The conference room of Carter Corp was filled with the low hum of executives and department heads. It was the final review for the "Everglow Plaza" project, and Alicia was responsible for the structural presentation. She felt a knot in her stomach, not because of the work, but because of the icy gaze of Melissa, who sat directly across from Arthur.
Arthur gave Alicia a small, encouraging nod. "Whenever you're ready, Miss Mendes."
Alicia stood up and began her presentation. Her voice was steady, her technical knowledge flawless. But halfway through, as she reached the slides regarding the budget and material sustainability, the screen suddenly flickered and went blank.
A murmur went through the room.
"Oh, dear," Melissa's voice cut through the silence, dripping with fake sympathy. "It seems our 'talented' architect didn't bother to check her file for viruses or formatting errors. Such a rookie mistake."
Alicia stared at the blank screen, her face burning. "I checked the file ten minutes ago. It was perfect."
"Perhaps you were too distracted by 'other things' to focus on your job," Melissa continued, glancing suggestively toward Arthur. The implication was clear, and a few executives shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Arthur's eyes turned into cold steel. He knew Alicia's work ethic; he had seen her working until midnight. He looked at the technician, who was frantically typing.
"The file has been manually corrupted from a remote terminal, Mr. Carter," the technician whispered, though it was loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Alicia felt like the walls were closing in. She remembered the beach from her dreams—the fragments of gold and ashes. She took a deep breath. She wouldn't let the shadows win again.
"I don't need the slides," Alicia said, her voice rising above the whispers.
She walked to the large whiteboard at the front of the room. Picking up a marker, she began to draw the structural skeletons by hand, from memory. She cited every measurement, every stress-test result, and every cost estimate without looking at a single note.
The room went silent. Even Melissa looked stunned. Arthur watched her with a pride so intense it was almost painful. He saw a woman who didn't need a billionaire to protect her—she was a force of nature all on her own.
When she finished, Alicia capped the marker. "Are there any questions regarding the integrity of the design, Miss...?" She looked directly at Melissa. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your last name. I was too focused on my 'rookie' work."
Arthur stood up, the ghost of a smile on his face. "The presentation is approved. Melissa, my office. Now."