I nodded solemnly. Something in my calm acceptance made her suspicious.
“This isn’t a negotiation, Leona. You’ve made enemies of people who don’t forget. People with influence across the entire industry.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s reality. Your career ended the moment you decided to go against this team.”
She moved toward the door.
“Though I respect your principles, misguided as they are. Principles aren’t much compared to twelve executives’ unanimous opinion.”
I said. She paused at the doorway.
“Exactly. No one will believe your word against ours.”
After she left, I sat at my desk and opened my drawer. Inside was a small device that had been recording every conversation in my office for the past ten weeks. I slipped it into my pocket just as my phone buzzed with a text from Eliza. We’re ahead of schedule. Four agents arriving now. Meet in lobby in ten. I gathered my personal items, just enough to appear compliant without raising suspicion. As I walked through the department, my team watched with expressions ranging from pity to fear. Some knew what was coming. Others thought they were witnessing my final departure and disgrace. Nadia caught up with me near the elevator.
“They’re saying you tried to blame production for design flaws,”
she whispered.
“Baxter’s already announcing your replacement.”
“Are they now? Interesting timing.”
I pressed the down button.
“What will you do?”
Her voice trembled slightly. The elevator arrived with a soft chime.
“Sometimes,”
I said, stepping inside,
“you have to let people believe they’ve won before they realize they’ve lost.”
The lobby was bustling with afternoon activity when the glass doors swung open. Four individuals in dark suits entered, led by Eliza herself. Her badge was already visible as she approached the security desk.
“Regulatory Enforcement Division,”
she announced, her voice carrying across the marble flooring.
“We have a warrant to access specific company records and conduct interviews.”
The security guard looked panicked, reaching for his phone. Within minutes, the lobby transformed into carefully controlled chaos. Employees stopped to watch. Phones came out. Someone from legal rushed down, demanding to see paperwork. I stood near the reception desk, observing as Eliza handed over documents and explained the situation with clinical precision. Her team dispersed toward the elevators, accompanied by thoroughly unsettled legal representatives. Baxter appeared, red-faced and hissing instructions to a junior attorney who looked increasingly alarmed. When Baxter spotted me, his expression transformed from anger to calculating suspicion. He strode over, positioning himself to block my view of the proceedings.
“I hope you understand what you’ve done,”
he said quietly.
“This little tantrum will destroy more than just your career.”
“That sounds concerning,”
I replied.
“Maybe you should share those thoughts with the agents upstairs.”
