CHAPTER 3 — THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL
Elena placed a small flash drive onto the conference table.
"I hoped tonight would end differently."
Damian frowned.
"What is that?"
"My resignation letter."
Confusion spread across the room.
"I wrote it three months ago."
She paused.
"If this company had become the kind of place where integrity no longer mattered..."
"I intended to walk away."
She nodded toward the large presentation screen.
"Play the file."
The lights dimmed.
A recording filled the room.
It wasn't surveillance footage.
It was a series of internal meetings.
Executives manipulating financial reports.
Managers taking credit for junior employees' work.
Veronica laughing as she described Elena as "the invisible assistant."
Then came Damian's voice.
"Keep her away from the investors."
"No one important needs to know she built this proposal."
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Several board members slowly turned toward Damian.
One director quietly removed his glasses.
"You presented her work as your own."
Damian tried to defend himself.
"I was leading the team."
"No," Elena answered.
"You were standing in front of someone else's effort."
She looked toward the chairman.
"The decision is yours."
The chairman didn't hesitate.
"Damian Brooks..."
"You are terminated immediately."
He looked toward Veronica.
"And your employment ends today as well."
Security approached without a word.
May you like
For the first time in years...
Damian left the building without applause.
