Emily looked at him.
"That's not true."
The security officer turned.
"Miss Carter, did you witness the incident?"
"Yes."
"What did you see?"
"I heard shouting. I entered the room and saw Mr. Harrison injured. Mr. Reed had been standing directly in front of him."
Alexander interrupted.
"She didn't see the actual fall."
Emily took a breath.
"I saw you push him."
"You're making a serious accusation."
"I know."
The security officer asked whether the office had surveillance cameras.
Alexander looked toward the ceiling.
"There's no camera inside my office."
Emily shook her head.
"But there is one outside the entrance."
The security officer nodded.
"We'll preserve the footage."
Alexander's expression changed.
"That won't be necessary."
"Company policy requires it."
"I said it isn't necessary!"
The security officer remained professional.
"Sir, please cooperate."
Richard slowly stood.
The nurse supported his arm.
Before leaving, he turned toward Emily.
"Miss Carter."
"Yes, sir?"
"Thank you for telling the truth."
Emily's eyes became wet.
"I'm sorry this happened."
Richard shook his head.
"Never apologize for doing what is right."
He followed the medical team into the hallway.
As they passed the reception area, several employees stopped working.
Some looked concerned.
Others whispered.
Nobody knew exactly what had happened.
But everyone could see the blood on Richard's cheek.
And everyone could see Alexander standing behind them.
For the first time in years, the young executive felt that the building was no longer under his control.
Chapter 7: The Recording
At 10:05, Alexander returned to his office.
He closed the door.
He removed his tie.
Then he sat behind his desk and stared at the city.
His phone began vibrating.
A message from the chief executive officer appeared.
Where is Mr. Harrison? We need the agreement signed before noon.
Alexander typed:
There has been a small misunderstanding. I am handling it.
He deleted the message.
Typed again.
The meeting has been delayed. I will explain shortly.
He sent it.
Then he called his personal lawyer.
"Listen carefully. I need advice."
His lawyer asked what had happened.
Alexander explained the incident, leaving out several important details.
He described Richard as an unreasonable investor who had become aggressive during a disagreement.
Then he mentioned the injury.
There was a long silence.
Finally, the lawyer asked:
"Was there anyone else in the room?"
"Emily."
"Did she see you touch him?"
Alexander looked at the door.
"She claims she did."
"Then you have a problem."
"Can you make sure she understands the consequences of making false accusations?"
"Alexander, don't do anything stupid."
"I'm not doing anything stupid."
"You've already told me you physically pushed a seventy-two-year-old man."
Alexander ended the call.
He stood up and walked toward the glass wall.
Outside, Emily was speaking to a security officer.
She looked serious.
She looked determined.
And Alexander suddenly understood that she was no longer someone he could easily intimidate.
At 10:19, the security director entered.
"Mr. Reed, I need you to come with me."
"Why?"
"We have reviewed the hallway footage."
"And?"
"It shows Mr. Harrison entering your office. It also shows Miss Carter arriving immediately after the incident."
"That proves nothing."
"There's another issue."
The security director placed a tablet on the desk.
"One of the office audio systems was recording the meeting because your team had scheduled a conference call."
Alexander stared at the screen.
He had forgotten about the recording system.
The security director pressed play.
First came Alexander's impatient voice.
Then Richard's calm questions.
Then the argument.
Then the unmistakable sound of the shove.
Finally, Richard's painful reaction.
Alexander's face lost its color.
"Turn that off."
The security director stopped the recording.
"Sir, this incident will be reported to human resources and the board."
Alexander sat down.
"Listen. We can handle this internally."
"We have a responsibility to investigate."
"I can explain."
"You will have an opportunity to provide a statement."
Alexander stared at the tablet.
For the first time, he understood that the truth was no longer something he could control.
Chapter 8: The Name Behind the Company
At 10:42, Richard Harrison sat in a private medical room on the twenty-first floor.
A doctor cleaned the wound on his cheek.
The bleeding had stopped, but a dark red mark remained along his skin.