GREEN STATUS

PROOF

10:03 PM Elma’s apartment

The laptop screen cast a pale blue light across Elma’s face She hadn’t blinked in minutes The email on the screen didn’t change It couldn’t But part of her kept waiting for it to vanish, for this to be a mistake, for Joseph to somehow be innocent

He wasn’t

The email was timestamped 3 days before her interview Subject Problem Body She’s applying to admin Make sure she never gets past HR If she does, use the harassment policy I’ll handle the rest

It was signed J H

Joseph Hayes

Elma’s hands trembled on the keyboard This was it Proof Not just her word against his Actual evidence that he planned to ruin her before she even walked into Hayes Corp

Nathan stood by the door, arms crossed, watching her He hadn’t said much since he came in Just that quiet, steady presence that made her feel less alone

Is it enough she asked without looking up

Nathan stepped closer and leaned over the laptop Legally He said It’s enough to start an internal investigation To get you reinstated To get Joseph suspended

And to get me fired again if Catherine buries it Elma said

Nathan was quiet for a second Then he said Not if we go higher

Elma looked up at him Higher than Catherine

The board Nathan said My father still chairs it He’s out of the country, but he returns in 48 hours If we have this to him first, Catherine and Joseph can’t stop it

Elma closed the laptop slowly Her mind was racing Risk Reward Exposure If this backfired, she wouldn’t just lose the job She’d lose everything again

You’re risking a lot for me she said quietly Why

Nathan met her eyes Because I know what Joseph is capable of And because you deserve a chance to fight back

Elma nodded once Okay Then let’s do it

---

11:45 PM Destiny’s apartment

Destiny opened the door before Elma knocked twice She took one look at Elma’s face and stepped aside

You found it she said

Elma walked in and set the laptop on the table

I found it Elma said

Destiny read the email twice, then swore under her breath The rat I knew he was dirty, but this This is next level

What do we do now Destiny asked

We wait for Nathan’s father Elma said And we don’t tell anyone Not even Linda If word gets out, they’ll delete everything

Destiny nodded, serious now I’ll guard this laptop like it’s my baby You go home and sleep You look like death

Elma almost laughed I don’t sleep much anymore

Then sleep now Destiny said firmly You’ll need it

Elma hesitated, then nodded She was exhausted The kind of tired that sat in her bones

Before she left, she turned back Destiny, thank you For not asking why I’m worth this

Destiny smiled, soft and fierce Because you’re my friend, Elma And friends don’t let friends get eaten by snakes

Elma left with a lighter chest than she’d had in weeks

---

48 hours later 9 AM Hayes Corp Floor 50

The boardroom on floor 50 was different from the one on floor 25 Bigger Quieter No glass Just dark wood and a long table that felt like it belonged in a courtroom

Elma sat at the far end, hands folded, heart pounding

Across from her sat Nathan’s father, Richard Hayes Silver hair, sharp suit, eyes that missed nothing He’d flown in overnight just for this

Catherine sat to his right Joseph to his left Both of them looked calm Too calm

Nathan sat beside Elma Not as a doctor now, but as a board member’s son and a witness

Richard Hayes cleared his throat

Miss Okonkwo he said You asked for this meeting You said you had evidence against Joseph Hayes

Elma opened the laptop and turned it toward him

This email was sent from Joseph’s company account she said Three days before I was hired It tells Catherine to block me from HR and to use the harassment policy if I got in

Richard read it slowly The room was silent enough to hear the air conditioning

When he finished, he looked up

Joseph he said Care to explain

Joseph leaned back in his chair, smiling like this was all a misunderstanding Father, she forged that She’s been trying to ruin me since I caught her stealing from my office

Elma’s blood boiled That’s a lie

Prove it Joseph said You have no witnesses No chain of custody Anyone could have sent that email

Catherine jumped in Father, even if the email is real, it shows poor judgment, not a crime Miss Okonkwo violated policy by meeting Nathan after hours We suspended her for that

Richard looked at Nathan Son, is this true

Nathan nodded It’s true they met But it was because Joseph threatened her in the garage I have security footage of that too

The room shifted

Richard set the laptop down

This is serious he said If Joseph sent this email, it’s abuse of power If Elma forged it, it’s fraud

He looked at Elma

Miss Okonkwo, do you understand what happens if you’re lying

Elma met his gaze Yes, sir I do

And Joseph Richard said Do you understand what happens if you are

Joseph’s smile faltered for the first time

Richard stood up

Investigation begins now IT will verify the email metadata Security will release the garage footage Miss Okonkwo, your suspension is lifted effective immediately You will return to work tomorrow

Joseph stood up fast Father, you can’t—

I can Richard said, voice cold And I will

Catherine opened her mouth, then closed it

Meeting adjourned Richard said

Elma stood up on legs that felt like jelly She didn’t look at Joseph or Catherine as she walked out She didn’t need to

Nathan caught up with her in the hallway

You did it he said quietly

Elma exhaled for the first time in days

No she said We did it

Nathan smiled, just a small one

Not yet he said But we’re close

---

Back on floor 12, Linda was waiting

She saw Elma walk in without the suspension letter and her eyes lit up

You’re back Linda whispered

Elma nodded

Linda pulled her into a quick hug I told them you didn’t quit

Elma hugged her back, surprised Thanks, Linda

Before Linda could say more, Catherine’s voice cut through the floor

Okonkwo My office Now

Elma let go of Linda and walked over

Catherine’s office was colder than before

You think you won Catherine said as soon as the door closed

Elma stood straight I think the truth won

Catherine stepped closer This isn’t over You’ll make one mistake One slip And I’ll be there to end you

Elma didn’t flinch

Let me give you some advice Catherine said, voice low People like you don’t last in places like this You don’t belong here

Elma met her eyes Maybe not But I’m here now

Catherine’s jaw tightened Get out

Elma walked out and closed the door behind her

Back at desk 47, the flickering light was still flickering But it didn’t feel as dark anymore

She had proof She had backup And for the first time, Joseph and Catherine looked scared

Elma sat down, opened her drawer, and got to work

The war wasn’t over

But now, she was fighting back