Mira had once believed progress was linear—one step forward, then another. But now, as the weeks unfolded like pages burned at the edges, she understood the truth.
In the world she now moved through, for every inch of power she gained, someone somewhere pulled a string, hoping she'd unravel.
And sometimes… they didn't have to pull hard.
---
April 7th. Cavendish Tower – Internal Briefing Room
Mira stood at the head of the room, whiteboard behind her and the quarterly community outreach data in her hands. The numbers were solid. Better than expected.
But as she walked through them, she could feel the tension under the surface.
"—and so, with a 52% increase in local engagement and over 8,000 volunteer hours logged in just two months, we've exceeded our initial benchmarks," she concluded.
Silence.
Not uncomfortable. Calculated.
Gloria was the first to speak. "Those figures are impressive. But there's been pushback from regional leads about resource allocation. Some feel you're over-prioritizing low-income districts."
Mira lifted her chin. "Because those are the ones where we see the highest ROI on social investment. It's not charity. It's strategy."
Someone near the back—an older man in a grey pinstripe suit—grunted softly. "Or it's sentimentality disguised as strategy."
Leo, seated at the side, spoke before she could. "It's innovation. And it's backed by real-time metrics. You may not like her methods, but the results are undeniable."
A few more murmurs now. Some shifting in seats.
But Mira noticed something else—a new absence.
Malcolm Cavendish hadn't attended the meeting.
And that… wasn't like him.
---
April 7th. 7:00 PM – Cavendish Estate
Leo confronted his father as the staff cleared dinner.
"You skipped the strategy debrief."
Malcolm didn't look up from his decanter. "I had other priorities."
"Priorities like meeting with Vishal Khera?"
Malcolm finally met his son's gaze. "You're well informed."
"I make it a point to be. Vishal's a relic, Dad. He's opposed every reform Mira's tried to implement."
"And yet, he still controls 12% of the board."
Leo tensed. "What's going on?"
Malcolm poured two fingers of whiskey. "There's talk. From shareholders. About restructuring."
Leo's stomach dropped. "You mean replacing her."
Malcolm didn't answer.
"You gave her that position."
"And I can take it back. If the board thinks she's becoming a liability."
Leo took a slow breath. "Is that your opinion—or theirs?"
Malcolm downed his drink. "I don't have the luxury of personal opinions anymore."
---
April 8th. Mira's Apartment
Mira stared at the anonymous package on her doorstep.
It wasn't uncommon to receive gifts—journalists, sponsors, well-wishers—but this was different.
Wrapped in matte black paper, no note. Inside: a thin USB stick.
No label.
She hesitated. Then plugged it into a clean, isolated device.
A video opened.
Footage. Grainy but clear. Mira. At the Continental Gala. On the balcony. Talking to Amara.
The audio was distorted—but one line rang out.
"Burn it down, if you must."
Suddenly, the screen went black.
Then a message appeared in white text:
Careful who you trust. The higher you rise, the harder you fall.
---
April 9th. Leo's Apartment
He found her pacing.
"Someone's watching me," she said. "Or trying to scare me."
She showed him the footage.
Leo's face went hard.
"This is surveillance-grade. Someone went through a lot of trouble to record this."
Mira folded her arms. "It's not just about me. It's a warning."
Leo studied her. "Do you think it's Gloria?"
"She doesn't need to be subtle. This… this is someone with money and influence. Someone who wants me erased, not just replaced."
Leo's eyes darkened. "I'll find out who."
Mira stepped forward, voice low. "And what happens when it's someone in your family?"
He didn't answer.
---
April 11th. Investor Conference – Park Hyatt Ballroom
The investor conference was Mira's next major hurdle.
It was supposed to be routine—highlighting quarterly performance, pitching new initiatives, answering questions. But Mira had never walked into a ballroom that felt like a battlefield before.
Everyone was watching.
She wore navy silk, minimal makeup, and confidence like armor. Leo walked beside her, hand brushing hers, but they both knew what was coming.
The Q&A session began cordially.
Until a hand rose from the second row.
Vishal Khera.
"Ms. Verma," he said smoothly, "there's been concern regarding your emphasis on grassroots-level spending. Some of us worry this is emotional activism, not strategic foresight."
Mira kept her voice level. "Social impact is strategic. Cities don't thrive unless their people do."
He smiled. "Noble words. But investors need returns—not poetic ambitions."
Another voice spoke up. A woman with ash-blonde hair and sharp eyes. "And what of this recording that's circulating? A conversation suggesting subversion from within?"
Mira blinked. "You're referring to a manipulated clip taken entirely out of context. I can assure you—"
"Is it fake?"
"It's edited."
"Which implies the words were real."
Mira's jaw tightened. "I stand by every word I said. If change threatens the old systems, then maybe those systems need burning."
Gasps.
Vishal smirked.
Mira met their eyes. "You asked for honesty. Don't be surprised when I deliver it."
---
Later That Night – Cavendish Tower Rooftop
The skyline glittered, but Mira felt no peace.
Leo found her leaning over the ledge, wind in her hair.
"You were brilliant."
"They think I'm a threat."
"You are. And that's why you're needed."
She turned to him. "Do you ever get tired of choosing me?"
"Every day," he said. "Because it's not the easy choice. But it's the right one."
Mira closed her eyes. "They're going to come harder next time."
"Then we fight harder."
---
April 12th. Gloria's Office
Gloria handed Malcolm a report. Confidential.
"She's dividing the board."
Malcolm skimmed the pages. "Or exposing who's always been against us."
Gloria said nothing.
Malcolm's eyes stopped on one line.
"Anonymous surveillance footage provided by internal source."
His grip tightened.
"Find out who."
Gloria's smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I already have."