Chapter 11: Amelia Vance Takes Notice

Amelia Vance had been at VaneTech for fourteen years. She had survived three CEOs, two rounds of layoffs, and one sexual harassment scandal that had nearly brought down the entire C-suite. She had learned to trust her instincts, and her instincts were telling her that something strange was happening on the thirty-second floor.

Not bad, necessarily. Just strange.

Elena Rossi was clearly competent—more than competent, brilliant. The Product Division’s numbers had improved in just six weeks, and morale, while still low, was no longer in freefall. But Elena wasn’t just fixing her division. She was building a case against Victor Stern. And she was doing it with information that, as far as Amelia could tell, she shouldn’t have had access to.

That information was coming from somewhere. Or someone.

She decided to attend Elena’s next presentation to the executive committee. Not as a participant—she had no vote on operational matters—but as an observer. She sat in the back of the room, watching, listening, and taking notes.

Elena presented her findings on the Sales division’s rebate anomalies. She was calm, precise, devastating. Stern interrupted her three times, and three times she answered his objections with data that left him sputtering.

When she finished, the room was silent.

“I move that we authorize a full audit of the Sales division’s rebate practices,” Amelia said.

Every head turned.

Stern’s face went pale. “That’s—”

“Procedurally appropriate,” Amelia interrupted. “Given the evidence Ms. Rossi has presented, any responsible board would authorize an audit. Unless, of course, there’s a reason to avoid transparency.”

The silence stretched. Stern looked around the table, searching for allies. But the allies he had counted on were suddenly very interested in their notes.

“All in favor?” the CFO asked.

Amelia raised her hand. One by one, three others followed.

“Motion carries.”

After the meeting, Elena caught up with Amelia in the hallway.

“Thank you,” Elena said. “I didn’t expect your support.”

“You earned it.” Amelia glanced around, making sure they were alone. “But I need to ask you something. Where are you getting your information?”

Elena hesitated. “From my assistant. Jay.”

“Jay.” Amelia nodded slowly. “The assistant that HR didn’t have a file on until three weeks before you started.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that someone is feeding you information they shouldn’t have. And I’m saying that you should be careful who you trust.” Amelia met her eyes. “Not everyone at VaneTech is who they seem to be.”

She walked away, leaving Elena standing alone in the hallway.