Lies Beneath The Headlines

Chapter Five

Ethan’s POV.

I had arrived at the office early today, and I had meetings piled up for me. I glanced at the enormous clock on the wall and realised that I still had about thirty minutes before the first meeting. I sat on my chair and basked in the silence until my phone rang. I ignored it for the first two times until it rang the third time.

I sighed, I looked at the screen and realised it was Connor calling.

I picked. “Yes.”

He doesn't waste time on greetings. “Sir, there's movement at The Toronto Chronicles.”

As always.

I rub my finger against my temple. “ There always is Connor, care to be specific?”

“Well Sir, NorthStream’s secrets have been brought into the light, it will be everywhere in the paper and the news this morning–”

I cut him short. “Well, it's about time. Those morons could never have kept that company going in the long run.”

“Sir they've also assigned the rookie to Apex’s case officially.”

I sighed. “Why does that not surprise me. That paper won't give up until it ruins my business.”

“I don't think we should underestimate this rookie, sir. She passed her test case which was the NorthStream case in hours, sir” Connor said.

“Tell me you are joking.”

“I wish I were sir, she had less than a day and she delivered” he said.

Now that's interesting. Very interesting.

A quiet laugh escapes me. “So this rookie does have teeth. That's nice.”

“Yes,” Connor replies, voice low. “And something tells me she's not afraid to bite.”

I smile. “Very well then. Keep an eye on her. I want personal details about her as soon as possible. And I hope you’ve cut off all deals with NorthStream.”

“Yes sir.”

“Very well then. That's all for now.”

“Okay, sir.”

The line clicks dead.

I lower myself back into the chair my mind drifting to the rookie’s name. Sophie Tremblay. The name tastes unfamiliar and unthreatening… for now. But I know better than to dismiss anyone too quickly.

I laugh, I was definitely going to have fun with this one, I have broken the toughest people she’ll be no different. Because if there is one thing I've learnt, it's that: the higher they climb, the harder they fall.

And I always, make sure they fall.

I prepare for my first meeting of the day, and I refuse to let this rookie bother me. Until she raises an alarm she's just another name on the long list of people who thought they could play in my league.

Sophie’s POV.

The nameplate on my desk looked strange. Sophie Tremblay– it read.

I had to stop myself from staring at it too long because I was grinning like a fool.

The nameplate was not fancy and neither was my small office or the basic desk and computer but darn it was mine and I didn't need to share with three other staffs. No more shuffling around like an intern.

The Chronicle’s newsroom hummed around me. It wasn't far from my office. Keyboards clacking, phones ringing, a faint scent of burnt coffee. I loved it all, more over I loved the energy that surrounded this place. It had this sense as tho something big was always about to break.

I set my bag on the desk and slid into the chair. It squeaked a little under me. The desk was neat, too neat. I tugged the drawers open and they were all empty and clean. I smiled.

“I can not believe this is really happening,” I whispered under my breath.

I brought out the apex folder from my bag and set it on the desk. I had half the mind to lie my head and nap–I hadn't fully recovered from the all-nighter I pulled in the NorthStream case, but I knew better than to do so.

A soft knock on my door made me jump. The door opened and a lady entered.

“Hello, I’m Rachel, Rachel Bennett.” She said with an overly sweet smile as she stretched out her hand.

I took her hand in mine slowly and smiled back.

“I'm Sophie.”

“Nice to meet you, Markus sent me. He said to let it know that I'd be your editor.”

Wow, I got my own editor? Could this get any better?

“You know rumours say you are pretty but up close you look better.” She said staring at me.

Rumours? I haven't been here for a full day and I was already being talked about. Wonderful.

“Oh thank you. You look pretty too” I say looking at her. It was no lie, her facial features were nice and her red hair looked nice and slick in that bun something that I could probably never accomplish.

“Oh please,” she giggled, “don't flatter me it'll go to my head.”

I smiled faintly.

“Settling in?” She asked.

“I'm trying to,” I reply. “Everything feels so unreal,” I mutter.

“You'll get used to it, don't worry your pretty head.” She glanced at the file on the desk. “Ah I see Markus didn't waste time with you, he put you on Apex immediately. That's nice.”

“You know about them.”

She scoffs. “Who doesn't? The Chronicle’s been on their tail for years now. ”

Her statement made my smile drop. Years?

When she saw the look on my face she softened. “Don’t let it scare you, believe me you have nothing to be scared about.”

“If you say so.”

“Very well then, call me if you need anything, I'll be in the editor's office. Bye for now.”

And with that, she left, her heels clicking against the floor, leaving me staring at the folder on my desk.

I took a deep breath. This was my chance and I couldn't let the rumours flying over the internet scare me before I could prove myself.

I straightened my shoulders and pulled out the first stack of papers closer, I might be sleep deprived, my body running on coffee, my office small but none of that mattered.

I was here and I was ready.