Whispers In The Boardroom

Chapter 30: Boardroom Betrayal

Alexander's day had finally come to an end, but his mind was far from resting. Despite the whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, and the pressure of executing his risky business move, one thought dominated his mind: Emma. The memory of the lunch she had sent him lingered, filling him with warmth. It wasn't just the gesture itself—it was the thoughtfulness behind it that touched him deeply. She didn't work at Kincaid Enterprises anymore, yet she went out of her way to support him. He realized, somewhat painfully, that no one, not even his ex or his own mother, had ever done something so caring for him.

On his drive home, Alexander couldn't help but smile, feeling genuinely happy and loved by his partner. The simple act of Emma ensuring he had something to eat amidst his busy day made him realize how special she was and how much she truly cared for him. When he finally arrived home, Alexander decided to take a hot shower, hoping to wash away the stress of the day. As the warm water cascaded over him, he felt optimistic about the direction of his company and the rekindling of his relationship with Emma.

An Ominous Email

However, Alexander's peace was short-lived. As the night wore on, he received an unexpected email from his personal assistant. The message was concerning—several crucial files, financial statements, and confidential documents were missing. The assistant, alarmed, asked if he had taken them by any chance and emphasized the urgency of their return. The only people who had access to those files were Emma, Alexander, and his assistant. As these thoughts began to cloud Alexander's mind, a gnawing suspicion started to form. Could Emma have taken the documents? The idea was unthinkable, but so was the possibility of such sensitive information being leaked.

Alexander's thoughts spiraled into a storm of doubt and paranoia. He began to wonder if Emma would betray him as payback for the public embarrassment he had caused her in front of reporters and employees at Kincaid Enterprises. His heart sank at the possibility, but he knew he needed to get to the bottom of this. He quickly called his assistant, asking her to check who was the last person to access the office system. To his dismay, she reported that it seemed like no one had logged in. Growing more concerned, Alexander instructed her to contact Gustavos, a notorious hacker they had previously dealt with. Though Gustavos had once stolen $6 million from Alexander, he agreed not to report him to the authorities on the condition that he would help Alexander whenever needed.

The assistant agreed and informed Alexander that Gustavos would be available the next day. Alexander, now filled with anxiety and determination, knew that he needed answers—fast.

The Confrontation

The next day, Alexander was on edge, determined to find out how the documents had gone missing and who could possibly have them. As he sat in his office, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him. Finally, he decided to call Emma. The conversation began civilly, but quickly took a turn as Alexander's suspicions seeped into his tone.

"Emma, have you seen the papers we went through the other day? Some files have gone missing, and you're one of the few people who had access to them," Alexander asked, trying to keep his voice steady but failing to hide the underlying accusation.

Emma, caught off guard, responded with confusion and frustration. "Are you seriously accusing me of taking those documents? After everything we've been through, and after I went out of my way to support you, this is how you repay me?"

Alexander, now feeling a mix of guilt and paranoia, pressed on. "I just need to know, Emma. We both know how sensitive those documents are, and the only people who had them were you, me, and my assistant."

Emma's anger flared. "Alexander, I don't even work at your company anymore! How could I possibly take your papers? And what exactly do you think I'd do with them? If I wanted to ruin you, don't you think I would've done that after you humiliated me in front of the entire country?"

As the argument escalated, Emma's voice trembled with hurt and rage. "Maybe we shouldn't have gotten back together. Maybe it was better that we kept our distance. You reach out to me for help, and now you're blaming me for your company's problems? This is exactly why I didn't want to get involved again!"

With those words, Emma abruptly ended the call, leaving Alexander stunned and filled with a deep sense of guilt. He realized how much the pressure from Mandese Enterprises had clouded his judgment, leading him to suspect the very person who had been there for him. Just as he was about to call her back to apologize, his assistant walked in with Gustavos, holding a file of evidence that revealed the true culprit.

The Real Betrayal

Alexander's heart pounded as he scanned through the documents. The evidence was clear—Nathen from the Accounting department had been the one to leak the confidential information. Nathen, a trusted employee whom Alexander had personally helped get a job, had betrayed him. The shock hit Alexander like a freight train, and the guilt of accusing Emma weighed heavily on his conscience.

Nathen was called into the boardroom, where Alexander confronted him. At first, Nathen denied any wrongdoing, but when presented with the irrefutable evidence, he crumbled. Nathen admitted that he had been offered a substantial sum of money by Mandese Enterprises in exchange for the sensitive information. In his desperation, he agreed, thinking he could get away with it.

Rage surged through Alexander as he listened to Nathen's confession. Without hesitation, he fired Nathen on the spot and immediately ordered all passwords to be changed to secure the company's information. The betrayal stung deeply, not just because it endangered his company, but because it had driven a wedge between him and Emma.

An Apology Too Late

As the day came to a close, Alexander's thoughts were consumed with regret. He drove to Emma's apartment, determined to apologize and make things right. As soon as he saw her approaching the building, he rushed out of his car, calling her name.

"Emma, wait! Please, let me explain," Alexander pleaded as she walked briskly toward the entrance.

Emma stopped but didn't turn around. "What is there to explain, Alexander? You've already made it clear what you think of me."

Alexander hurried to her side, his voice earnest and desperate. "I was wrong, Emma. I should've asked you instead of accusing you. I've been on edge because of everything that's been happening with Mandese Enterprises. Someone I trusted betrayed me, and I let my fear get the best of me. But I know now that I was wrong, and I'm sorry. Please, just let me make it right."

Emma turned to face him, her expression a mix of anger and sorrow. "Alexander, I understand you're under a lot of pressure, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like this. I care about you, but I also need to protect myself. I can't keep getting hurt like this."

Alexander felt the weight of her words, realizing how close he had come to losing her. "I promise, Emma, I'll never doubt you again. I just...I don't want to lose you."

Emma sighed, her resolve softening slightly. "I forgive you, but I need space. I've had a long day too, and I can't deal with this right now. My life doesn't revolve around you, Alexander."

With that, she turned and walked into her apartment building, leaving Alexander standing there, a mixture of relief and regret swirling in his chest. He knew he had narrowly avoided a disaster, but the damage had been done. As he stood there, he vowed to himself that he would never let his fears jeopardize what he had with Emma again. But for now, he had to give her the space she needed and hope that, in time, she would let him back in.