CHAPTER 005
1153 Words
I muttered to myself, "This is going to be good," as I watched the CCTV feed from the corner of Liesl's office.
We had been looking forward to this day for ages.
Liesl. The twins. Me. EverEverything had been meticulously planned. And Herr Kramer had no way out this time. We eHe had the security team with us. was joking; he didn't realize they all reported to her.
I left the office as if it were any other Tuesday. informal. Be calm. Not a hair out of place.
"Good morning to all of you!" I yelled as I strode into the boardroom. I .poke loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear. I shI cleared my throat and added, "I apologize for being late." "I wouldn't even be aware that there was a meeting today if I hadn't dropped by my boss's office." I "alked over to Kramer. "Yes, Herr Kramer?"
He twitched his face. I nearly laughed at that. When I used that tone, he hated it. It signaled the arrival of the storm.
"And what precisely is the goal of this meeting?" I stared down at him while folding my arms.
I could see the shake in his fingers as he cleared his throat, as if he was trying to sound professional. "We were talking about... replacing the Geschäftsführerin to help the company grow faster."
I almost rolled my eyes. This guy has nerve.
"Really?" I c****d my head. "And why?"
"She... she never appears." She doesn't go to meetings. The majority of us have never even met her. He made an effort to sound composed, but it didn't work.
I laughed a little, dryly. “Herr Kramer, you should be careful what you say. She's always watching, even when she's not there. Always pay attention. She is aware of everything, including the things you have been whispering to our partners.
He became pale. similar to a fish exposed to the sun.
I replied, "So yeah, maybe back that up." "Because she is aware of everything. And guess what?" I walked over to the door. "She's going to enter through that door."
He parted his lips, but nothing emerged.
The room fell silent.
"Anyway, it would be impolite to go on without her," I continued. "Please welcome Hartmann Gruppe's CEO and sole proprietor, Frau Annika Hartmann."
Just as expected, the door creaked open.
As if she had been born for this, Liesl entered. I'm proud. Be calm. Zero hesitation.
She didn't even blink.
"I am the owner and CEO of this company, Herr Kramer, and I am really disappointed in you," she said, her voice piercing the room like a blade. Hartmann, Liesl.
She gave me a direct look.
"Fraud Becker, get the files."
"Yes, ma'am."
I moved as quickly as we had practiced. took out the folder. distributed the documents. visited the projector. The switch was flipped.
"Please listen carefully, everyone," Liesl said. "Greta, get the presentation going."
I pressed the play button.
Boom. Everything was thrown into the room: the numbers, the secret accounts, and the phony alliances. It was impossible to ignore the images. breakdowns with color coding. names, receipts.
A pin drop could be heard.
Someone whispered, "I didn't realize it was this bad."
"All along, he has been defrauding us."
Someone tried to lighten the mood in the back. He muttered, "I guess I chose the wrong week to give up coffee."
Nobody chuckled.
A slow clap began as Liesl finished. Then It gets louder. Then there was clapping from everyone. I evand applauded her. She didn't grin. Simply nodded slightly and bided your time until it subsided.
She had succeeded.
People had been running their mouths for months. claiIt was likely that Liesl was an elderly woman, imprisoned in a shadowy room.imed that she must be unattractive and too ashamed to reveal her identity.
I always attended events instead because of this. The same inquiries each time.
"Why does she never appear?"
"Is she real at all?"
Every time, I said the same thing to them.
"She will arrive when she is prepared."
They thought I was just covering for her. However, it went beyond mere rumors. A few businesses sent spies. Others attempted to hack her files.
That made me always laugh. Please hack her.
She was superior to them. Instead, she obtained their secrets, including petty affairs, offshore accounts, and fake degrees. Occasionally, she disclosed just enough information to cause them to disappear on their own.
After crossing her, a few businesses closed overnight.
People eventually stopped battling her. Instead, they began pleading for meetings. All the obnoxious people who used to make fun of her? They were now vying for a place at her table.
And they had the opportunity to meet her today.
Liesl approached Kramer directly and set one paper down in front of him.
"Do you have anything to say?"
He stumbled. "This is a misunderstanding."
"Is it?" She arched an eyebrow. Then describe the fraudulent invoices.e Hidden accounts. The travel reimbursements you never took.”
"I didn't—"
"You did. I have evidence.
There was a thick silence.
He started to speak again, but Liesl interrupted. "You attempted to evict me from my own business. You didn't succeed. You're finished here. Outside, security is waiting.
He didn't even dispute it. He simply got up, picked up his coat, and walked out like a phantom.
“That ended quicker than I thought,” someone whispered.
I was powerless to stop myself. I leI leaned toward the board member sitting next to me and asked, "I assume he is no longer casting a ballot?" assume he is no longer casting a ballot?"
In fact, they chuckled.
Liesl wasn't finished, though. She immediately got back to work, laying out our updated partnerships, reorganized leadership plan, and new system overhaul. She talked calmly, clearly, and fearlessly.
"Any questions?" she inquired.
Hands sprang up.
"You've been following this for how long?"
"What sort of collaborations are coming up next?"
"Will you physically attend any upcoming meetings?"
She responded to each one. No sugarcoating. Directly to the point.
With genuine curiosity, the oldest board member leaned forward.
“Liesl… why now? Why come today after all these years?
She hesitated. For a moment only.
"Because it's time," she added.
That was it. Not much more.
But for some reason, everyone in the room knew exactly what she meant.
Even after the meeting ended, people lingered. As if they had something else to say. Or inquire. Or simply observe her.
I walked with her as we went.
"Not too bad, is it?" I gave her a gentle shoulder bump.
"Not bad," she remarked.
"Do you think he'll try to flee?"
She remarked, "He can run." "He simply won't go very far."
I chuckled.
After that, we resumed our work.
Now that the shadows were gone, there was much to do.
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- Writer
