Chapter 23 : Unwanted witness

Chapter 23 : Unwanted witness

“Yes.” Emma’s voice shook. “It’s sitting here on the page like it’s supposed to be part of the deal. Like it belongs here.”

“That’s not random,” Tessa said.

“I know,” Emma whispered. “Someone put it here on purpose.”

“Okay, breathe,” Tessa said. “Who has access to those files?”

Emma sat up straight. “Cole, obviously. Maybe a few other top executives. Chloe wouldn’t be able to touch these.”

“You sure?”

Emma frowned. “Why would Cole’s fiancée be digging into private contracts? It doesn’t make sense.”

Tessa let out a long breath. “Because she doesn’t like you, Come on, Emma. She treats you like dirt every time you’ve mentioned her.”

Emma shook her head. “But it doesn’t add up. She wouldn’t have this kind of clearance. Whoever did this had to plant it carefully.”

“So someone on the inside,” Tessa said.

“Yes,” Emma agreed. “But why? Why use my old name? Nobody here should know it.”

“That’s the real question,” Tessa said. “Do you think Cole noticed?”

Emma paused, remembering the way he looked at her when he handed her the file. He had been calm as always, unreadable, but there had been a flicker of something in his eyes. “I don’t know. He might have.”

“And if he did?” Tessa asked.

Emma bit her lip. “Then I’m in trouble.”

Tessa was quiet again. Then she said, “You need to prepare yourself. Someone is trying to expose you.”

Emma rubbed her forehead. “I can’t afford that. If it comes out, I’ll lose everything. My job, my chance to build a future. Cole will never trust me again.”

“Then you fight back,” Tessa said firmly. “You find out who planted it. You get ahead of them.”

Emma gave a short, bitter laugh. “Easier said than done. I can’t exactly start accusing people.”

“You don’t have to,” Tessa said. “Just watch. Pay attention. Whoever did this won’t stop here.”

Emma swallowed hard. “You think more is coming?”

“I’d bet on it.”

Emma stared down at the paper again, her old name staring right back at her. “Then I need to stay quiet. If I react, they win.”

“That’s one way,” Tessa said carefully. “But don’t stay too quiet. Sometimes silence looks like guilt.”

Emma groaned and pushed her chair back. “Great. So I’m damned either way.”

“Not if you’re smart about it,” Tessa said. “And you are, you’ve handled worse than this.”

Emma shook her head. “Not like this. This is different. This is my past coming back. If Cole finds out who I used to be..”

“Hey,” Tessa interrupted. “He hasn’t found out yet.”

Emma let out a shaky breath. “I’m trying. But it feels like the walls are closing in.”

There was a knock on her office door, and Emma nearly dropped the phone. “Hold on,” she whispered quickly, muting the call. “Come in.”

The door opened and one of Cole’s assistants stepped in. “Mr. Cross wants you in his office.”

Emma’s heart sank, “Okay,” Emma said, forcing her voice steady. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”

The assistant nodded and left. Emma unmuted her phone. “Tessa, I have to go.”

“Call me after,” Tessa said quickly. “Whatever happens, don’t go in scared. You’ve worked too hard for this.”

Emma ended the call, her hand trembling slightly. She closed the file, slipped it under her arm, and stood. Her legs felt heavy as she walked toward Cole’s office, every step dragging.

When she reached the door, she paused. Through the glass, she could see him at his desk, typing something with his usual calm expression. He didn’t look angry. He didn’t look suspicious. He just looked like Cole, controlled, precise, unreadable.

She knocked lightly.

“Come in,” his deep voice called.

Emma pushed the door open and stepped inside. “You asked for me?”

Cole glanced up, his eyes flicking to the file under her arm. “Yes. Sit down.”

Emma obeyed, setting the file on the desk.

He studied her for a moment before speaking. “Did you find anything unusual?”

Emma froze, her breath catching.

His gaze stayed on her, sharp, waiting.

Emma forced herself to answer. “I… I noticed some inconsistencies. I flagged them.” She tapped the folder without meeting his eyes.

“Inconsistencies,” he repeated.

“Yes,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “Numbers that don’t align. References that don’t match up. That sort of thing.”

Cole leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Nothing else?”

Emma’s fingers tightened around the folder. “Not that I can explain yet.”

His eyes narrowed just slightly, but he didn’t press further. “Good. Keep looking. Bring me a full report tomorrow morning.”

Emma nodded quickly. “Of course.”

“You’re dismissed,” he said, returning his attention to his screen.

Emma grabbed the folder and stood, her knees weak with relief and fear mixed together. She left his office as calmly as she could manage, but once the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, her chest heaving.

He knew. She was almost certain of it.

Emma pushed the cafeteria door open and let out a small sigh. It wasn’t that crowded yet, a few early lunchers scattered around tables. She picked a corner table, far from the main traffic, and set down her lunch bag. She pulled out a sandwich, a bottle of water, and a small notebook to jot down reminders for Cole.

“Finally some quiet,” she muttered to herself, unzipping her bag.

She hadn’t noticed it at first, but a few seconds after sitting, she felt a pair of eyes on her. Glancing up subtly, she realized one of the junior staffers, a guy she barely knew, Martin, she thought his name was staring at her from the next table over.

Emma frowned slightly and looked back at her sandwich. She tried to ignore it. Maybe he was just spacing out.

But then the staring continued, subtle but persistent. Every few seconds, his head would turn, his eyes finding hers for a fraction of a second before looking away.

Emma tried to focus on her food, pretending she wasn’t aware. She sipped her water and tried to make notes in her notebook, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

Finally, she pushed her sandwich aside and decided she needed to address it. She picked up her tray and walked over to his table.

“Hi,” she said, keeping her tone casual. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Martin looked up, startled, his eyes widening slightly. He blinked rapidly, like he hadn’t expected her to speak. “Uh… no! I mean… yes. I mean, not really… I just.."

Emma raised a brow. “Just what?”

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. “You look familiar. That’s all.”

Emma froze. “Familiar?” she repeated, her voice low.

He nodded quickly, trying to recover. “Yeah, I swear it’s nothing weird. You just… I think I’ve seen you somewhere before. That’s it.”

Emma’s chest tightened. She forced herself to take a breath. “Seen me where?” she asked calmly, though her mind raced.

Martin shrugged, looking genuinely uncomfortable. “I don’t know. Maybe at an event, or someone mentioned you. I can’t quite place it.”

Emma studied him carefully. His reaction seemed innocent enough, but the words dug into her. “You don’t know, or you’re not telling me?”