The Kane family gathered in the expansive study of the estate, the weight of recent discoveries pressing heavily on them. Alessia sat at the large oak desk, her laptop open and her fingers poised over the keyboard. Zayden and Victoria stood nearby, their expressions a mix of frustration and concern. Christian was on the phone with Marcus, the private investigator, pacing the room as he listened intently.
“What do you mean the number plate was fake?” Christian asked sharply, his voice carrying through the room. He paused, listening, then let out a low sigh. “Alright. Let me know if you find anything else.”
He hung up and turned to the family, running a hand through his hair. “The number plate was bogus. No match in any database. Whoever this guy is, he’s good at covering his tracks.”
Alessia slammed her laptop shut, her jaw tightening. “This is getting ridiculous. First, the cameras weren’t working, and now the car’s untraceable? Someone is going out of their way to make sure we don’t find answers.”
Zayden crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “It’s clear this wasn’t just an accident. Someone’s orchestrating this, and they’re trying to frame Zane.”
Victoria, ever composed, placed a hand on Alessia’s shoulder. “We’ll keep digging. Marcus will find something. In the meantime, we have to focus on keeping the company stable. If this trial drags on and we lose more investors, we’ll have bigger problems.”
Alessia nodded, her chest tightening at the thought. Kane Enterprises had already taken a hit in the court of public opinion. Headlines blared Zane’s name alongside words like scandal and murder. Investors were panicking, and the board was starting to question her leadership.
“I’m doing everything I can,” Alessia said, her voice steady but strained. “But with Zane out, we’re short a financial controller. I’ve been handling his responsibilities on top of my own, but it’s too much. I need to hire someone temporarily to fill the position.”
Christian frowned. “Do you think it’s wise to bring in an outsider right now? With everything going on, we need someone we can trust.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Alessia replied. “The position is too critical to leave unfilled. I’ve already drafted an ad for the paper. It’s the quickest way to get applicants.”
Victoria gave her a reassuring look. “You’re doing the right thing. The company needs stability, and you’re making the tough calls. Zane would understand.”
The next morning, Alessia placed the ad in the paper and began reviewing the early applications. The study table was piled with résumés, each one meticulously printed and stapled. Christian sat across from her, sipping his coffee as she sifted through the stack.
“Any promising candidates?” he asked, leaning forward.
Alessia sighed, setting a résumé aside. “A few, but I’m being cautious. We can’t afford to hire someone who isn’t up to the task. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about damage control.”
Christian nodded, tapping his coffee mug thoughtfully. “I trust your instincts. You know what the company needs.”
A knock on the door interrupted them, and Victoria entered, carrying a fresh batch of mail. “Anything from Marcus?” Alessia asked immediately.
Victoria shook her head. “Not yet. But I did hear from the lawyers. The trial date is being finalized. It’s going to happen sooner than we expected.”
Alessia leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. “Great. Just what we need. More pressure.”
Zayden walked in, holding a newspaper folded to the classifieds section. “Your ad’s running,” he said, handing it to Alessia. “You should start getting more applications soon.”
“Good,” Alessia replied, glancing at the ad. It was simple but to the point: Kane Enterprises seeks temporary financial controller. Must have extensive experience and be able to handle high-pressure environments. Immediate availability required.
“Let’s hope it works,” she said, setting the paper aside.