42. Harlan #3
“Well, don’t hold us in fucking suspense. What is it?” I bark.
Oscar ignores my tone completely. “Cassidy’s been using one of the scanners in the Fashion department to scan paper documents into the system.”
“That is how scanners work,” I snap.
Is this really the shit I’m having to put up with?
Sterling gives me a warning look. “Stop it. Listen to him, or get out.”
I fall quiet.
For now.
“Visaro received a printed copy. Nearly every time Cassidy uses the scanner, someone else uses it almost immediately after,” he says, and I stare at him in confusion. “They reprint whatever job Cassidy has scanned in, which would give them a copy of her document.”
“An identical copy,” I say, and he nods.
“That is how scanners work,” Sterling teases, and I flip him off.
My pulse pounds.
“Gemma Powter’s credentials were used for this,” Oscar says. “Does that name mean anything to you?”
I scoff. “Unfortunately. She’s another intern and a fucking bitch. We’ve had our eye on her for months now.”
“She also tried accessing the Aurelion files a few times, but she couldn’t get in,” he says. “This is only a preliminary glance, but I’d put the chance of her being the leak at eighty-seven percent.”
I look at Sterling. He looks back at me. Evidence.
“I’ll export this for HR and legal and make sure a full digital sweep is done,” Oscar continues. “I’ll let HR know so someone can dismiss her today.”
I let out a slow breath, anger burning at my core.
“Can I let Harlan know?” I ask.
Oscar nods once, not looking up from his screen. “It would be helpful since he’ll need to be there when she’s let go.”
I don’t move yet, not even when Sterling stands up from his chair.
If I leave the room now, I’m going to have to look Gemma Powter in the eye, knowing exactly what she’s done to my mate.
And I’m going to need every ounce of self-control I possess not to forget Isaac’s promise and deal with her myself.
ISAAC
I know it’s bad the moment my phone starts vibrating against my thigh. It’s not a phone call—it’s a thread of messages from Evander filling us in.
Cassidy’s still sitting beside me, happily picking at the food I convinced her to eat, while everyone around us talks over each other beneath the low music and clink of champagne glasses.
She’s smiling, genuinely happy with how things are going, and it’s the best sight.
There’s colour in her cheeks, and every few minutes, another wave of relief drifts from her glands. It’s softening the sharp edge of stress that’s clung to her for weeks.
For once, she looks proud of herself. I’m not letting anything ruin that.
I pull my phone out beneath the table, angling the screen away from her, just in case.
We’ll tell her everything. Just not right now.
Not when it’s going to ruin her day.
Evander
Oscar found something.
Evander
Gemma Powter has been repeatedly reprinting documents Cassidy scanned into the system.
Evander
Pathetic fucking bitch can’t do her own work without pawning it off onto our girl, and now she’s stealing the work Cass’s actually doing.
Evander
He also found evidence that the slimy cunt tried to access the Aurelion files several times but was blocked.
Evander
One of you better find her before I do, or I’ll not be responsible for the dead beta.
Evander
Oscar’s letting HR and legal know. He wants her out today.
Silas
I’m stuck in this meeting for another twenty minutes, but then I’ll fire her.
Evander
Lucky bastard. Only time I wish I worked for this company.
Isaac
Let me know once you’re free, and I’ll get her to you.
Evander
I won’t judge if you drag her there by her hair.
Silas
I will.
Isaac
Ev, do me a favour and take a deep breath. Once you’re a little calmer, and I’ve got Gemma out of here, come down and see Cassidy.
Evander
I don’t want to ruin her day.
Isaac
You won’t.
Isaac
And it’ll give her the chance to make yours better.
I tuck my phone away as Cassidy looks over at me.
“You okay?” she murmurs, leaning in so nobody overhears us.
I nod, brushing a soft kiss to her temple. “Perfect. Just Evander passing something over for me to handle.”
She giggles, looking up at me with those bright green eyes. “Bosses, hey?”
I grin at her. “Exactly. Do you want another glass of champagne?”
She shakes her head, biting her lip for a brief second, before blurting out, “But could I maybe have a glass of water, please?”
“You could have ten, if you wanted them,” I say, squeezing her hand before going to grab it for her.
I use the few minutes apart from her to get my fury under control before I go anywhere near her. It’s a cold, deadly pressure in my chest, wanting to unravel.
We should’ve fucking guessed it was Gemma. The beta is slimy, and I’ve hated being in her presence from the moment I laid eyes on her.
Before I even knew how much she used my mate. Before I overheard some of the barbs she made. The lies she spread.
