Maya released a short, bitter laugh, too young to sound so tired.
“How convenient. Now the villain wants to become a witness when the victim was already sacrificed.
Victor did not immediately respond. He walked to the window, but this time he didn’t look like the city’s owner.
“I will not apologize to you expecting to receive it,” he said. I’m giving him a way to destroy myself, too.
Maya opened the folder with trembling fingers. Inside were mails, truck routes, altered policies and overly important signatures.
On one page he saw a repeated name: Arthur Sloan, chairman of the board and uncle of Victor.
Did Arthur Sloan order him to hide it?
Victor squeezed his jaw. —Arthur orders a lot of things without leaving any prints. This time someone kept a copy out of fear.
Maya looked up. – Who?
Before Victor answered, they knocked on the door three times. It wasn’t a call. It was a warning.
“Victor,” said a female voice on the other side. Human Resources is waiting for Miss Benton.
Maya recognized the voice of Claudia Reeves, director of Human Resources, always smiling, always impeccable, always cruel under the perfume.
“The meeting is canceled,” he said.
Claudia smiled at Maya over Victor’s shoulder.
I’m afraid not. We have a formal indictment against Intern Benton.
Maya felt that fear was coming back with new shoes. Claudia held a white envelope as if it were a funeral invitation.
“Miss Benton,” Claudia said, “come with me. It will be better for you to cooperate before this reaches the police.
Victor hardened his voice. “If the threat again, Claudia, the next conversation will be with federal prosecutors.
Claudia’s smile disappeared for a second, barely enough to reveal the machine under the skin.
“Watch out, Victor. Your uncle detests when children play martyrs.
Maya understood then that the office was not a refuge. It was the exact center of an inherited war.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Maya said. And I’m not signing anything without a lawyer either.
Claudia looked at her as she looks at a stain on white silk.
