---
The screen flickered to life with a faint chime.
King's Corporation's logo gleamed in the corner — sleek, silver, sterile.
Amelia sat in her aunt's small living room, the morning light filtering through lace curtains. She'd brushed her hair into a low bun, thrown on a crisp white blouse, and practiced her composure in the mirror at least ten times.
Behind her laptop, a mug of untouched tea cooled beside her trembling fingers.
You've got this, she told herself. You didn't survive all this just to crumble now.
The meeting connected.
Christopher King appeared on screen — sharp in his charcoal suit, his jaw set like marble. The kind of man who looked like he'd never known failure, only control.
Beside him were two board members and Vanessa from HR, looking uncomfortable already.
"Miss Jones," Christopher said coolly. "Thank you for joining us."
"Didn't seem like I had much of a choice," she replied, her tone calm but cutting.
His eyes flickered — just slightly. "We're here to discuss the recent scandal involving leaked images from the gala. You were seen leaving the venue with me that night."
"I was," Amelia said evenly. "Because you offered me a ride after my cab didn't show up. I didn't realize that courtesy was grounds for suspension."
One of the board members cleared his throat awkwardly. "The issue, Miss Jones, is perception. The media linked your name to Mr. King's. That reflects—"
"On him, not me," she interrupted softly but firmly. "I didn't leak that photo. And if the company's reputation depends on shaming a hardworking employee instead of investigating the truth, maybe your priorities are misplaced."
Vanessa looked like she wanted to disappear.
Christopher's gaze darkened. "Watch your tone, Miss Jones."
She leaned forward slightly. "No, Mr. King. Watch yours. I've been loyal, professional, and respectful even when treated like a liability. Meanwhile, the person responsible for the leak still walks free."
For a long second, no one spoke. You could hear the air conditioning hum in the silence.
Then, almost imperceptibly, his expression softened — though his voice stayed cold.
"Your suspension will remain in place pending further review. That'll be all."
He was about to end the call when her voice stopped him.
"I hope your conscience lets you sleep at night, Mr. King."
He froze — the faintest crack in his stoic mask. But before he could say anything, the screen went black.
---
Amelia exhaled, trembling. Her throat burned from holding back everything she wanted to say.
Then her phone buzzed. A new email.
> Subject: Personal Message — C. King**
You shouldn't have spoken like that in front of the board.
But for what it's worth... you were right.
Her heart skipped. She stared at the words for a long moment, torn between anger and confusion.
Then she closed the laptop with a deep sigh. "He's still the devil," she muttered. "A devil with a conscience is still a devil."
---