The morning light filtered through the blinds of Elara's office, casting sharp lines across her desk. Victoria had worked quickly—by nine a.m., she had secured a meeting with Evelyn Edwards for eleven-thirty that same morning.
Evelyn had accepted without hesitation, her assistant confirming the appointment with polished professionalism. The reason given—a sensitive corporate investigation with potential liability implications—was vague enough to be plausible, specific enough to warrant the attention of a senior partner.
At eleven twenty-five, Victoria stepped into Elara's office. "She's here. Conference room three. I've had coffee and water set out."
Elara nodded, closing the file she'd been reviewing—a summary of the financial links Victoria had uncovered. "Did she bring anyone with her?"
"Just her assistant. She came alone."
"Good." Elara rose, smoothing the front of her tailored blazer. "I'll handle this alone. You stay close, but out of sight. I want to observe her without an audience."
Victoria gave a brief nod and stepped aside as Elara left the office.
Conference room three was a quiet, sunlit space with a view of the river. Evelyn Edwards was already seated at the table, her posture erect, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She was dressed in a sharp navy suit, her hair pulled back in a sleek chignon. She looked every inch the powerful attorney—composed, intelligent, and utterly in control.
"Ms. Edwards," Elara said as she entered, extending her hand. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Evelyn stood, her handshake firm and brief. "Ms. Blake. It's a pleasure. When your assistant mentioned a sensitive matter, I thought it best to come in person."
They both sat, and Elara allowed a moment of silence to settle between them—a calculated pause to gauge Evelyn's demeanor.
"I appreciate that," Elara began, her tone measured. "The matter involves a former employee of a company we're considering acquiring. There are... irregularities in their departure. Potential legal exposure."
Evelyn's expression remained neutral, but her eyes sharpened with professional interest.
“Irregularities can be costly,” Evelyn replied, her voice smooth and practiced. “Especially if they involve breaches of confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements. What specifically are you concerned about?”
Elara leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. “The employee in question was terminated under circumstances that suggest external pressure. There’s evidence of coordinated efforts to blacklist them from the industry, and financial trails that lead back to entities with… surprising connections.”
Evelyn’s posture didn’t change, but a flicker of something—recognition, perhaps, or caution—passed through her eyes before she schooled her features back into professional neutrality. “Blacklisting is a serious allegation. It implies collusion and potentially unlawful interference. Do you have documentation?”
“We’re compiling it,” Elara said, watching her carefully. “The trails are complex. Shell companies, offshore accounts. Some of them appear to be linked to individuals with personal stakes in the employee’s downfall.”
Evelyn picked up her pen, tapping it lightly against her notepad. “Personal stakes complicate matters. They introduce motives that aren’t purely commercial. In my experience, when money and reputation intersect, the truth often gets buried.”
“And when family is involved?” Elara asked, her tone deliberately casual.
Evelyn’s pen stilled. She looked up, her gaze meeting Elara’s directly. “Family introduces loyalty, obligation, and sometimes… legacy. It can make people do things they wouldn’t otherwise consider.”
The air in the room seemed to grow thinner. Elara held her gaze, not blinking. “The employee is a Williams. Alina Williams.”
For a fraction of a second, Evelyn’s composure cracked. Her breath caught, just audibly, and her fingers tightened around the pen. Then, just as quickly, she smoothed her expression back into place, but the slip had been noted.
“I’m familiar with the name,” Evelyn said, her voice cooler now, more guarded. “The scandal was… widely publicized.”
“It was,” Elara agreed.