all spread out across the screen orderly.
“Quarter four exceeded projections by three-point-six per cent,” one of the financial officers droned, “mostly driven by Apex’s expansion into Ontario’s energy corridor. NorthStream Energy’s merger with our subsidiary will push next year’s numbers even higher.”
My eyes were fixed on the chart as I tapped a finger against the table. “NorthStream's stock hasn't stabilised yet. They are bleeding lawsuits.”
The officer hesitated. “Yes, but with Apex’s resources, they’ll–”
“With Apex’s name attached,” I cut in my voice smooth and sharp, “we inherit their problems along with their assets.” I look over at NorthStream's representatives as I say my next words. “And from the looks of it, the rots are overpowering the assets.” I return my gaze to the chart, “If there is a scandal waiting to break, I want to be informed before it reaches the press.”
A nervous shuffle went around the table.
My head of security Connor, leaned forward. “Our people are already monitoring. There are whispers but nothing solid yet.”
Yet.
I looked at him. “Then make it solid. I don't care what you have to do, I want all loose ends tied.”
Connor nodded once. I looked around the table. “Anything else?” I asked.
“No sir.” A few people muttered.
I got up and left immediately heading to my office. Connor followed suit, I heard his footsteps.
“What is it?”
“Update on a new journalist sir.”
“Which paper?”
“The Toronto Chronicles sir.”
I rounded my desk and sat down. “Name?”
“Sophie Tremblay.”
I leaned back in my chair, eyes scanning the skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
I leaned back slowly “And?”
“They’ve put her on the Apex case.”
“She’s new and they are putting her on the Apex case, that's stupid.” I laughed.
Connor didn't smile. “I don't think we should underestimate her sir, I did some personal research she's quiet… impressive.”
“Huh.” I tapped my foot against the floor, thinking. Many reporters have tried digging into Apex before but they all failed– that's because money and power made problems disappear.
After Connor left the office became silent, but my mind wasn't.
I poured myself a drink and went through files of associates, making my mind up on who and who not to cut off. Most of these companies are nothing but stress and bad luck.
Hours later and my ringtone broke the silence in the room. My screen lit up, it was Connor calling.
“Yes,” I answered
“It's just been confirmed that the Northstream payoff trail leads to the ministry.”
I smirked. “I knew it. And you said I was just paranoid.”
“My apologies sir.”
“None needed. I always say these politicians are cheaper than pipelines, handle it okay, I want no leaks.”
He wasn't with me but I know he'd be nodding as he spoke. “Yes sir,” he replied.
I set the phone down and leaned back letting my drink burn its way down.
My mind suddenly drifted to the new rookie of The Chronicles. Connor spoke of her as determined but we all know determination falls as money rises.
These journalist loved to think of themselves as hunters– searchers of the truth and revealers to the light, in my eyes they were nothing more than toys I couldn't wait to play with.
Everyone knew I was a master at this truth-revealing game, I've been playing it for more than a decade now. I myself had become the game, every paper was obsessed with me especially The Chronicles, they've been in my tail for the past three years managing to catch people associated with me in their trap but never me.
I prided myself on the fact that I was just too smart or maybe it's luck. Either way, I was never going to lose, I never did and this rookie wasn't going to change that.
Sophie’s POV.
I hadn’t slept a wink last night– unless you counted the few minutes I dozed off with my face in a stack of files– and my shirt was wrinkled from pulling an all-nighter in it.
I rushed to get ready and head straight to the Chronicle’s building.
The elevator doors on the top floor opened and my heart sank. I was so late.
Markus' secretary gave me a once-over as I passed her desk, eyebrows lifting for a reason I couldn't care to know. I ignored her and pushed open the office door.
Markus didn't look up when I walked in, he was at his desk flipping through papers his usual unreadable expression on his face.
“You’re late.” He said flatly.
“Yes sir, I know I’m sorry.”
Silence.
Okay rephrase. “I was making sure I didn't bring you half a story, sir. Trust me when I say you'd want the whole story, sir.”
This time he looked up and if I dare say, he had an Impressed look on his face. “Go on.”
I set the folder I had compiled together on his desk my hand tight on the edges. “NorthStream isn't just drowning in lawsuits their money trail leads straight to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Land permits rushed through, bribes disguised as consultation fees, and a government signature tying it all together.”
I blurted and blurted as Markus just stared at me. When I was done he didn't say a word to me. The silence was worse than yelling.
Why was he so quiet?
When he finally spoke his voice was calm. “Be careful Tremblay, stories like this don't just ruin companies they ruin people.”
I swallowed hard but held his stare. “Well it's worth the risk of running if it means the truth is revealed don’t you think?”
This time he smiled.”I must say, Sophie, I had expected you to fail.”
He reached for a file on his left and handed it over to me.
The file wasn't what I had expected and its content made me furious.
The file contained everything I had dug out on NorthStream last night, all the information I had suffered to get sitting pretty on his desk already.
I huffed. “I don't understand if you knew it all already then why have me stress out for it. And in a short span of time.”
“Well, I did say that was your test didn't I? This was brought in by another journalist, and it took him two days to dig. You my dear, did your digging in hours and came up with the result. That's the fire I'm looking for.” He smiled. “I officially welcome you to The Toronto Chronicles, Miss Sophie Tremblay.”
Wow.
“So this means I passed the test and get to start working for real?”
Markus smirked. “Yes.”
A smile was already forming on my face until he stopped it cold.
“Don't get too excited now, that was child’s play,” he said. “Now for the real work.” He slid a thicker file my way.
I froze. The tab on the file reads in bold letters: APEX GLOBAL INDUSTRIES.
- Writer
