Chapter 12: The Risky Move

Eva

I told myself not to run.

But my footsteps were too fast. Too loud. Too shaky.

The corridor leading to the Wolfe Archives was darker than I remembered—its silver walls humming under cold fluorescent light. Everyone else had gone on lunch break. It was nearly 2:00 p.m. And here I was.

Good.

My badge beeped against the scanner. The heavy archive door clicked.

I slipped inside, pulling it shut behind me.

Every breath I took echoed. I didn't have much time.

Luca needed the financial reports from Q3—detailed transactions and internal profit logs. They were clean data—non-damaging—but important. Proof that Wolfe Enterprises had quietly shifted assets offshore the month Claire died. He believed the documents would lead to something. Maybe answers. Maybe power.

I reached the back shelf where the hard backups were usually stored.

Shelf 4C. Top drawer.

My fingers curled around the cold handle, and I pulled.

Empty.

I froze.

The folder was gone.

No backups. Not even the empty plastic sleeves. Just dust and space where my mother's secrets used to be.

"No," I whispered, eyes scanning the rows again. I yanked open the next cabinet. Nothing. Another. Nothing.

I pulled out my phone and typed fast:

Eva: They're gone. Someone removed the financial reports. Q3 2003 to 2004. All of them.

Three dots. A pause.

Luca: That's not a coincidence. You've been flagged.

Eva: You think they know?

Luca: Someone does. Play it quiet. Don't get caught doing anything stupid.

But I already had.

And I know who that someone is. Katherine Wolfe. How she found out about my identity still surprises me.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, smoothed my blouse, and forced my feet to slow as I left the archive room.

On my way back to the elevator, I caught my reflection in the glass.

I looked guilty.

The office buzzed with soft clicks and distant conversation. People passed files. Coffee cups clinked against desks.

And Damien Wolfe's hand brushed my shoulder.

I flinched.

It wasn't dramatic—just a light touch as he reached past me to pick up a folder. But it lingered. Warm. Steady. Almost… hesitant.

I kept typing, pretending I didn't notice.

But I did.

"You okay?" he asked.

I looked up. His tone was casual, but his eyes were watching me too closely.

"Fine," I said, trying to smile. "Just tired."

He studied me.

God, he made it hard to lie.

Then he stepped closer, voice quieter now. "Are you a spy?"

My breath caught. "What?"

He didn't blink. "The board wants me to fire you. Effective immediately. They received emails—threats, accusations. Your name's on all of them."

My pulse roared in my ears.

"I didn't—" I began, but he raised a hand.

"I haven't fired you. Yet. But I want you to give me a reason not to."

There it was.

Not a request. A warning.

My palms were cold. My voice shook, just a little.

"I don't know what emails you're talking about, and I didn't write them. I'm not a spy. I'm not stealing anything."

He tilted his head. "So what are you doing here, Eva?"

"Working."

He didn't believe me. I could see it in his jaw, tight with tension. But something—some part of him—was holding back. Still watching. Still unsure.

And then… he left.

No reply. No threat. Just walked away.

Leaving me standing there like I might crumble into pieces.

Evening – Office Corridor

The rumors had grown teeth by the time I walked back to my desk after the archive trip.

Two interns passed me near the conference room and went silent mid-laugh.

A junior associate bumped into me and didn't say sorry.

A whisper: "She's the one they're talking about."

I sat at my desk, spine straight, fingers motionless on the keyboard.

It was like the oxygen had changed. Like I couldn't breathe without someone watching.

I opened my inbox.

Ten unread messages.

Three with no sender name.

All with subject lines like: "Is it true?", "We thought you were smarter.", and one that just said: "Spy."

I deleted them all.

Then typed:

Eva: This is getting worse.

Luca: Then be smarter. Whoever framed you knows what they're doing. The second you slip up, they'll finish the job.

Eva: It's Katherine. She knows about my identity. What do we do now?

Luca: Shit! But how? Well… You owe me broader access. I burned my entrance protecting you. You want to find out who's behind this? Then make it happen.

I stared at the message.

I was in deeper than I ever planned to be.

But I couldn't stop now.