The Thornton Industries lobby was swarming with reporters when I arrived. Thankfully, Alexander's driver had taken me through the private parking entrance, allowing me to slip in unnoticed.
Marcus from Strategic Development was waiting by the elevator.
"Quite the entrance you've made into company folklore," he said with a wry smile. "I've been trying to poach you for months, and suddenly everyone knows your name."
"Not exactly how I wanted to get noticed," I muttered.
Marcus's expression softened. "For what it's worth, half the company thinks it's romantic, and the other half is just jealous they didn't get to kiss the boss."
"Marcus!"
"Too soon for jokes? Fair enough." The elevator arrived, and he stepped in with me. "Thornton asked me to escort you to his office before the meeting. The vultures are circling."
My heartbeat quickened. "Is he firing me?"
"If he was going to fire you, he wouldn't have sent me. He'd have sent Walker from Legal with a separation agreement and an NDA."
That was marginally reassuring.
Alexander's executive floor was eerily quiet. His assistant, Claudia, gave me a sympathetic nod as Marcus led me to the imposing double doors of Alexander's office.
"Remember," Marcus said before knocking, "whatever happens in there, you have allies. Including me." He squeezed my shoulder and knocked.
"Enter," came Alexander's voice, steady and controlled as ever.
Marcus opened the door for me but didn't follow. As the door closed behind me, I found myself alone with Alexander and an older man I recognized as Geoffrey Thornton, Alexander's Grandfather and the company's founder.
Alexander looked impeccable in a navy suit, as if scandal was something other people experienced. Only the slight shadows under his eyes betrayed any sign of stress.
"Ms. Bennett," he said formally, "thank you for coming. You know my grandfather, I believe?"
I nodded. "We met at the company anniversary gala last year. It's good to see you again, Mr. Thornton."
The elder Thornton studied me intently. "Interesting circumstances for a reunion, wouldn't you say?"
"GrandFather," Alexander's tone held a warning.
Geoffrey waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, relax, Alexander. I'm not here to intimidate Ms. Bennett. Quite the contrary." He turned back to me. "I wanted to see for myself what kind of woman has my grandson acting so uncharacteristically careless."
"I assure you, Mr. Thornton, it was a momentary lapse in judgment on both our parts. Nothing more."
"Is that so?" His eyes, the same piercing blue as his son's, narrowed skeptically. "Because Richard Vasquez is telling the board a different story. He seems to think you and Alexander have been carrying on for months, and that your rapid advancement in the company is due to... shall we say, extracurricular activities."
My face burned. "That's absurd and offensive. I've earned every promotion through my work."
"She has," Alexander interjected firmly. "Eliza is one of our most valuable employees. Her performance reviews and project successes speak for themselves."
Geoffrey smiled faintly. "So I've heard. In fact, your handling of the Nova situation was quite impressive, Ms. Bennett. Not many people stand up to Alexander, and even fewer prove him wrong."
I blinked, surprised by the praise.
"Which is why," Geoffrey continued, "I believe your version of events. One impulsive kiss does not a scandal make, despite what the press would have everyone believe."
Alexander cleared his throat. "Ms. Bennett has requested a transfer to Strategic Development, which I've approved. We'll announce it at the meeting, along with a joint statement expressing regret for our momentary indiscretion and affirming our commitment to maintaining a professional relationship moving forward."
"Very sensible," Geoffrey nodded. "Though it won't satisfy Vasquez."
"Nothing short of my resignation would satisfy Richard," Alexander said darkly.
I finally found my voice. "May I ask why Mr. Vasquez is so determined to undermine you, Alexander? It seems like more than just retaliation for his sister's departure."
The two men exchanged glances.
"You might as well tell her," Geoffrey said. "Vasquez already has."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"
"She received his text about Miller last night," Geoffrey said, watching my reaction. "Didn't you, Ms. Bennett?"
I stared at him in shock. "How did you—"
"Because he sent the same message to every board member," Alexander cut in, his voice tight. "It's his latest attempt to discredit me."
Geoffrey stood, straightening his already immaculate suit. "I'll leave you two to align on your statement. The meeting starts in twenty minutes." He paused at the door. "And Alexander? It might be time to tell her the truth about Beijing. All of it."
