I arrive at Blackwood Corp before sunrise.
The tower stretched into the sky, beautifully built and impossible to ignore—just like the man behind its success. Damian Blackwood may have destroyed my family, but today— I'm the one stepping into his empire with a purpose.
I straightened my Blazer and swiped the access card he gave me last night to gain entrance into the building.
Everywhere seemed quiet especially the lobby. I guess I arrived too early on my first day.
I walked towards the Elevator so I could get to my office but was seen by some employees. The gaze on me was noticeable. Not only did they gaze but they also murmured saying — " the new financial analyst personally hired by the CEO."
News travel fast I guess.
Well I'm here for one thing—, Find the truth by staying focus, invisible and ahead. Whatever is said about me doesn't count. I was offered a job because I'm Smart… period.
I thought I would get a private office to myself but well my desk is at the far end of an open office.
Great, Computer is already powered on but something doesn't feel right.
The moment I sit my monitor flashes red.
ACCESS LOCKED. UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY DETECTED.
"What?" I whisper, clicking again.
Same message.
Did IT restrict me? But I was cleared yesterday.
I try again, and another pop-up appears—this one angry, blinking like a warning siren.
SUSPICIOUS FINANCIAL MODIFICATIONS DETECTED IN YOUR ACCOUNT.
CEO NOTIFIED.
My heart sank immediately.
"How could this have happened on my first day?" I whispered
Not long, Damian walked in demanding an explanation.
"Aria Lawson, care to explain what's happening on your system?"
The employees watched with interest hoping to see an amazing drama to unfold on my first day.
I stood on my feet, "I didn't do anything." I just logged in—
He cuts me off. "The system flagged you for altering internal financial projections at three a.m. Want to tell me how that happened when you technically didn't start work until today?"
"What?" I asked in a confused state
"I was asleep and didn't log in until today "
"Hold on, you think I did this?"
"I would never touch Company's file without authorization from you or even before stepping foot into this office."
"And yet" he says "Your system disagrees."
"My System" I snap " someone inside your company is trying to set me up?"
Didn't know when those words slipped out of my mouth but I'm glad it did anyway.
He was quiet for a moment and picked interest in what I had said.
"Aria are you sure about this?" he asked
"Well that's the only reasonable possibility, considering the fact it's my first day"
"I think someone wants me to look guilty on day one"
"Let me have a look at your system " he said
He taps a few buttons on my computer. His jaw tightens.
"This doesn't look like amateur sabotage," he mutters. "These are deliberate data manipulations. Someone tried to redirect funds and left the trail pointing at you."
"So you believe me?"
He looks at me, but this time, I see something dangerously close to protectiveness.
Not suspicion
"I don't hire idiots," he continues "whoever did this is an idiot if they think I'd fall for something this sloppy."
I felt relieved for a moment.
Then he adds, "But that means someone inside this building wants you gone or wants me in trouble."
A sudden heat ran through my body.
Before I can respond, Damian gestures for me to follow him. "Come to my office. Now."
My mind was troubled while riding with the Elevator to his office.
Who would Sabotage me ?
Why so early?
It feels like the person knows who I am and why I came to Blackwood Corp.
When we enter his office , Damian rounds his desk, pulls up the security logs, and projects them on the glass display wall.
He scans the timestamps. Then he frowns.
"This login came from a remote access point. Not from inside the building."
My blood runs cold.
"Someone outside Blackwood Corp hacked into my account?"
"Yes," he says. "And whoever it was, they were prepared. They knew our systems."
My throat tightens.
My uncle has connections.
He has a reason to keep me away from Damian's company.
Could he have done this?
Damian crosses his arms, watching me closely. "You're very calm for someone whose career was almost destroyed on her first ."
"I'm not calm ," I said "I'm furious."
"Good, because I will need your help in finding who did this."
"You want my help?"
"Yes I need an unbiased judgement from you " he said
"Fine," I stepped closer "I will help you but only because I won't let someone destroy my name"
"And" he added "because someone wants you out before you even began"
That voice was too low.
"Aria whoever fears you…is worth finding" he added
Damian Blackwood came closer that i suddenly felt heat inside and my chest tightened.
I turned away before I act reckless and betray my emotions.
On his desk, something catches my eye. A file—Edges worn, handwritten notes.
And on the corner…
Jonathan Lawson.
My father.
I took a deep breath
"What is that?" I ask sharply.
Damian looks over. "An old partnership record. I found it last night when reviewing accounts from before your father died."
Before…my father died.
The words hit me like a punch.
"May I see it?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
He hesitates—then hands it to me.
I flip through the pages, heart pounding.
Contracts,Timelines,Signatures.
But something is wrong.
A page is missing.
The corner is ripped, jagged, like someone tore out a sheet in a hurry.
"Where's the rest of it?" I whisper.
Damian frowns. "That's how it was when I found it in the archive."
And one person—ONE PERSON—had access to these documents years ago.
My uncle.
My breath shakes as I lower the folder.
Damian watches me carefully.
"Aria. Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not."
Because for the first time…
I'm beginning to doubt everything I was told.
"Damian, can I ask you a question "
"Sure go ahead…" he said
"Did you ever have an argument or conflict with my late Father?"
"No" he answered without hesitating " Mr Jonathan Lawson was a respectable business man and his death was a great loss to me and this company."
I turned away trying to hide my emotions .
My uncle told me Damian betrayed my father.
Yet Damian stands here—defending him.
Looking genuinely pained.
"What is it?" he asks, stepping closer. "Aria—look at me."
I turn
And something inside me cracked — I felt vulnerable, fear, confusion, doubt and an attraction I can't control
"Hey" he says holding my hands "You're not alone."
"I' ll find whoever is targeting you, I promise."
It sounds comforting not that I expected it but it helped me relax.
I pull myself together .
"I'll work on the financial audit," I say "If someone left traces in my account, I'll find them."
"And I'll handle internal security," he replies. "We'll hit them from both sides."
We?
"Yes Aria"he replied
He makes it look like we're on the same team.
I nod in agreement, gripping the ripped contract page tightly.
Someone set me up.
Someone wants me out.
Someone tore out the truth.
And for the first time…
I'm beginning to think the real enemy has nothing to do with the man standing in front of me.