Trouble at Sib Tech
1680 Words
Celine's POV:
I was halfway through a report when a commotion outside my office caught my attention. Peering through the glass walls, I saw Goldie, Reina's assistant, rushing past, her face flushed and papers clutched to her chest.
"Move, Goldie! Now!" Reina's voice echoed down the hallway, making me wince. Whatever was happening, it wasn't good.
Curiosity got the better of me. I slipped out of my office, following Goldie's path to the lobby. There, I saw two people in uniforms - police officers, by the looks of it - waiting patiently by the reception desk.
My heart raced. Police at Sib Tech? This was unprecedented.
I retreated to a quiet corner, pulling out my phone to text Franc. "Police at the office. Do you know what's going on?"
No response. Typical.
Moments later, Reina emerged from the elevator, her face a mask of controlled fury. "Who is asking for an audience with Reina Sibman?" her voice bounced off the glass walls, making several employees flinch.
The officers approached her, introducing themselves as Randall and Lainey. I strained to hear their conversation, catching fragments about "missing funds" and "accounting."
Reina led them to the elevator, disappearing behind its sleek doors. The lobby buzzed with whispers, and I caught snippets of conversation around me.
"...stolen company funds..."
"...the feds are involved..."
"...could bring down Sib Tech..."
My mind reeled. Stolen funds? Was this why Franc had been so distant lately? Why Reina seemed more on edge than usual?
I retreated to my office, trying to focus on work, but my mind kept wandering. Hours passed, and the office remained in a state of barely contained chaos. Goldie scurried back and forth, looking more frazzled with each passing minute.
Late in the afternoon, I noticed a group of men in expensive suits filing into the main conference room. The board members, I realized. This was serious.
I debated calling Franc again but decided against it. He'd tell me if he wanted me to know, I reasoned, ignoring the pang of hurt that accompanied the thought.
As I was packing up to leave, Reina's voice once again echoed through the office. "Am I always the one who has to fix problems in this cursed company?" The board members filed out, looking shaken.
I quickened my pace, not wanting to encounter Reina in her current mood. But as I reached the elevator, I heard her voice behind me.
"Celine," she called, her tone oddly calm. "A word in my office, please."
My stomach dropped. Whatever was happening, I had a feeling I was about to be dragged into it.
Reina's office was immaculate as always, a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. She gestured for me to sit, then poured herself a generous glass of scotch. She didn't offer me one.
"Celine," she began, her voice dangerously soft. "You're a smart woman. I'm sure you've noticed that things have been... tense lately."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
"We find ourselves in a delicate situation," Reina continued. "The company is facing some... allegations. Baseless, of course, but troublesome nonetheless."
She paused, fixing me with a piercing stare. "In times like these, family must stand together. You understand that, don't you?"
I nodded again, a sense of dread building in my chest.
"Good," Reina smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Because we're going to need your help. Your full cooperation, in fact."
As Reina began to outline what she needed from me, I felt the ground shift beneath my feet. This wasn't just about standing by the family. This was something far more sinister.
By the time I left Reina's office, my head was spinning. I drove home in a daze, barely registering the familiar streets.
Teddy greeted me at the door, her smile fading as she took in my expression. "Mom? What's wrong?"
I forced a smile. "Nothing, sweetheart. Just a long day at work."
And I had a sinking feeling that I was being set up to take the fall.
I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong at Sib Tech. The tension in the air was palpable, and whispers followed me wherever I went. It all started when Edmund, my ne'er-do-well brother-in-law, showed up at the office looking more disheveled than usual.
I caught glimpses of him skulking around Reina's office, his usual bravado replaced by nervous fidgeting. It was odd to see him without his trademark smirk, especially when he actually complimented Martha, the office assistant, on her hair and freckles. Edmund never gave compliments unless he wanted something.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself lingering near Reina's office, pretending to be engrossed in some paperwork.
"Edmund Harry Sibman," I heard Reina's steely voice through the door. My ears perked up at the use of his full name - this couldn't be good.
I couldn't make out Edmund's response, but Reina's next words sent a chill down my spine. "What's the problem this time, Edmund?"
