The Saboteur
303 Words
The next morning, Ariana arrived at Sterling Group as usual.
As she reached her desk, everyone became strangely quiet.
She noticed people looking at her and whispering.
Her coworker Emma walked over.
"Ariana... someone sent anonymous emails saying you stole the project."
Ariana was shocked.
"That's impossible. I created every part of it myself."
Just then, Adrian called her into his office.
"I've seen the emails," he said calmly.
"Do you believe them?" Ariana asked.
Adrian looked her in the eyes.
"No. I trust you."
His words gave Ariana the strength she needed.
"I'll find out who's behind this," Adrian promised.
Later that afternoon, the IT department finished tracing the anonymous emails.
They all came from one computer.
The owner was Melissa, a senior employee.
Adrian called Melissa into his office.
"Why did you do it?" he asked.
Melissa lowered her head.
"I worked here for years. Then Ariana arrived, and everyone started praising her. I was jealous."
"Jealousy is never an excuse to destroy someone's reputation," Adrian replied.
Melissa apologized, but it was too late.
She was dismissed from the company.
Meanwhile, Ethan sat alone in his house.
The silence reminded him of everything he had lost.
He looked at an old photo of himself and Ariana.
"I wish I had listened to you," he whispered.
He knew he couldn't change the past, but he wanted to become a better person.
That evening, Ariana thanked Adrian.
"Thank you for believing in me."
Adrian smiled.
"Trust is earned, Ariana. You've earned mine."
For the first time in a long while, Ariana felt safe.
As they walked out of the office together, neither of them noticed a black car parked across the street.
The mysterious stranger watched them and smiled.
"They're getting closer," the stranger said.
"But the biggest secret hasn't been revealed yet."
- Writer
