Someone had set me up.
But I had no proof. There was no way to defend myself.
Jenny appeared at my side immediately. "What happened?"
"Probation," I whispered. "For something I didn't do."
"What? That's insane!"
"Someone accessed my computer after I left and changed my report. Made it look like I screwed up."
I pressed both of my palms to my face.
"And I can't prove it wasn't me."
Jenny's expression darkened. "Who would do that?"
"I don't know."
But even as I said it, my eyes drifted across the office.
To Sarah from accounts payable, who had been competing with me for the senior accountant position.
To Michael, who I had reported last month for fudging expense reports.
To any number of people who might have a reason to want me gone.
My phone buzzed.
I pulled it out, saw my hands were still shaking.
Daniel Tan: I hope you're having a good day. Have you thought about my offer?
I stared at the message.
Then my gaze turned at my desk. At the spreadsheets that suddenly looked like prison bars.
My fingers moved before my brain could stop them.
Me: What kind of position are you offering?
The response was almost instant.
Daniel Tan: Senior Financial Analyst. Competitive salary, full benefits, and a team that will appreciate your talents. When can we meet?
He was bold. I hadn't said I agreed, and he already asked to meet.
I closed my eyes.
This was crazy. Reckless.
Possibly the worst decision I could make.
But staying here, in a place where someone was actively sabotaging me, felt worse.
Me: Tomorrow. Tell me when and where.
Three dots appeared.
Daniel Tan: I'll send you the details. You won't regret this, Lulu. I promise.
Once again, I was surprised he mentioned my name casually.
And he promised.
I wasn't sure whether I would regret it or not.
But as I looked around the office that had just turned into a battlefield, I realized something.
I had nothing left to lose.
*******
The rest of the day was torture.
Every time someone walked past my cubicle, I felt their judgments. Even Jenny seemed unsure what to say, hovering nearby with concerned glances but no words.
By 3 PM, I couldn't take it anymore.
I grabbed my bag, mumbled something to Jenny about a headache, and left.
Marcus didn't even look up as I passed his office.
*******
The train ride home was a blur. I barely noticed the bodies that were pressing against me. My mind was spinning, replying to the morning's incident over and over.
Someone had sabotaged me.
The thought made my blood boil. I'd worked so hard to rebuild my life after the divorce.
Every paycheck was proof I could survive alone. Every balanced spreadsheet was a middle finger to everyone who underestimated me.
And now someone was trying to take it all away.
My phone buzzed.
Daniel Tan: Tomorrow, 10 AM. I'll send a car to pick you up. Dress comfortably. This is just a conversation, not an interview.
A car. Of course, I forgot. Billionaires didn't do coffee shops.
Me: Where are we meeting?
Daniel Tan: My office. Don't worry. It is not as intimidating as it sounds.
I almost laughed. His office was probably more expensive than my entire apartment building.
Me: Fine. But send me the address.
Three dots.
Then a location pin dropped into the chat.
I clicked it, and gaped.
The Tan Industries Tower. Seventh three floors of glass and steel that dominated the skyline like a monument of wealth.
I had walked past it a hundred times, cleaning my neck to see the top, wondering what kind of people worked in a building like that.
Now I was about to find out.
*******
That night, I stood in front of my closet for twenty minutes.
What would you wear to meet a billionaire?
My work clothes suddenly looked all cheap. The blouses and skirts were slightly faded from too many washes.
I finally settled on my best outfit. It was a navy blue dress that hit just below the knee, paired with simple black heels. It would make me not too overly professional.
At least, I hoped.
Then I barely slept, my mind was racing with questions. Every hour, I would jolt awake.
What if this is a scam?
What if he's actually dangerous?
But then I would remember Marcus's expression. The probation notice sent to my email. The coworkers who had turned on me.
*******
The car arrived at 9.45 AM.
I had been pacing my apartment since eight, checking my reflection obsessively, reapplying lipstick twice.
When my phone buzzed with "Your car has arrived" coming from Daniel, my heart nearly exploded.
I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.
A sleek black sedan idled at the curb, so polished I could see my reflection in the paint.
The driver, a man in his fifties with kind eyes, which later I found out the name was Ted, stepped out and opened the back door.
"Ms. Lulu?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice to answer him.
"Mr. Tan is looking forward to meeting you."
I slid into the backseat, and the door closed with an expensive thunk.
The interior smelled like leather and the scent was so luxurious I couldn't identify. The seats were heated.
This was how the other half lived.
The driver drove into traffic smoothly, and I watched the city slide past the tinted windows.
We were heading downtown. Toward the forest of skyscrapers that marked the financial district, straight to the Tan Industries Tower.
My phone buzzed.
Mom: Are you meeting Daniel today? He told me. Please be polite! Smile! Let him talk! Don't mention the divorce!
I sighed and replied.
Me: Mom. I've got this.
Mom: Wear the blue dress! Men like blue!
I looked down at my navy dress and almost laughed.
At least I had gotten one thing right.
*******
The Tan Industries Tower was even more intimidating up close.
The driver pulled up to the entrance, where a uniformed doorman immediately stepped forward.
Before I could even reach for the handle, my door was opened.
"Ms. Lulu. Welcome. Please, follow me."
I stepped onto the sidewalk, craning my neck up. The building stretched into the sky, its glass windows catching the morning sun and reflecting it back, blinding everyone who dared to look at it.