Chapter Four – The First Strike
735 Words
Amelia's first week at Carter Holdings passed in a blur of meetings, schedules, and endless cups of coffee.
Every morning she arrived before sunrise.
Every evening she was among the last to leave.
She wasn't trying to impress Daniel.
She was trying to prove to herself more than anyone that she deserved to be there.
Daniel noticed.
He noticed everything.
One Friday evening, he found Amelia alone in the conference room, surrounded by contracts and financial reports.
"You know everyone else went home two hours ago," he said.
She looked up from her laptop and smiled tiredly.
"I lost track of time."
Daniel walked over and glanced at the stack of documents.
"You organized all of these?"
"I couldn't find half of the files. Your filing system is... creative."
He actually laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"I've been told worse."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward anymore.
It had become... comfortable.
"You work too hard," Daniel finally said.
"So do you."
"I own the company."
"And I work for someone who owns the company."
Daniel shook his head with a smile.
"You always have an answer."
She shrugged.
"I studied Mass Communication. Talking is part of the job."
His eyes lingered on her just a little longer than they should have.
"You surprise me every day, Amelia."
Her heartbeat quickened.
Before she could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
Vanessa.
She entered without waiting for permission, dressed in an elegant white pantsuit.
Her smile disappeared the moment she saw Amelia.
"I didn't know you were still here."
"I was just leaving," Amelia replied.
Daniel stopped her.
"No. We still have work to finish."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"You've been spending a lot of time together."
Daniel's expression became unreadable.
"This is my company."
"And she's your employee."
"Exactly."
Vanessa's gaze shifted to Amelia.
"You know, people in this company like to talk."
Amelia remained calm.
"I've learned that people usually talk when they don't know the truth."
Vanessa's smile returned, but it carried no warmth.
"You're smarter than you look."
"I get that a lot."
Daniel couldn't hide his amusement.
Vanessa noticed.
That amused smile the one Daniel hadn't shown her in months was directed at another woman.
Jealousy tightened around her heart.
She turned on her heel and walked away.
But she wasn't leaving.
She was planning.
---
The following Monday, Carter Holdings was in chaos.
Employees whispered in the hallways.
Security officers searched offices.
Someone had leaked confidential information about an upcoming acquisition.
Millions of dollars hung in the balance.
Daniel immediately called an emergency meeting.
"I want every department investigated," he ordered.
"No one leaves this building until we know what happened."
Amelia watched everyone nervously.
She had never seen Daniel like this.
Cold.
Focused.
Unforgiving.
Hours later, the head of security entered Daniel's office.
"We found something."
Daniel looked up.
"What is it?"
"A confidential flash drive."
"Where?"
The answer made Amelia's blood run cold.
"Inside Miss Hart's desk."
Silence filled the room.
Amelia stared at the security officer.
"That's impossible."
The officer placed the flash drive on Daniel's desk.
"It contains copies of the leaked files."
"I've never seen that before," Amelia whispered.
Daniel studied her face.
Every instinct told him she was telling the truth.
But instincts weren't evidence.
Vanessa stood quietly near the door, hiding the satisfaction in her eyes.
Everything was unfolding exactly as she had planned.
Daniel dismissed everyone except Amelia.
When the office was empty, she finally spoke.
"You think I did it."
"No."
"But everyone else does."
"I said no."
She looked into his eyes.
"Then why won't you say it in front of them?"
Daniel hesitated.
Because as CEO, he couldn't ignore evidence.
Even when his heart refused to believe it.
"I have to investigate."
Tears burned behind Amelia's eyes.
"So I'm guilty until proven innocent?"
"No."
"It feels that way."
She picked up her handbag.
"I've spent my whole life trying to earn people's trust."
Her voice cracked.
"I never thought I'd lose yours."
She walked out before he could stop her.
Daniel remained frozen.
For the first time in years, logic and emotion were pulling him in opposite directions.
Outside the office, Vanessa watched Amelia leave with red eyes and trembling hands.
She smiled to herself.
The first move had been made.
Now all she had to do was make sure Amelia never came back.
- Writer
