The air in Karen’s office was cold, but the tension that hung over her desk burned hot. She stared at the spreadsheet glowing on her laptop screen, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Selena’s arrogance had finally tripped her up.
The numbers didn’t lie: funds had been funneled out of Kane Industries accounts, camouflaged under vague project codes that didn’t match anything in the company’s pipeline. It was clear Selena had been using company money to finance her personal lifestyle—luxury properties, designer jewelry, and private jets that didn’t fit the legitimate budget.
Karen’s smile grew sharper. Selena’s greed had always been her greatest weakness.
Karen leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the desk as she considered her next move. This was the leverage she needed to shake Selena’s already unsteady grip on Kane Industries. If the board found out about this, Selena’s reign would crumble.
But Karen didn’t plan to let it end with just a revelation. Selena had to feel it—the pressure, the paranoia, the walls closing in.
…
The boardroom was packed when Karen arrived later that afternoon, the usual hum of polite chatter quieting as she entered. Selena sat at the head of the table, her icy demeanor firmly in place, but Karen didn’t miss the flicker of unease in her eyes as their gazes met.
“Shall we begin?” Selena said, her tone clipped as she tapped a manicured finger against the table.
The meeting started with routine updates, but Karen waited for her moment. When the financial report came up, she raised her hand, her expression calm but curious.
“I noticed something unusual in the budget allocations,” Karen said, her voice steady. “Certain project expenses don’t seem to align with any current initiatives.”
All eyes turned to Selena. Her jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. “I’m sure it’s just an accounting oversight. These things happen in a company of this size.”
Karen tilted her head slightly. “Perhaps. But I think the board would appreciate clarification. Transparency is important, after all.”
The board members murmured in agreement, their attention now focused on Selena.
Selena’s grip on her pen tightened. “I’ll have the finance team look into it,” she said curtly.
Karen smiled faintly. “I’m sure they’ll uncover the truth.”
The tension in the room rose significantly as the meeting adjourned. Karen packed up her notes slowly, watching Selena from the corner of her eye. She could see the cracks forming—the subtle tremor in her hand, the way she avoided eye contact with the board.
Back in her office, Karen poured over the financial records again, highlighting the most damning discrepancies. She knew Richard wouldn’t ignore this for long. He had always been meticulous when it came to money, and if Selena’s missteps came to his attention, it could spell disaster for both of them.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in,” Karen called.
Selena stepped inside, her heels clicking against the floor. She closed the door behind her, her expression cold but strained.
“We need to talk,” Selena said, her voice low.
Karen leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”
Selena crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t play coy with me. I know what you’re doing.”
Karen raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’ve been digging,” Selena snapped, her voice rising slightly. “You’ve been asking questions, stirring up doubt. Why?”
Karen stood, stepping around the desk to face her. “I’m just doing my job, Ms. Kane. Isn’t that what you hired me for?”
Selena’s composure cracked, and she took a step closer. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? But let me make something clear—you don’t belong here. You never will.”
Karen’s smile was icy. “Funny. That’s not what the board seems to think.”
Selena’s face darkened, but before she could respond, Karen’s tone sharpened.
“You’re not as untouchable as you think, Ms. Kane,” Karen said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Selena froze, her eyes widening slightly. “What did you say?”
Karen stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I know about the missing funds. The shell accounts. You’ve been sloppy, Selena. And it’s only a matter of time before someone else notices.”
Selena’s breathing quickened, but she quickly masked her panic with a sneer. “Who the hell are you?”
Karen held her gaze, her smile unreadable. “Just someone who knows how to read the fine print.”
As Selena stormed out of the office, Karen leaned against the desk, her resolve hardening. The cracks in Selena’s control were spreading, and soon, they would shatter completely.