Chapter 10
887 Words
LINES THAT SHOULD NEVER BE CROSSED
Catherine stared at the file on the table—at the photograph of her laughing in Alfred’s arms.
It looked innocent. Joyful. Real.
But in this room, it was being twisted into a weapon.
The HR managers said nothing. Their silence felt like pressure.
The man from the board watched her with calculating patience.
“Catherine,” he said softly, “we aren’t here to punish you. We just need clarity.”
She swallowed. “I… I didn’t know who he was.”
“And we believe you,” he replied. “But this situation is delicate. The board is already in heated discussions. Some believe Mr. Mureithi is compromised. Some believe he’s hiding financial decisions from us.”
Catherine’s pulse quickened.
“What does that have to do with me?” she whispered.
He folded his arms on the table. “Because his mother—Madam Mureithi—submitted the photo.”
Catherine’s breath caught.
Of course.
Of course it was her.
“She claims you are manipulating her son,” he added. “That you are influencing decisions at the top of the company for personal gain.”
Catherine almost laughed. Bitterly.
Manipulating?
She could barely afford rent some months.
But this wasn’t a joke—not to them.
“We’re asking you,” the man continued, “to tell us whether Alfred involved you in any confidential matters, discussed board affairs with you, or made decisions because of you.”
Catherine slowly leaned back in her chair.
She could see the trap clearly.
If she said “yes,” they would use her words to remove Alfred.
If she said “no,” they might say she was lying to protect him.
Either way, she was the outsider in a world built to protect men like Alfred—and destroy women like her.
She took a slow breath.
“What will happen to me if I refuse to answer?”
The HR manager’s polite expression faltered. “Catherine… we need your cooperation.”
“I asked what would happen.”
The board member sighed. “We’d have to suspend you pending an internal investigation.”
Her heart sank.
Suspended.
She needed her job.
But destroying Alfred wasn’t an option either.
The man from the board shifted forward, lowering his voice.
“Look… off the record, I don’t believe you’re a threat. But corporate governance is strict. And Madam Mureithi has influence. If she wants you gone—”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Catherine clenched her hands in her lap.
“I have done nothing wrong,” she said finally. “Nothing unethical. Nothing that violates company policy.”
“Does Mr. Mureithi share confidential information with you?” the man pressed.
She met his eyes.
“No.”
“Has he influenced your job in any way?”
“No.”
“Has he made decisions because of you?”
Her heart twisted painfully.
Memories flashed:
Alfred choosing the small town.
Alfred hiding his identity.
Alfred building a life around her.
But those were personal choices—not business ones.
So she answered:
“No.”
The man exhaled, relieved. “Good. That helps a lot.”
But Catherine raised her chin.
“And I want something documented. Clearly.”
Both HR managers blinked, surprised.
“Go ahead,” one said.
Catherine forced steadiness into her voice.
“That I am being targeted by an executive family member.”
“That I have been harassed outside of work regarding a personal matter.”
“And that I am being questioned because of a conflict initiated by someone in power—not by any misconduct from me.”
The board member blinked.
The HR managers exchanged looks.
Then the older HR manager nodded slowly.
“We… can include a note about your concern in the report.”
“Good,” Catherine said.
Something solidified in her chest—a boundary, a backbone she hadn’t known she needed this badly.
“You can run your investigation,” she added. “But I will not be bullied by anyone—family or board.”
The board member actually smiled, just a little.
“Understood.”
They stood.
The HR manager extended her hand. “Thank you, Catherine. You may return home for the day. We’ll follow up with next steps.”
Catherine shook her hand, collected herself, and walked out.
AS SHE ENTERED THE LIFT
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Alfred.
Alfred:
They moved up the board meeting. I’m in it now. Something feels wrong—really wrong.
If they try to take the company, I’ll fight them. But Catherine… I need to know—are you okay?
Her breath trembled.
Should she answer?
Should she stay away?
Should she warn him?
Before she could decide, another message came through—this one frantic.
Alfred:
Catherine, they’re coming after you. Someone tipped them off that I—
Wait. Something’s happening.
Catherine, don’t go anywhere. Please. Stay safe.
I’ll call you as soon as I can.
The elevator doors closed.
Catherine stared at her reflection in the mirrored walls.
She looked like someone caught between two worlds—neither of which she controlled.
But for the first time since this started…
she wasn’t going to run.
- Writer