She’s a fucking viper.
I look across the room, searching between clusters of people gathered around the desks, but it’s too crowded up here to locate her.
When we saw her out for food the other week with Frankie Bennett, Silas and I knew that something was up.
They had argued at the table as we entered, and then left quickly afterwards. They even stood talking to Cassie, which looked uncomfortable from the outside, never mind how it must’ve felt for her.
Frankie works at Visaro. They were arguing. Things were tense.
It doesn’t take a genius to put the clues together.
Gemma’s spent months watching Cassidy, criticising her, resenting every opportunity she’s earned.
The bitch is so jealous of my mate, I’m not surprised she’s used her as the scapegoat.
The pieces don’t just fit.
They fucking slam together.
My fingers tighten around the phone in my pocket, my anger building once more. I grab a bottle of water from the refreshments table and a clean champagne flute.
My mate is going to have to get fancy with this because I don’t want to leave her for too long while I track down another glass.
She grins at me as I approach, scooting over so there’s room for me once again.
“Thank you, Isa,” she murmurs, watching as I pour some of her water into the flute.
I tune in as the group around Cassidy starts debating the next big project, and Cassie’s eagerly listening, even if she doesn’t weigh in.
I try to remain composed, not wanting Cassidy to pick up on my anger or annoyance and worry that it’s because of her.
But I’m desperately waiting for a message from Silas—or any of them, really—to let me know it’s time.
I just need this woman as far away from my mate as physically possible.
My phone buzzes about forty minutes later, and I’ve never replied to a message so fast.
Silas
Bring her to Meeting Room Eleven.
Silas
Don’t let on what’s happening.
Isaac
I’m not an idiot.
Isaac
I’ll get her.
Evander
I’m coming down.
Isaac
Don’t.
Three dots appear, disappear, and then appear again, as my best friend wars with his emotions.
Evander
Fuck you.
Evander
I can help.
Isaac
You promised.
Isaac
So unless you’re coming to see Cassie, don’t bother.
Evander
Prick.
There’s no response after that. I slide my phone back into my pocket and stand.
“Where are you going?” Cassidy asks.
“I’ve got to grab something for Harlan.”
“For Harlan?” She moves to stand, but I shake my head. Her nose wrinkles. “On launch day?”
“Apparently, successfully launching an impossible campaign wasn’t enough work for him without picking up extra,” I say with a laugh. “I’ve got it. You enjoy.”
She laughs softly, squeezing my hand, before letting me leave.
The moment I’m out of her sight, I stop pretending I’m calm.
I’m fucking furious.
But anger isn’t useful unless it’s controlled, and Gemma has already taken enough from Cassidy.
She isn’t taking her career, too.
I find her near the far bank of desks, one hip resting against the corner of a workstation as she laughs with two other members of staff. Her blonde curls are perfectly arranged around her shoulders, glossy lips stretched into a smile that doesn’t touch her baby blue eyes.
Gemma looks up when I approach, and her entire face brightens.
Interesting.
She stands immediately, smoothing down her pale blouse before checking that each blonde curl is still in place.
“Isaac. Hi,” she says sweetly.
Fucking fake bitch.
I smile, giving her my most composed look.
Nothing in my expression reveals how badly I want to ask whether ruining Cassidy’s life was worth it.
“Gemma,” I say. “Do you have a few minutes?”
She looks around and raises a brow. “During a party?”
“I was wondering if you could help me with something,” I say, making sure to keep the anger out of my voice. “You said you’d always be available…”
Her eyes widen, then she beams at me. She flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulders and gives the two people with her a nod.
“See you all soon.” She goes to place her hand on my arm, but I step out of her way before her perfume can cling to my sleeve.
Not happening. I won’t let her touch me.
“Where should we go to… talk?” she asks, dropping her voice to a husky murmur.
Fuck, I want to be sick.
“Just follow me,” I say instead.
I walk slightly ahead of her because if she tries to touch me again, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep pretending this is a normal conversation.
Her heels click against the floor behind me.
“So,” she says, drawing the word out, “what did you need help with?”
“You’ll find out in a minute.”
“Oh.”
The disappointment in her voice is almost funny.
She catches up, moving close enough that the synthetic peach of her perfume clogs the air around me, fighting against the neutral scent of the building and coating the back of my throat. It’s overly sweet and sharp, nothing like Cassidy’s natural scent.
Nothing like home.
“Is this about the campaign?” she asks. “Because I’ve got loads of ideas for what they could do next. I actually think I’ve been underutilised here.”
Of fucking course she does.