Avery sat across from Kane Enterprises’ CFO, Gregory Stanton, in her sleek office. The spreadsheets and evidence from the anonymous envelope were spread across her desk. Gregory’s face remained stoic, but Avery could sense the tension beneath his composed demeanor.
“I don’t appreciate being called into question like this, Avery,” Gregory said, his voice calm but laced with irritation. “These accusations are baseless.”
“Baseless?” Avery leaned forward, her sharp gray eyes narrowing. “Explain, then, how these unauthorized transactions lead directly back to accounts under your control.”
Gregory hesitated, his jaw tightening. “I don’t know. Maybe someone is trying to frame me.”
Avery’s patience was wearing thin. “Do you expect me to believe that? You’ve been with this company for years, Gregory. If someone were framing you, why wouldn’t you come forward with your own investigation?”
Gregory folded his arms, his expression darkening. “Because it’s not that simple. You think these discrepancies are about me? They’re not. Someone higher up is pulling the strings, and if you keep digging, you’re going to make yourself a target.”
Avery’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t let him see her unease. “Who are you talking about?”
Gregory smirked, but it was a grim, humorless expression. “Figure it out, Ms. CEO. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He stood abruptly, straightening his tie. “If you don’t have anything else to accuse me of, I’ll be heading back to my office.”
Avery watched him leave, her mind racing. His words had only deepened the mystery.
Later that evening, Avery met her best friend, Janice, at a cozy downtown café. The warm atmosphere was a stark contrast to the icy tension Avery felt from her day at work.
“Okay, spill,” Janice said, sliding a steaming cup of coffee toward Avery. “You look like you’re about to explode.”
Avery sighed, running a hand through her dark hair. “I confronted Gregory, and he denied everything. But he said something that’s been eating at me—he hinted that someone higher up is involved. Someone pulling the strings.”
Janice frowned. “Higher up? Like the board?”
“Maybe,” Avery said, her voice laced with frustration. “But I don’t know who to trust anymore. And on top of that, I feel like I’m failing at everything—work, the wedding, everything.”
“First of all,” Janice said firmly, “you’re not failing. You’re running a billion-dollar company and planning a wedding, which is insane, by the way. No one expects you to do it all.”
Avery shook her head. “I can’t just ignore the company to focus on the wedding, and I can’t ignore the wedding either. Shawn’s been so supportive, but I feel like I’m letting him down.”
Janice reached across the table, squeezing Avery’s hand. “Then let him help. Delegate the wedding stuff to Shawn—he’s dying to take some of the stress off your shoulders. Focus on the company, figure out this mess, and then go back to being excited about marrying the guy of your dreams.”
Avery smiled faintly, her friend’s words offering a brief moment of clarity. “You always know what to say, Janice.”
“It’s a gift,” Janice said with a grin.
That night, Avery returned to her apartment to find Shawn waiting for her. He was sitting at the kitchen counter, a blueprint rolled out in front of him.
“Hey,” he said, smiling as she walked in. “Rough day?”
“You have no idea,” Avery replied, setting down her bag. “What’s this?”
Shawn’s grin widened. “Something to cheer you up. I found the perfect wedding venue.”
Avery raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “You did?”
“Yep,” he said, pulling out his phone. “It’s a restored Victorian estate just outside the city. Gorgeous gardens, a ballroom straight out of a fairy tale, and plenty of space for all our guests.”
He handed her his phone, showing her photos of the estate. Avery’s breath caught as she swiped through the images. The venue was stunning, exactly what she had imagined but hadn’t been able to put into words.
“Shawn,” she said softly, “it’s beautiful.”
“I thought you’d like it,” he said, his voice warm. “And I already reserved it, so all you have to do is say yes.”
Avery felt a wave of emotion welling up in her chest. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of genuine excitement about the wedding.
“Yes,” she said with a smile. “Absolutely yes.”
Shawn pulled her into a hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I knew you’d love it. Now, no more worrying about the wedding. Let me handle it, okay?”
“Okay,” Avery whispered, feeling a rare sense of relief.
The next morning, Avery arrived at her office early, determined to dive back into the mystery of Kane Enterprises’ finances. She unlocked her door, flipping on the lights, and froze.
An envelope lay on the floor, just inside the doorframe. No markings, no return address.
A chill ran down her spine as she picked it up and opened it. Inside was a single sheet of paper with a message scrawled in blocky letters:
BACK OFF, OR YOU’LL REGRET IT.