“Yes, well, the matter is more complicated than that.” Richard sat in the chair opposite her desk, his posture deceptively casual. “Financial has flagged several other..." He paused as if searching for the right word. “Discrepancies.” He continued, “In other accounts you’ve managed.”
A cold weight settled in Morgan’s stomach. “Discrepancies? What kind of discrepancies?”
“Approval signatures on vendor payments that don’t match our records. Budget allocations that exceed authorized amounts.” Richard’s eyes held hers steadily. “All with your digital signature.”
“That’s impossible,” Morgan protested. “I’ve never approved anything outside established budgets.”
“The evidence suggests otherwise.”
“What evidence? I want to see these supposed documents.”
Richard’s expression shifted into something like sympathy, but it felt rehearsed. “Unfortunately, that’s not possible during an active internal investigation.”
“Investigation?” Morgan repeated, her voice rising slightly. “Am I being investigated?”
“Let’s call it a review.” Richard stood, straightening his jacket. “In the meantime, you’re being placed on administrative leave, effective immediately.”
The words hit Morgan like a physical blow. “Administrative leave? But I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“It’s standard procedure, Morgan. We need to protect the company while we sort this out.” His tone suggested it was all perfectly reasonable. “I’ll need your keycard and password. IT will be by shortly to collect your computer.”
Morgan stared at him in disbelief. This was happening too fast, spiraling beyond her control. “I want to speak with HR first.”
“They’re expecting you,” Richard said smoothly. “Take your personal items, leave your keycard on the desk, and go directly to Human Resources on the fourth floor.”
With that, he opened her office door and stood waiting, clearly expecting her to comply immediately.
Morgan gathered her purse and a few personal items with shaking hands. The speed with which this was unfolding suggested it had been planned in advance. She’d been ambushed.
“This is a mistake,” she said as she walked past Richard. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“For your sake, I hope that’s true,” he replied, his voice betraying no emotion. “Security will escort you out after you meet with HR.”
The next hour passed in a blur of humiliation and shock. The HR representative, a woman Morgan had always found reasonable in past interactions, seemed to have already decided her guilt. The exit interview was cursory, the paperwork pushed across the desk with clinical efficiency.
By 11:30 AM, Morgan found herself standing on the sidewalk outside Vertex Creative, a cardboard box containing her personal effects in her arms, her employee badge and parking pass confiscated.
She got to her car and sat there for a few moments, too numb to consider alternatives. This morning she’d been thinking about her evening with Archer, looking forward to seeing his place for the first time. Now she was effectively suspended from her job, implicated in fraud she hadn’t committed.
She drove home on autopilot and once there, she set the box down and immediately called the number Archer had given her for Alexandra Winters’ office. After speaking briefly with the receptionist who thankfully remembered her, Morgan’s call was transferred to Alexandra Winters immediately.
“Ms. Winters, this is Morgan Reeves. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’ve just been placed on administrative leave pending a fraud investigation at my company. I’m not sure what I should do.”
“I understand,” the attorney replied without hesitation. “Can you be here in an hour?”
Surprised but remembering that she’d had an opening today and that it was only 10am, Morgan responded with heartfelt gratitude, “Yes. Thank you so much.”
“And Ms. Reeves? Don’t discuss this with anyone before we meet.”
Morgan agreed and hung up, before sitting heavily on her couch, trying to process the morning’s events. Richard was setting her up, that much was clear. But why? What could he possibly gain by blaming her for financial irregularities?
She wanted desperately to call Archer, to hear his reassuring voice, to have him tell her it would be alright. But the attorney’s warning lingered. Don’t discuss this with anyone. Even Archer? Probably even Archer.
After splashing cold water on her face and changing into more formal attire suitable for meeting with a high-powered attorney instead of the skinny jeans and blouse she was currently wearing, Morgan grabbed her purse and headed out. She would text Archer after meeting with Alexandra Winters, once she had a clearer understanding of her situation.
The offices of Winters & Zhao occupied the top three floors of a sleek downtown high-rise. The reception area screamed money and influence—modern art on the walls, Italian leather seating, discreet lighting that somehow managed to make everyone look their best.
Morgan gave her name to the elegantly dressed receptionist and was immediately escorted to a corner office with breathtaking views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Alexandra Winters rose from behind her impressive desk, extending a hand in greeting.
