EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS

E CRO

ned overnight-she would prove her worth in this new world. Even if there are obstacles. The elevator door op

took care of them, Alex arrived. His commanding presence filled the room. De

rning, Mr. Thompson," and

paused, "Ruby, in m

followed him inside, where the large window

the table, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fi

itated,

, she's my ex-and it's complicated. I want you to keep a close e

Is she a threat

is unpredictable. That is al

y feel uncomfortable. But

*

ered by Vicky's arrival. She entered the office with an authorit

voice sweet, "Be nice

pson is in a meeting. I will let hi

t reach her eyes. "

uby then picked up the phone and calle

into the conference room, leaving Ruby to guess about the nature of their conversation. When they a

*

d to leave. Alex stopped at h

is office. "Vicky isn't just my ex," he admits. "She k

d, "Why are y

s," Alex said in a soft voice. "If you wi

een honest since day one, Mr. Tho

aw the man behind the corporate facade. "Great,"

mination and trepidation. Shadows of Alex's past beg

the realization that she was determined to uncover any secrets

*

vening replayed in her head. Loyalty cannot be compromised. She thought her job was just to schedule meetings and orga

ce. Hannah, the office assistant, gave Ruby a look she couldn't exp

le. "He was called into the emergency confer

d conference room. The room was full of important executives. Everyone sat in tense

em. An internal document detailing our next merger was leaked last

oincidence at all. She thought of Vick

se responsible will be found and dealt with strictly." His e

*

hands were shaking as she typed an email. She had never seen a me

ritten. Opening it, Ruby's blood ran cold. It was addressed to an important journal

to Alex's office, her heart pounding. He looked

"Is this about th

tout onto his desk. "But not in th

ument before falling on her

. "Someone planted it there. I don't

her. Then he snapped his fingers while leaning back in his

of the office was cleared, she accessed the email server logs with help from the IT depar

nn

. Why would the office

re she could even process the betrayal. She turned to

n," he

nnah," she said in a slight whisper.

ed. "Leave this to me," he said finally.

*

was gone. No expla

desk. Inside was a photograph of her past life-grainy but not unmistakable. The nigh

e that came with them: "Be careful, Ruby. Eve

nger and fear welled up within her. W

office. He handed her a picture from an envelope, his face unreadable as the curt

ds shaking. "I don't know who sent

blue eyes searching hers.

her. "I... I was desperate. I needed money to survive.

hair. "Whoever is targeting you knows your past, and that

ashing over her. "You

ot exactly a criminal mastermind, Ruby, but you're

*

trust in her was a small victory. But the battle was not over yet. Whoever sent t

as determi