The spy who stole my heart

Chapter 5: Great scandal

Laura’s POV

I watched Anderson approach the shelf. He bent down and picked up the book that had fallen to the ground. Looking at the book strangely, he probably was wondering how it fell from the shelf. He stood still for a while and I couldn’t tell but was going on in his mind. Looking at him, I knew he was wondering what to do next. He shoved the book back into the book shelf and walked out of the room afterwards.

I refused to come out of my hiding place immediately for fear that Anderson might change his mind and come back into the study. After waiting for about 5 minutes, I realized he wasn’t coming back so I came out of my hiding place behind the shelf and tiptoes towards the door.

Slowly opening the door, I peeked my head thought the space and looked left and right. When I didn’t see anyone, I came out and ran to my room.

Days passed since that incidence. I kept trying to ask my Dad what he wanted to use the document I sent to him for but he kept me in the dark still. Even though I did not know what he had in mind to do, knowing my father, it was something dangerous. I was scrolling through my phone one fateful day when I saw the new headlines:

“Ocean World CEO, Anderson Smith, in the mud as he is accused of fraud.”

I was dumbfounded when I saw the news but something in me told me that my father was the one who did this. Just as I was about to call him, my phone rang. It was him so I picked the call.

“Hello my lovely daughter,” he said so happily and I had a feeling that my suspicions were about to be proven right.

“Dad, did you do that?” I asked.

“What do you mean, child?” He asked.

I knew he's trying to act ignorant.

“You know exactly what I mean, Dad,” I said.

“If you are talking about the news currently trending concerning the Ocean World company, then yes you are right. I am behind that,” he replied.

I knew it!!! I thought

“What do you do, Father? And don’t tell me that it’s not important because I know what happened has to do with the documents I sent to you,” I said with a firm voice.

“Take a chill pill, daughter. I’m going to tell you what I did,” dad said.

“Remember I told you to snap a document that had Anderson’s signature?” He asked.

“Yes you did,” I replied.

“Good, I got someone to replicate that signature so I could use it to create a scandal. I forged a financial report that falsely shows that Ocean World company is involved in embezzling of funds and hiding of the losses. This fake report had the replicated signature of Anderson. Then I took this report to the press and media anonymously and made it seem like Ocean World company had been engaging in fraudulent activities under Anderson’s regime. Aren’t I, your father, so smart?” Dad said sounding so happy from the other end of the phone.

“How could you be so callous”. I muttered under my breath.

I felt so guilty and angry: guilt because I knew I had a hand in what had happened to Anderson and anger at my father for going through all that just to ruin Anderson’s reputation so he could take over the company.

“I hope you’re happy now, Father. Your plans have finally come to reality. You can now begin to take steps to claiming Ocean World as yours. I guess I’m finally free from your grip,” I said, feeling happy that I would no longer be my father’s puppet in carrying out his dirty jobs.

“Not so fast young lady. I am not done with Anderson Smith yet, which means your work is not done yet,” Dad said, his voice deep and scary.

I was stunned. What the hell was he talking about? That was the agreement. That if I helped him bring Anderson down, he would free me. Was he trying to go back on his words? He had better not, I thought.

“What do you mean, Dad? You’ve accomplished your goal. You promised you would let me free if I bring Anderson down and I did that. You have to keep to your words,” I said.

“Oh child, you’re just too naïve. You do not know the ways of business and that is why you speak like this,” dad said.

Before I could ask what he met, he continued,

“Don’t you know that Anderson is smart man? He is not going to take this lying down. He is going to try to prove that he is innocent and eventually he might, which means all you and I have done would be a waste.”

“What are you getting at father?”

I listened carefully as he told me what he wanted me to do next. My eyes widened in shock as he spoke.

“Dad? That’s too much to do. I don’t think I can do that,” I said.

“Oh child, you speak like you have a choice. Of course, you don’t. You’re deep-necked in this already; you can’t back out now,” Father said.

“And if I do?” I asked feeling confident.

“Then, I will have you exposed,” he said.

“What do you mean by that, Dad?” I asked, my confidence wavering.

“Who sent me the signature that was used to forge the fake report?” He asked.

I can’t believe my own father was threatening me.

“Dad, you would do that to me?” I asked.

“You’re my daughter, my blood. I don’t want to do that to you but if you insist that you’re not going to continue helping me with this mission, then you leave me no choice but to blow your cover.” dad said with the scariest tone of voice I have ever heard.

On that note, the call ended leaving me distraught.

What do I do? I thought.