Chapter 4 - THE SECRET OLIVIA HIDOlivia sat at the conference table.
For the first time, she looked small.
Not weak.
Not helpless.
Just human.
Diane closed the folder.
“The board will begin a formal investigation.”
Olivia nodded.
“I understand.”
Ryan watched her.
He expected anger.
Instead, she looked exhausted.
Samuel noticed.
“You don't have to leave tonight.”
Olivia looked up.
“What?”
“You're still employed.”
Her eyes widened.
“After this?”
“Until the investigation is complete.”
Olivia stared at him.
“Why?”
Samuel answered,
“Because accountability isn't revenge.”
She looked away.
After a moment, she whispered,
“I became like this because I thought it was the only way to survive.”
Samuel said nothing.
Olivia continued.
“My first manager humiliated me every week.”
Ryan looked at her.
“He would scream in front of everyone.”
She laughed bitterly.
“I promised myself I'd never be weak again.”
Samuel's voice softened.
“So you became the person you hated.”
Olivia looked at him.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Samuel nodded.
“That's what Daniel did too.”
Olivia looked surprised.
“Daniel?”
“He was bullied by his father.”
Ryan glanced at Samuel.
Samuel continued.
“Daniel spent his entire childhood believing strength meant never being vulnerable.”
He looked at Olivia.
“Then he became successful.”
“And powerful.”
“Yes.”
“And started treating people the way he had been treated.”
Olivia's eyes filled.
“That's exactly what happened to me.”
Samuel nodded.
“But pain explains behavior.”
He paused.
“It doesn't excuse it.”
Olivia wiped her eyes.
“I know.”
Diane stood.
“Olivia, we'll contact you after the investigation.”
Olivia rose.
Before leaving, she looked at Ryan.
“Why did you speak up?”
Ryan hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Olivia gave a sad smile.
“Yes, you do.”
Ryan looked at her.
“You didn't think I mattered.”
She nodded.
“And you proved me wrong.”
Then she left.
Ryan looked at Samuel.
“Do you think she'll change?”
Samuel looked toward the door.
“I don't know.”
“Do you think people can?”
“Yes.”
“Always?”
“No.”
Ryan nodded.
The answer felt honest.
Then Diane turned to Samuel.
“There is one more problem.”
Samuel frowned.
“What?”
She placed another document on the table.
“This.”
Ryan leaned closer.
It was an internal financial report.
Several accounts had been highlighted.
“What is it?”
Diane answered,
“Missing money.”
Samuel's expression changed.
“How much?”
“Forty-three million dollars.”
Ryan stared.
Olivia's investigation suddenly seemed insignificant.
Samuel stood.
“Who knows?”
“Three board members.”
“Anyone else?”
Diane shook her head.
“We believe someone inside finance has been moving funds through shell companies.”
Ryan looked at Samuel.
“Why tell me?”
Diane answered.
“Because this may be why you were really brought here.”
Ryan frowned.
“I thought the fellowship was about leadership.”
Samuel looked at the report.
“It is.”
Diane added,
“Leadership isn't only about being kind.”
Ryan looked confused.
“Then what is it?”
May you like
Samuel answered:
“Knowing what to do when someone powerful is lying to you.”
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