Chapter 5 - The Betrayal Hidden Inside Her Company
The betrayal came from someone Khloe never expected.
Her boss.
Michael Reed.
The man who hired her.
The man who told her she was one of the most talented analysts in the company.
The man who invited her to dinner after work and acted like a mentor.
Until Alexander placed the evidence in front of her.
“He sold your access.”
Khloe stared at the documents.
“No.”
Alexander watched her.
“You trust him.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he helped me.”
Alexander nodded.
“That makes betrayal harder.”
The investigation revealed Michael had been transferring internal information for months.
Jared was only one part of the plan.
Khloe’s credentials were valuable because nobody would suspect her.
She was the perfect person to blame.
The victim.
The person everyone would believe was desperate enough to commit fraud.
Khloe closed her eyes.
“I almost lost everything.”
Alexander answered:
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You almost lost what they wanted you to lose.”
“What’s the difference?”
“You.”
The simple answer surprised her.
Alexander continued.
“They wanted your reputation.”
A pause.
“They wanted your confidence.”
Another pause.
“They wanted you to believe you were powerless.”
Khloe looked down.
“And did it work?”
Alexander shook his head.
“No.”
For once, Khloe smiled slightly.
“You’re very confident.”
“I have to be.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone around me depends on it.”
She studied him.
“And who does Alexander Varga depend on?”
The question caught him.
Nobody asked him that.
Not honestly.
He looked away.
“No one.”
Khloe shook her head.
“That sounds lonely.”
The room became quiet.
Then Alexander said:
“It is.”
That was the first honest thing he had admitted.
Not the billionaire.
Not the feared businessman.
Just the man.
And somehow, that frightened Khloe more than his reputation.
Because she realized something.
Alexander Varga was not emotionless.
May you like
He was someone who had learned not to show pain.
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