The Meeting
681 Words
Adrian's POV
Nicholas entered my office with a serious expression and placed a tablet on my desk.
"Boss, I just checked the market, and Eagles Corporation has released their third product this month." He paused.
I arched a brow. "They did?"
"But, Boss..." Nicholas hesitated before continuing. "The third product is the exact jewelry piece Keena designed three months ago. The one we finalized to release next year."
My expression hardened. I snatched the tablet from my desk and stared at the image. There was no mistake. It was the exact design I had approved three months ago. "How the f**k is that possible?" I barked, slamming my hand against the desk.
My jaw clenched as the glaringly obvious explanation settled in my mind. A mole.
My eyes met Nicholas's.
"There's a mole in the company," Nicholas said grimly. "I've already submitted the report to the legal team. They've begun their investigation."
I nodded, running a hand through my hair. This was bad. Very bad.
That particular product was one of our premium packages. If released next year as planned, it could have generated billions for the company.
Someone had just stolen it from under my nose. "Call for an internal heads meeting." My voice was dangerously calm. "Whoever that mole is, I'll make sure to weed them out."
Nicholas nodded and immediately left.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the tablet. Someone inside my company had betrayed me. I hated betrayal.
And whoever had done this was about to learn exactly how much. I entered the conference room and immediately noticed that everyone was already seated.
My eyes swept across the room.
Then I saw her. Ariana. She stood a few steps away from the table, exactly where she usually stood during meetings as my secretary.
My gaze lingered on her for a moment before moving across the department heads. They all looked nervous. Good.
They should be.
I walked to my seat and sat down.
Nicholas took it as his cue to begin.
"We're gathered here to discuss the jewelry piece that was finalized three months ago."
He pressed a button. The large screen behind him displayed our confidential design alongside the listing recently released by Eagles Corporation.
A murmur went through the room.
"Care to explain how a piece that was exclusive to the heads of departments reached another company?" Nicholas demanded.
His gaze landed on Director Claire.
"How many of you were given access to the confidential unit, Director Claire?"
I watched her stiffen.
"I assigned Anna's team to it," she finally said. "And I appointed Ariana to assist them."
My eyes moved across everyone involved before settling on Ariana. She froze.
For a moment, our eyes met. Something about her expression made me pause.
Then I leaned forward. "Whoever released this information is in this room."
Silence descended. I let it linger. "Now listen to me carefully." My voice dropped.
"Surrender now, while only one product has been released." I paused, allowing my gaze to travel across every face. "I'll try to overlook it."
A few people exchanged nervous glances.
"But if you don't come forward and I have to weed you out myself..." I leaned back.
"I'll make sure you rot in prison."
The room went deathly silent. "And trust me," I added coldly, "that will be the least of your punishments." I stood. No one dared speak.
I turned and stormed out of the conference room, leaving a storm of murmurs behind me.
Whoever had done this might not know me very well.
They had just made one very serious mistake. Because I was a petty man.
And when someone betrayed me, I never forgot. Never.
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