Under New Management

Chapter 19: A Shadow of Doubt

The office was quieter than usual, an unsettling calm that seemed to settle like a fog over everyone's desks. The break-in and data breach had thrown everything into disarray, and while the team tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, there was a palpable undercurrent of anxiety. Security was tighter than ever, with key cards required for nearly every door and guards stationed at the entrances, their presence a constant reminder of how vulnerable they had become.

Mia moved through the day on autopilot, managing her team, adjusting their strategies, and keeping up a brave front. But underneath her calm exterior, she was simmering with unease. The knowledge that their personal information had been accessed—emails, schedules, and security details—felt like an invasion far deeper than any professional setback. It was as though someone had reached into her life, pulling at threads she had thought were safe.

After the initial shock of the news, Mia had met with her team to brief them on the situation. She had reassured them that everything possible was being done to secure their data and that the company was working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement. But no amount of reassurance could erase the sense of violation they all felt, and Mia couldn't help but feel responsible for not seeing the warning signs sooner.

As the day wore on, Mia's focus was pulled in a hundred different directions. Meetings blurred together, and every email felt like another fire to put out. It wasn't until late afternoon, when she finally had a moment to herself, that she felt the full weight of everything crashing down. She sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, the numbers and graphs blurring before her eyes.

A soft knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. Mia looked up to see Jason standing there, his expression unreadable. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him and taking a seat across from her.

"Hey," Jason said quietly, his voice gentle. "I just wanted to check in. How are you holding up?"

Mia forced a smile, though it felt thin and unconvincing. "I'm fine. Just... tired, I guess."

Jason nodded, his gaze lingering on her. "It's been a lot. I know you've been dealing with more than your fair share, and I just wanted to make sure you know that you're not alone in this."

Mia appreciated the sentiment, but the weight of everything felt heavier than ever. "Thanks, Jason. I just—there's so much to manage, and I keep thinking about what else could happen. It's like we're waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Jason leaned forward, his expression serious. "We're going to figure this out. The police are following up on leads, and we've tightened every possible security measure. But I get it—it's hard to feel safe when you've been blindsided."

Mia nodded, grateful for his understanding. She wanted to believe that things would settle down, that they would regain control of the situation, but the gnawing fear in her gut wouldn't let up. "It's just hard not knowing who's behind this. It's like we're fighting a ghost."

Jason hesitated, then leaned back in his chair, a shadow passing over his features. "Mia, there's something I haven't shared with the whole team yet. I didn't want to cause unnecessary panic until we had more information, but... there's a possibility that this isn't just some random attack."

Mia's pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"

Jason took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers. "The security team found something in the breach logs. Whoever accessed the files knew exactly what they were looking for. They targeted specific individuals, specific departments. And one of the primary targets... was you."

Mia's blood ran cold. The room seemed to tilt, and she gripped the edge of her desk, trying to steady herself. "Me? Why?"

Jason's jaw tightened. "I don't know yet. But whoever did this went through a lot of trouble to get into your files. They were looking at your emails, your project notes, even your personal correspondence. This wasn't just about stealing company secrets—it was about you."

Mia felt a rush of emotions—fear, anger, confusion. She had been targeted, singled out in a way that felt deeply personal. It wasn't just her professional life that was under attack; it was her privacy, her sense of safety.

"What the hell do they want?" Mia asked, her voice shaking.

Jason reached across the desk, his hand hovering near hers. "We're going to find out. I've already spoken to the cybersecurity team, and they're doing a deep dive into your account activity to trace the source. But until we know more, I need you to be extra careful. Watch your emails, your phone—anything that seems off, you let me know immediately."

Mia nodded, though her mind was reeling. She felt exposed, like a target had been painted on her back without her even knowing. "I just don't understand why me. I'm not—"

"You're one of the most influential people in this company," Jason said firmly. "Your decisions shape everything we're doing. And that makes you a target. But you're not alone in this, Mia. We're going to find out who's behind it, and we're going to make sure they don't get what they're after."

Mia looked at Jason, seeing the determination in his eyes. He was right there with her, in the trenches, ready to fight for her and the team. It was comforting, but it also scared her, because it meant this was real. It wasn't just about the company anymore—it was personal, and the stakes were higher than ever.

As Jason stood to leave, Mia caught his arm, stopping him. "Jason... thank you. For having my back."

Jason gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Always."

Mia watched him go, the door closing softly behind him. She turned back to her desk, her thoughts swirling with questions she couldn't answer. Who would want to target her? What were they looking for? And how far were they willing to go to get it?

She opened her laptop, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Every email, every file felt like a potential trap, a clue she hadn't yet discovered. She scrolled through her inbox, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing stood out, but that didn't ease the anxiety gnawing at her.

Mia knew she couldn't afford to be complacent. Whoever was behind this had already breached their walls, and if they were willing to go after her, there was no telling what they would do next. She needed to stay one step ahead, to protect herself and her team from whatever was lurking in the shadows.

But as the day dragged on, the questions only multiplied, and the answers remained maddeningly out of reach. Mia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that every move she made was being scrutinized by someone she couldn't see.

And as the office emptied out that evening, leaving Mia alone with her thoughts, she realized that this wasn't just about the project or the company anymore. It was about survival. And whoever was behind this wasn't going to stop until they got what they wanted.

Mia took a deep breath, steeling herself for the fight ahead. She wasn't going to let fear dictate her actions. She wasn't going to back down. Not now, not ever.

Because Mia Bennett wasn't just a target. She was a fighter. And whoever was out there, watching her, was about to find out exactly what she was capable of.