Chapter 16: Midpoint: Major Crisis and Frame-Up

The recess lasted one hour.

By the time the board reconvened, Stern had recovered his composure. He denied everything, called the evidence “manufactured,” and demanded an independent investigation.

But the damage was done. The board voted not to terminate Elena. Instead, they authorized a full audit of the Sales division.

Stern left the meeting without speaking to anyone.

Elena returned to her office with Jay close behind. She closed the door.

“Explain,” she said.

“Explain what?”

“How you got that evidence. How you knew about the metadata. How you—” She stopped, her voice shaking. “You’re not an assistant, Jay. You’ve never been an assistant. Who are you?”

Jay took a breath. This was the moment. The moment he had been dreading since the day he walked into her office wearing cheap glasses and a lie.

“I am just a……..”

Elena stared at him.

Julian’s phone rang. He ignored it. It rang again.

“Answer it,” Elena said coldly.

He answered. Marcus Chen’s voice was urgent.

“Julian, there’s been a data breach. Client lists. Financial records. Someone leaked them to the press.”

“What?”

“The leak is being traced to Elena Rossi’s computer. Her login credentials. Her IP address.”

Julian’s blood went cold.

“It’s a frame,” he said. “Stern.”

“The board is meeting right now. They’re calling for her suspension.”

Julian hung up. He looked at Elena, who was watching him with a mixture of anger and fear.

“What?” she said.

“Stern just framed you for a data breach. The board is meeting to suspend you.”

Elena’s face went pale.

Julian thought about his options. He could reveal himself—really reveal himself, with all the power and authority of his position. He could order the board to stand down. He could fire Stern on the spot.

But doing so would mean admitting that he had been lying to everyone, including the board.
“I can try,” he said.

“Try harder.”

She walked out of the office, leaving Julian alone with his guilt and his fear and the terrible situation brought on himself.