The storm hit at dawn. Not the kind that brewed over oceans, but the kind that rose silently in boardrooms and bled across headlines.
When Mira stepped into Cavendish Tower that morning, her heels clicking steadily across polished marble, she knew something had shifted. Eyes lingered longer. Conversations ceased when she passed. And on the 32nd floor, where the executive offices stood like glass-encased altars, silence had weight.
Leo was already there. Pale. Unshaven. Dressed, but not composed.
"It's out," he said.
Mira's pulse thudded. "The footage?"
He nodded, unlocking his phone and showing her the page: The Verma Affair: Cavendish's Golden Girl—or Corporate Arsonist?
The article had everything—the distorted clip, inflammatory quotes, anonymous sources, speculation about her relationship with Leo. Even a grainy photo of them from the rooftop.
"Jesus."
"It broke four hours ago. They're running it everywhere. Even CNBC picked it up."
She scrolled silently. The language was surgical—careful not to accuse, just enough to provoke. 'Radical', 'emotional', 'reckless'. One quote stood out:
"Sources close to the Cavendish family question whether Ms. Verma's influence has eclipsed her merit."
"I know who leaked it," Leo said tightly.
She turned to him.
He handed her a folder. A name. A face.
Mina Joshi.
Her assistant.
"No," Mira breathed. "She's been with me since the first day. She helped me prepare every proposal. Every campaign."
"She also had access to your communications, your call logs… and your files."
Mira sank into the chair. Betrayal tasted metallic.
"I trusted her."
Leo crouched beside her. "We'll handle it."
Mira stared at the folder. "No. I will."
---
Later That Morning – HR Wing, Cavendish Tower
Mira entered the room like a prosecutor.
Mina sat with a composed face and clasped hands. Two members of HR were present. Neutral. Cautious.
"You leaked confidential footage," Mira began, wasting no time.
Mina didn't flinch. "I sent a copy of something that was already circulating internally."
"You doctored it."
Mina arched a brow. "It was edited. Not by me. I merely delivered it to someone who asked."
"Who?"
"I think you already know."
Gloria.
Mira exhaled. "You realize this is grounds for termination and legal action."
Mina's composure cracked. "I realize that the world you walk in now was built on compromise. I did what I had to. You think you're the only one trying to survive?"
Mira stood slowly. "Survival at the cost of someone else's reputation isn't survival. It's surrender."
She walked out.
---
Board Meeting – Emergency Session, April 13th
Twelve people around the table. Four supportive. Five skeptical. Three unknown.
Malcolm Cavendish sat at the head.
Mira stood before them, a digital projection of the leak, timelines, and source investigation behind her.
"I understand this has put our company under fire," she said clearly. "But I will not resign."
One board member scoffed. "You jeopardized investor confidence."
Mira met his gaze. "No, this leak did. And it didn't come from me. It came from someone planted to sabotage the very change you claim to support."
Leo stood. "And if anyone doubts her performance, I suggest you review the quarterly margins, the impact growth, and community expansion. All measurable. All better than last year."
Malcolm didn't speak.
Then—surprisingly—it was Amara who did.
"Everyone wants to talk about legacy," she said. "But legacy isn't what you protect. It's what you leave behind. If this board removes Ms. Verma today, we are not defending Cavendish—we are burying it."
Silence.
Then a slow, reluctant nod from one of the undecided.
"Motion to retain current leadership," someone called.
"All in favor?"
Hands rose. Seven.
Motion passed.
Mira didn't flinch. But Leo saw her hand shake.
---
That Night – Mira's Apartment
They sat side by side on the balcony, the city humming below.
"She was like a sister," Mira murmured. "I never saw it coming."
Leo handed her a glass. "That's how betrayals work. You never do."
She looked at him. "Why didn't you flinch, when they brought up us?"
Leo smiled faintly. "Because I'm tired of hiding it."
She turned to him, raw. "Even if it costs you everything?"
He kissed her softly. "You are everything."
---
Meanwhile – Gloria's Office
She ended the call.
"Phase one failed," she said to the shadow in the corner. "But we still have leverage."
A man stepped forward.
Not Malcolm.
Not Leo.
But someone with Cavendish blood.
Leo's older cousin.
The one who'd always wanted the throne.
---