Chapter 26: “Tales…”

LISA'S POV

I walked out of the office, the USB drive securely in my purse, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. This wasn't over.

"Lisa, darling," Louisa called out, her voice dripping with condescension. "Don't forget to pack up your ego along with your belongings."

I turned back, a sweet smile spreading across my face. "Louisa, dear, you're going to need more than just Father's favor to fill my shoes."

Her eyes narrowed. "I'll have you know, I've been learning from the best – Father. And I'll make sure to erase every trace of your incompetence."

I chuckled, a low, husky sound. "Incompetence? That's rich coming from someone who's only achievement is being born first."

Louisa's face reddened, but before she could retort, a smooth voice interrupted.

" Ladies, please. No need for bloodshed in the office."

I turned to see Alexander, a successful businessman and old family friend, standing in the doorway. His piercing blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Alexander, perfect timing," I said, smiling. "I was just being relieved of my duties."

He raised an eyebrow. "I heard. And I must say, I'm intrigued. Care to discuss the details over lunch?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'd love to."

As we walked out of the office together, Louisa's glare burned into my back.

"Looks like you've already found a new ally," she spat.

I glanced back, my smile widening. "You have no idea."

As Alexander and I walked out of the office, the cool breeze outside was a welcome respite from the tension we'd left behind. We strolled to his sleek black sedan, parked curbside, and he opened the door for me.

"Thanks for the rescue," I said, settling into the plush leather seat.

Alexander smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Lisa. You know I've always got your back."

We drove through the city, the scenery blurring outside my window as my mind replayed the events of the morning. Alexander's silence was comforting, allowing me to gather my thoughts.

We arrived at an upscale bistro, its elegant façade and bustling atmosphere a stark contrast to the sterile office environment I'd left behind. Alexander led me to a secluded table, and we ordered our meals.

As we waited for our food to arrive, Alexander leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "So, tell me what happened."

I filled him in on the details – my father's sudden demotion, Louisa's ascension, and Emma's loyalty. Alexander listened attentively, his expression growing increasingly serious.

"That's quite a blow," he said when I finished. "But you know your father's tactics. He's testing you, Lisa."

"Testing me?" I repeated, frustration simmering beneath my surface. "He's sabotaging me. And Louisa's just a pawn in his game."

Alexander's eyes locked onto mine. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

I shook my head, determination solidifying within me. "No. I've worked too hard to build my reputation, to let Louisa destroy it."

Our food arrived, and we paused to savor the exquisite flavors. Alexander's question hung in the air, awaiting my response.

"I need to gather evidence," I said finally, pushing my plate aside. "Proof that Louisa's not capable of leading the department. And I need to find out why Father's doing this."

Alexander nodded thoughtfully. "I can help with that. I have some connections who might be willing to share information."

A spark of hope ignited within me. "Would they be willing to testify against my father?"

Alexander's expression turned cautious. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need concrete evidence before we can even think about taking your father down."

I nodded, understanding. "I know. But I have a feeling that USB drive Emma gave me holds the key."

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "What's on the drive?"

"I haven't had a chance to check yet," I admitted. "But Emma said it's records – documents, emails, maybe even financial statements."

He nodded. "Get it to me, and I'll have my team analyze it."

As we finished lunch and prepared to part ways, Alexander's expression turned serious.

"Lisa, be careful. Your father won't hesitate to strike back if he feels threatened."

I smiled wryly. "I've been dealing with his tactics for years, Alexander. I can handle myself."

He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not just talking about your father. Louisa's not to be underestimated either."

A shiver ran down my spine at the mention of my sister's name. "Don't worry, I can handle Louisa."

Alexander's gaze lingered on mine before he nodded. "I'll be in touch soon."

With that, our meeting concluded, and I left the bistro feeling more empowered than I had in hours.

The drive home gave me time to reflect on my conversation with Alexander. His willingness to help alleviated some of the weight on my shoulders.

As I pulled into my driveway, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Emma.

