"Yesterday evening, I received an email from someone in the accounting department. They said several financial reports had been altered before being sent to the board."
Victoria's expression became serious.
"Do you have the original reports?"
Emily nodded.
"They sent me copies. I saved everything."
"Where?"
"On the encrypted company drive."
Victoria stood and walked toward the windows.
Outside, the city continued moving beneath the gray sky.
"Emily, I want you to make a separate copy of those files. Do not send them to anyone. Do not discuss them with anyone. And don't access the system from your personal computer."
"Do you think Alexander is involved?"
Victoria did not answer immediately.
"I think we should establish the facts before reaching conclusions."
Emily nodded.
Just then, the office phone rang.
Victoria answered.
"Victoria Hayes."
A male voice responded.
"Come to conference room three. Now."
It was Alexander.
She looked at Emily.
"Did he say why?"
"No."
Victoria replaced the receiver.
"Stay here."
She walked down the corridor.
When she reached conference room three, Alexander was waiting beside the table.
His jacket was off, his tie was loosened, and a glass of water sat untouched near his laptop.
"Close the door," he said.
Victoria did.
"What is this about?"
Alexander gestured toward a chair.
"Sit down."
"I prefer to stand."
He smiled without warmth.
"Always so difficult."
Victoria folded her arms.
"Get to the point."
Alexander opened a folder.
Inside were several documents bearing her name.
"I need your signature."
Victoria glanced at the first page.
"What is this?"
"An authorization allowing me to proceed with the Northbridge acquisition."
"No."
He turned another page.
"You haven't read the entire agreement."
"I don't need to. I already reviewed the transaction."
"Then review it again."
Victoria pushed the folder away.
"My answer is no."
Alexander's smile disappeared.
"You seem to believe you can stop everything I do."
"I can stop a transaction that violates company policy."
"You're not the only person with authority here."
"Then bring the matter before the board."
He leaned forward.
"You're making a serious mistake."
Victoria met his eyes.
"The mistake was believing intimidation would change my decision."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Alexander stood abruptly.
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed to get here."
Victoria remained still.
"You inherited a position. You didn't build one."
The words struck him harder than she intended.
His face tightened.
"Don't talk to me like that."
"Then stop behaving like a spoiled child."
Alexander moved toward her.
The distance between them disappeared.
"Sign the papers."
"No."
His hand struck the table.
The sound echoed through the room.
Victoria did not move.
Alexander's voice rose.
"I said sign them!"
She reached for her folder.
"You're finished here."
But before she could leave, Alexander grabbed her arm.
Victoria pulled away.
In the struggle, a glass fell from the table and shattered against the floor.
One of its sharp fragments caught the side of her cheek.
A thin line of blood appeared beneath her eye.
For a moment, everything became silent.
Victoria touched her cheek.
She looked at the blood on her fingertips.
Then she looked at Alexander.
He seemed surprised by what had happened.
But instead of apologizing, he stepped back and straightened his jacket.
"Maybe now you'll understand that I am serious."
Victoria stared at him.
Her expression was no longer simply disappointed.
It was cold.
"Did you just put your hands on me?"
Alexander swallowed.
"Don't exaggerate."
"Did you?"
He looked toward the door.