The Game of Trust

Isabella POV

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. 

Who had sent that? And why? Could it be someone inside Sterling Tech, someone who was trying to sabotage us? Or was it someone else entirely?

"Isabella," my father called, taking me away from my thoughts. He was headed towards the hall. 

I followed him, trying to push the doubts from my mind. 

"Dad, do we have to go back?" I asked, but he kept walking. 

"Yes," he answered. "We can't have them thinking we bailed out."

I hastened my steps. "So, do you think it's Gabriel?" I asked. 

He stopped and looked at me. "I don't know darling. I'm not sure. I don't trust him. But he's not the only threat."

I swallowed looking into Dad's eyes and he continued walking. We entered the hall, and I scanned the room for Gabriel. He had suddenly disappeared among the crowd. 

Dad held my hand and led me to another room. And then into the passageway, stopping before the elevator. He pressed the button and we got in. The door opened after some seconds leading into another floor. I followed him and entered a new room. It was filled with books like an office. 

"Dad," I called.

"Find a seat," Dad said, closing the door. 

"Shouldn't we be at the party?" I asked. 

"This is more important. I have wanted to tell you earlier, but I couldn't find the right time," he answered. 

I felt anxious. What had Dad planned to tell me?

"Dad," I called. "What is it?"

"Isabella, sir down," my father instructed calmly. 

His tone was serious. I listened, falling straight to the soft couch. I was panicking but trying my best to remain calm. Anytime Dad spoke in such a tone, then there was sure to be trouble. 

My face moved up towards the door as it opened revealing several of the senior executives walking in. I gulped while studying their expressionless faces.

Dad sat and gestures for them to begin with his hands. "Let's begin."

"We've been looking into the numbers from last quarter," one of the executives, James, said. "There are discrepancies. Major ones. We've been siphoning funds from multiple departments."

I felt my stomach twist. "Isn't it an accounting error?" I asked. 

"Not quite, Miss," James answered. 

 "How far back do the discrepancies go?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"At least six months," James replied. "But the real question is, who's behind it? We've been trying our best to trace the source, but it's just not leading anywhere. I suspect it might be from…any of us."

The room's air began to decline and everyone kept looking over their shoulders and murmuring. 

"Why would you say that, James?" I asked. 

"What better way to cover your tracks if you aren't in the lead? If it isn't one of us doing it, then we have a mole among us," James answered.

Another round of murmur filled the room and I watched them blame each other. 

"Maybe, you're the one!" The man by James right spoke. "We've been in this company longer than you."

James turned to the man on his right, and it became war. They took turns throwing jabs at each other and I felt my head would explode. 

"That's enough!" I yelled. "Please, let's not fight like children. I want solutions. What do you think is the best course of action?"

I looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each of the executives. Each one seemed just as confused and worried as I felt. There was no way to tell who could be trusted now. I had to be careful.

"I think it's best to leave that to you and your father," James answered. 

Dad sighed and began. "I want everyone in this room to be alert. We don't know how deep this goes, but we do know our company is suffering. I want the investigation sped up as quickly as possible."

The executives nodded and then one of them pushed a file to my father. "What about Gabriel Knight? How do we handle him?" 

Dad and I exchanged looks knowing we hadn't thought about that. 

"We'll handle him," Dad answered.

"How? If you have a solution to getting him out then you need to be quick because he's unto us," the executive said. 

He adjusted his glasses and Dad looked at him shocked. 

"You don't mean…" Dad said, straying his words. 

"He's interested in buying our company," James answered and everyone gasped. 

"Oh no," I whispered. 

"He's been circling around and somehow he got information about our stocks crashing," James continued. 

"But I handled the news," Dad answered. 

"I guess he has other ways and he's currently on the top of the Tech world," James added. 

"What do we do?" I said to my father in a low voice. 

Before he could answer, the door to the office opened suddenly, and a young assistant entered, looking shaken. 

"I'm sorry to intrude but there's someone here to see you," she said, glancing nervously at me. 

"Who is it?" Dad asked. 

"Mr Knight," she answered and everyone froze. "He said he has an appointment with you."

I looked at my father and he nodded. "Yes, he does. Please send him in."

The room immediately felt hot despite the cool air from the air conditioner. We were in so much trouble. 

I counted slowly to ten and then the door opened. Gabriel walked in, and smiled. 

The executives shivered in their seats as he stepped closer with two men behind him. 

"Mr. Knight," my father said, standing to greet him.

"Mr. Sterling," Gabriella greeted, shaking my father's hand. 

They were acting like they hadn't met this morning. Gabriel's gaze flicked to me, his lips curling into that infuriating, almost playful smile. "Isabella," he said softly. "I see we meet again."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at his casual tone. 

"I trust you're enjoying the summit, Mr. Knight?" my father asked. I felt the tension in his voice. He was being careful. 

Gabriel nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Oh, very much. But I'm afraid I didn't come here to talk about the summit."

"Of course," Dad answered. "Please, join us."

Gabriel's smile widened slightly. "You asked for my help," he said. I glanced at my father. 

"I have an offer for Sterling Tech," Gabriel continued. 

"I'm offering to buy a controlling stake in your company," Gabriel offered. 

"I'm sure you're aware of the recent...troubles," Gabriel continued, his eyes focused on my father. "I believe Knight Industries could help stabilize things. We could clean up the mess your company's found itself in."

Dad stuttered before getting his words out. "And what do you expect in return, Gabriel?"

Gabriel's smile turned darker and he spoke. "I want full access to Sterling Tech's financials, and a seat at the board."

Dad and the executives gasped. "But…that's too much!" Dad said. 

"Well, it's business sterling. You don't expect me to risk a lot for nothing," Gabriel responded.

"What do you say? Do we have a deal?" Gabriel asked calmly.