omething with her. Nonetheless, she held a gentle hope. Today was the final assessment of the HarmonyTech proposal she had worked so hard on. She considered it her best w

pleted the modifications quickly, uploaded the right file to the business server, and printed two copies of the finished report. She strolled

's desk with a note that read: "Final HarmonyTec

was disrupted less

s jaw was tight, his forehead wrinkled, and the air around him seemed tense. He held

mma Carter?

. Murmurs rose. Emma stoo

office.

her. After they entered, the door slammed shut be

plain wha

owsed the pages. Her heart sank. The figures seemed disto

xplained, her voice trembling. "This

name on it?" And on the company

t sure." Some

about shifting re

"No, sir." I am claiming I d

most promising recruits we made this quarter. I allowed you more l

o recheck the system. Maybe som

oug

ompromising. "You are sack

pierced th

ire me? Without eve

ff. Security wil

words wouldn't come. The guy who previously praised

ng not to see the shame oozing from her. She passed Cla

ne something. She did not kno

e cup, her calendar, and a picture of her parents. Her fingertips quivered. Tears

n the curb, soaked, with a box in her hand. The city, o

ch buzzed. A message from Maya, the

saw her at your desk when you went to the law. But I d

s she stared

en right. She h

quickly. "Do y

blurry but clear shot from the workplace security cam

beside her. The betrayal felt oppressive not only from Claire but also from Alexander. He had not given

rang again-an

with a fai

olfe and I work closely together.

she sai

ance video. Maya demonstrated

"Tell him. He's the o

replied. "I will

rity footage playing on his screen in the loop. H

ance. "She was speaking the

rubbed h

d to con

imply jump. Yo

is sh

n hour ago." But she i

. "Get her add

dark. Her neighbour told him she had packed a small bag and left twenty m

a letter. Just in

with only the soft hum of traffic to her ea

started bu

ing. I was mistaken. I sincerely apologize.

the messa

ce unr

wly turned o

hurt. Not when they were carved

ft the station, and the city lights fade

as still

wasn't d