"Hey, how was lunch with Alexander?"

"Productive," I replied. "He's on board to help."

"Great! I've been digging into Louisa's past," Emma wrote. "Found some interesting info."

My heart skipped a beat. "What kind of info?"

"Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th Street at 5 PM. I'll fill you in." I smiled, anticipation building.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, my mind preoccupied with possibilities.

At 5 PM sharp, I walked into the cozy coffee shop, spotting Emma in the corner.

"Hey," she said, waving me over.

We ordered our drinks and settled in, surrounded by the gentle hum of conversation.

"What did you find out?" I asked, leaning in.

Emma pulled out her phone, displaying a series of screenshots.

"Louisa's been in deep financial trouble for years," she began. "Multiple loans, credit card debt...it's a mess."

My eyes widened. "How did she manage to keep it hidden?"

"...payments that coincidentally align with major company deals," Emma finished, her eyes sparkling with triumph.

I whistled softly. "That's quite a discovery. It sounds like Louisa's been using company funds to pay off her personal debts."

Emma nodded grimly. "And if she's doing that, who knows what else she's capable of? The company's finances could be at serious risk."

My mind racing, I considered the implications. Louisa's appointment as head of the department wasn't just a power play; it was a threat to the company's very stability.

"What if she's planning to run the company into the ground?" I voiced my fear aloud. "Use its assets to clear her own debts and then abandon ship?"

Emma's expression turned somber. "It's possible. We need to get to the bottom of this."

Determination hardened within me. "We will. Let's dig deeper."

We spent the next hour poring over financial records, searching for any discrepancies or suspicious transactions. The more we uncovered, the more convinced I became that Louisa's intentions were far from pure.

As the coffee shop began to close, Emma gathered her things. "I'll keep digging. See if I can find any direct links between Louisa's accounts and the company's funds."

I nodded, my mind already racing with strategies. "I'll start looking into Father's motivations. Why would he appoint Louisa, knowing her financial situation?"

Emma's eyes locked onto mine. "Be careful, Lisa. If Louisa's desperate enough to embezzle company funds, she won't hesitate to sabotage you."

I smiled grimly. "I can handle myself."

As Emma left, I remained seated, lost in thought. The stakes were higher than I'd initially realized. This wasn't just about reclaiming my position; it was about protecting the company's future.

The drive home passed in a blur, my mind consumed by strategies and counter-strategies. I pulled into my driveway, noticing Leo's car parked outside.

For a moment, I hesitated. Our conversation this morning had been strained, but I needed his support now.

I entered the house, finding Leo in the living room, scrolling through his phone. "Hey," he said, looking up.

I took a deep breath, deciding to put our differences aside for now. "We need to talk." Leo raised an eyebrow but set his phone aside, giving me his full attention.

"Louisa's in deep financial trouble," I began, sharing Emma's discoveries. "I think she's planning to use the company to clear her debts."

Leo's expression darkened. "That's serious. Do you have proof?"

“Not yet," I admitted. "But Emma's working on it. I need to know why Father appointed her. Was it just to test me, or is there something more?"

Leo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I'll see what I can find out." Gratitude washed over me. "Thanks, Leo."

For a moment, our gazes locked, the tension between us dissipating. "I'm sorry about this morning," Leo said softly.

I smiled, a tentative truce forming. "Me too."

As we sat together, united in our determination to uncover the truth, I realized that our alliance might be the key to saving the company.

The night ahead would be long, filled with research and strategy. But with Leo by my side, I felt a sense of hope.

Together, we could take down Louisa and restore the company to its former glory. But little did I know, the night held more surprises.

As I stood to leave, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from an unknown number. "Lisa, meet me at the office parking lot at midnight. Come alone." My heart skipped a beat.

Who was this mysterious messenger, and what did they want?

I looked up to find Leo watching me, concern etched on his face. "Everything okay?" he asked.

I hesitated before showing him the message. Leo's expression turned grim. "Don't go." But I knew I had to. This could be the break we needed.