When the door closed behind him, Alexander remained silent for a long moment, staring out the window at the Manhattan skyline.
"Did you research James Miller?" he finally asked, his back still to me.
"Briefly," I admitted. "He was the project manager for the Beijing facility. He died in a car accident three years ago."
Alexander turned to face me. "That's the official story."
Something in his expression made my blood run cold. "And the real story?"
He gestured for me to sit, then took the chair beside me rather than retreating behind his imposing desk.
"James Miller was more than a project manager. He was a friend. We were at Harvard together." Alexander's voice was low, controlled. "When we expanded into China, I trusted him to oversee the project because of his integrity as much as his competence."
"What happened to him?"
"Two months after the facility opened, James discovered irregularities in the supply chain. Components that didn't meet our ethical sourcing standards. Evidence of child labor at one of our third-tier suppliers." Alexander's hands clenched. "He reported it immediately, launching an internal investigation. Three days later, his car went off a mountain road on his way to meet with a whistleblower."
I felt a chill. "It wasn't an accident."
"The local police ruled it one. But no, I don't believe it was." His eyes met mine, filled with a grief that seemed fresh despite the years. "By the time I arrived in Beijing, the investigation was closed. The whistleblower had disappeared. And Richard Vasquez, who was overseeing our Asian operations at the time, assured the board that thorough reviews had found no evidence supporting James's allegations."
"You think Vasquez was involved?"
"I couldn't prove anything. Still can't. But I spent the next year quietly replacing every supplier in that chain and implementing the industry's strictest ethical sourcing protocols." Alexander's voice hardened. "And I removed Vasquez from any operational control, which is when his vendetta began."
"Why would he bring this up now?"
"Because the statute of limitations for certain corporate crimes in China expires next month. And because he thinks you might be valuable to him."
"Me? How?"
Alexander leaned forward. "Vasquez knows I've kept searching for evidence. He thinks I may have found something, and he's hoping to use you—either to extract information or to distract me at a critical moment."
My head was spinning. What had started as a workplace scandal had suddenly morphed into something far more sinister.
"The all-staff meeting is our chance to neutralize the personal aspect of this," Alexander continued. "But I need you to be prepared for Vasquez to approach you again."
"What should I do if he does?"
A hint of a smile touched Alexander's lips. "Get everything on record. You're in HR, Eliza. You know the protocols for harassment and coercion."
Despite everything, I smiled back. "I do indeed."
Alexander stood, signaling our time was up. "One more thing, Eliza. Whatever happens in that meeting, remember that appearances can be deceiving. I may say things that seem... cold. Please understand it's for your protection."
"I understand."
As we walked toward the door, Alexander paused. "And Eliza? I meant what I said last night. I don't regret the kiss. Only its timing and consequences."
Before I could respond, he opened the door, and we were back in the professional world, striding toward the boardroom where the company's senior leadership and board members waited.
Richard Vasquez stood near the entrance, watching our approach with calculating eyes. Beside him was a striking woman I recognized from the photo I'd received—Elena Vasquez, supposedly no longer with the company.
Alexander's expression revealed nothing as he nodded curtly to them both.
"Quite the gathering, Alexander," Richard said smoothly. "Bringing in the whole circus for damage control?"
"Just transparency, Richard. Something you might want to try someday."
As we passed, Elena caught my eye. "Ms. Bennett. A word of advice from someone who's been where you are: don't believe everything he tells you."
Alexander's hand touched the small of my back, guiding me forward. "Ms. Vasquez is no longer authorized to be on these premises," he said to the security guard stationed by the boardroom. "Please escort her out."
As Elena was led away, she called over her shoulder: "Ask him about the storage facility in Queens, Elizabeth! Ask him what he's hiding there!"
The boardroom doors closed behind us, shutting out her voice but not the seed of doubt she'd planted. What was Alexander hiding in Queens? And could I trust him when so much was clearly still in the shadows?
The eyes of the board members and executives tracked us as we moved to our seats. Geoffrey Thornton nodded almost imperceptibly to his son. Marcus gave me a reassuring smile.
And as Alexander stepped to the podium to begin the meeting, I realized that whatever statement we'd agreed upon was only the beginning. The real story—and the real danger—was just starting to unfold.