Problem? My mind raced. What had Edmund done now?
The conversation became muffled, but I caught fragments: "company accounts," "bad people," "a million." My heart sank. Had Edmund stolen from the company? Is this why there were police at the office earlier?
A loud bang made me jump. "Edmund!" Reina's voice thundered. I scurried away, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping.
For the rest of the day, I tried to focus on my work, but my mind kept wandering. If Edmund had indeed stolen money, why wasn't he being arrested? And why did everyone keep looking at me with a mixture of pity and suspicion?
That evening, I arrived home to find Franc on the phone, his voice hushed and tense. He quickly ended the call when he saw me.
"Who was that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Just Mother," he replied, not meeting my eyes. "Work stuff."
I nodded, unconvinced. "Franc, is everything okay at the company? There were police there today, and Edmund was acting strangely."
Franc's face paled slightly. "Everything's fine, Celine. Just a routine check. Nothing to worry about."
But there was plenty to worry about, and I knew it. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.
The next morning, I woke early, determined to get to the bottom of things. I arrived at the office before most of the staff, hoping to catch Reina alone.
As I approached her office, I heard her on the phone. "Hello, officer. I have your culprit."
My blood ran cold. Culprit? For what?
I knocked on the door, steeling myself. "Reina? Do you have a moment?"
She looked up, her face a mask of calm. "Celine, dear. Come in."
I sat across from her, trying to read her expression. "Reina, I couldn't help but overhear... Is everything alright with the company? I heard about some missing funds..."
Reina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Celine, you're a smart woman. I'm sure you've noticed things have been... tense lately."
I nodded, my throat dry.
"We find ourselves in a delicate situation," she continued. "The company is facing some allegations. Baseless, of course, but troublesome nonetheless."
"Allegations?" I echoed. "About the missing money?"
Reina's gaze sharpened. "You seem to know a lot about this, Celine."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "I... I just heard rumors. Edmund was acting strangely yesterday, and there were police here..."
"Indeed," Reina said, her voice dangerously soft. "And now we need to deal with this situation. As family."
The way she said "family" made me uneasy. "Of course," I said cautiously. "How can I help?"
Reina smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm glad you asked. We may need you to... clarify some things for the investigators."
My heart raced. "Clarify? What things?"
"Oh, just some discrepancies in the accounts. Nothing to worry about, I'm sure. You'll cooperate fully, won't you? For the good of the family?"
I nodded numbly, even as alarm bells rang in my head. Something was very, very wrong.
As I left Reina's office, I caught sight of Edmund slinking towards the elevator. He looked relieved, almost smug. The pieces started to fall into place, and a horrifying realization dawned on me.
I was being set up.
I rushed back to my office, my mind whirling. I needed to think, to plan. If Reina was framing me for Edmund's crime, I needed proof of my innocence.
I booted up my computer, frantically searching through files and emails. There had to be something, anything, that could exonerate me.
A knock on my door made me jump. It was Franc, looking pale and conflicted.
"Celine," he said, his voice strained. "We need to talk."
I steeled myself, ready for whatever bombshell he was about to drop. But nothing could have prepared me for what came next.
"I'm filing for divorce," he said, not meeting my eyes. "Mother thinks it's for the best, given the... circumstances."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Divorce? Circumstances? It was all happening too fast.
"Franc," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What's really going on?"
He hesitated, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the man I fell in love with. But then it was gone, replaced by a cold, distant look.
"I'm sorry, Celine. It's just business."
As he walked away, leaving me shell-shocked in my office, I realized the full extent of the Sibman family's betrayal. They weren't just framing me; they were cutting me out completely.
I sank into my chair, my mind reeling. How had it come to this? And more importantly, what was I going to do now?
One thing was clear: I couldn't trust anyone in this family anymore. If I was going to survive this, I'd have to fight back. And I'd have to do it alone.
The Sibmans had no idea who they were dealing with. I was Celine Warshaw, and I wouldn't go down without a fight.
Let them come. I was ready for war.
- Writer
