From Ashes, A Queen Rises

eleased me, and I slid down the wall to the floor. No one came to help me. They just

I went to the executive washroom and cleaned my face. The woman in the mirror was a stranger. Her face was swolle

young man named David, stopped me. "Mrs. Carroll... Mr.

urn

wants you in the secondary off

ck, more of a storage closet than a workspace. Julius w

," he said without preamble. "She needs a propo

his is your apology, Florence. For everything. You will make her

m. The air in the tiny room felt t

t?" I asked, my voi

you never see Ava a

of nausea. But

ruised cheek. The gesture was meant to be possessiv

by coffee and rage. I didn't sleep. The proposal I created was a work of art.

mpany's servers. I copied everything. Every contract, every client list, every financial statement, every proprieta

't an apology. It

sentation, the door to my office flew open. Julius stormed in, flank

ting a shaking finger a

d, my heart starting to pound

m and dragged me out of the office, into t

staff, "is a traitor. She tried to sell our company

mails. They were fakes, obvious

hest, "I caught her in time. I have s

e as a scapegoat for some other f

s fired!" he bellowed. "And to make sure

e guards. "Teac

r. This time, there were

ramble away. "Julius, it's not

first blow landed across my back, stealing my breath. The pain was sharp and bl

my clothes were torn. They beat me until t

sciousness, I looked u

choke out. "I swear to God, you will

st sn

wing. My father was sitting by my bed, his face like a t

s from the hallway

s voice smooth and reassuring. "The leak was contained.

g contract..." K

alous, so she sabotaged you. She's always been a vindicti

sighed. "You're so st

smile touch my lips. He was lettin

nto my room alone. He stood over my

t gift. "I'm willing to be merciful. All you have to do is sign a confession. Admit that you tr

d at him, at this monster

roken rasp, but my wo

. "Don't b

the blame for your mistakes. And I will never, ever apologize

The civility vanished, r

gret this,

a strange calm settlin

g moment, then turned on

y. I thought of the company secrets on my h

e power. He thought he h

ut to lose far, far more t