mer heat outside. The polished glass walls reflected the faces of the family members gathered around t
ooked no dissent. The flickering fluorescent lights above seemed muted in comparison to the storm brewing beneath his comp
hrough the murmurings of shock that rippled across the room. "Funds have gone missing, and your signature ap
es-some wide-eyed with disbelief, others filled with thinly veiled contempt. She knew their loy
ve the cacophony like a lifeboat in a storm. "This accusation
limmer of betrayal hung in the air, and Aria felt the ground shifting beneath
d a piercing gaze at Aria. "You have consistently put your ambitions over the family's v
l. How could they think so poorly of her? She had dedicated her life to this compa
e was an unreadable mask, the warm brown eyes that used to comfort her now revealing little more than curiosity. A part of he
ffocating despair. She would not let them tear her down without a fight. "You must see that someone has set me up
interjected coldly, her voice laced with disappointment. Aria's heart sank further
ecame almost unbearable, but no one moved to comfort her. Inst
t to close in. Desperation clawed at her. "This isn't just about me; it's about ge
apart. She could almost hear her heartbeat drumming in her
arold commanded, hi
er like a heavy shroud, smothering the air from her lungs. But she refused to let it crush her spirit. With a sudden surge of defiance, Aria squa
Aria scanned the faces around her, looking for a hint of solidarity, but instead found apprehension. Julian's
atrics," Julian finally said, his tone laced with insinceri
racing. "You would rather let them belie
only an eerie silence filled with uncertainty. Aria turned her focus back
o the board members. "We will investigate t
h passion. "You assume I'm guilty without even
to allow her narrative to be dictated by them. As murmurs resumed among the
down. If the truth is as you say, then let's uncover it together. Bu
"Fairness does not belong to someone betr
eep, her loyalty betraying her. But in that mo
houghts. With everyone staring, she felt an unmistakable shift in the atmosphere-her family, once a unit,
nce. "I refuse to be the villain in my own story. I will uncover the
of fear and determination, for she understood that this was only the beginning of a long journey filled with perilous truths and hidden betrayals-each
ned, Aria knew one undeniable tru