A DOOR THAT WAS NEVER CLOSED “No, no… it's nothing really.” Manuel said immediately before Laura could get too close. Now, Laura was convinced something was really wrong and Manuel was hiding something.“It's okay, I'll be in my room.” Laura said and turned to the door.Manuel heaved because she finally left. “Goodnight Laura…” He muttered before she finally went out of sight.She rubbed her eyes as she walked down the hallway toward her room. Just then, Martin dropped her a message and explained everything to her.She wasn't happy Martin had to reach Manuel first. The information should have come from her. “So, that's why he's acting a bit weird…” she muttered, staring back at where she was coming from.She heaved and turned back. She needed to speak with Manuel. When she got to his study, she paused outside the door first. She pushed the door open slowly. His hair looked slightly messy, like he had run his hand through it too many times. It wasn't that way when she left few minu

THE CALL AT MIDNIGHT The phone kept ringing. The vibration on the desk was really loud in the room and the screen was shining brightly in the study.Laura felt like something was off. Mrs. Stone had never called that way before.Manuel was still holding the phone. He had not answered it yet. He looked at the screen, then at Laura.She had nodded, but she wasn't still sure if he should pick or not.“Wait!” Laura said immediately, as Manuel was about to pick. She thought again. What if she was planning something else?"Should I pick up?" he asked again. Laura was not sure. Her heart was beating faster. Something did not feel right. They had just talked about Mrs. Stone and her past about Nightingale and about the problems she had and now she was calling. Laura took a breath and nodded. Yes, " she said. Manuel answered the phone. "Mrs. Stone, " he said.Laura watched him. There

THE BROKEN PHOTOGRAPHLaura felt her temper rising.“You know,” Megan said, leaning closer toward Manuel, “I was hoping we could catch up.”Manuel’s eyes went cold immediately. Megan one of the persons in highschool that didn't rate him, she always found opportunities to talk down on him and now this?He stepped forward suddenly. Megan looked surprised when he grabbed her wrist and pushed her hand away from him.“Leave,” he said sharply.She blinked. “What?”Manuel’s voice rose. “I said leave.”Megan laughed nervously. “You’re joking. Back in highschool, you wanted me. You wanted to be friends…”Manuel stepped closer and he yelled.“Leave my way or I’ll have my men throw you out!”When she refused, he pushed her aside, grabbed Laura’s hand again and walked away.The driver was already waiting and he immediately opened the car door when he saw them approaching. In a minute, he zoomed off.The city lights passed slowly outside the car window as they moved.Laura sat with Manuel at the

THE FIRST BETRAYALLisa stared at him for a moment and then she grabbed her purse and turned toward the door.But before leaving, she glanced at Laura.The look in her eyes wasn’t friendly and then she walked out and shut the door behind her.The office fell quiet again as Laura released the breath she had been holding.“That was strange.”Manuel walked back toward his desk, his face tightened.Laura looked at him and leaned against the desk slightly. “She kept asking about your meetings.”Manuel picked up a pen and spun it slowly between his fingers.Laura studied his expression. “You’re not surprised.”Manuel’s lips curved slightly. “Not really.”Laura frowned. “What does that mean?”Manuel leaned back in his chair again.“People who want information eventually come looking for it.”Laura crossed her arms. “You think Lisa is spying on you?”Manuel’s eyes lif

THE HIDDEN LEDGERManuel sat at his large desk, reviewing the latest reports Laura had brought in. The files were stacked neatly.Suddenly, his phone vibrated sharply against the desk. He picked it up, seeing Martins’ name flashing on the screen.“Sir, I've been trying to reach Ms. Laura.” Martins said immediately, urgency heavy in his voice, “I think you’ll want to see this.”“Go on,” Manuel replied, leaning back slightly in his chair.Martins explained rapidly, “I traced more transactions tied to the deceased executives from Dave’s era. The ledger… it’s hidden. Millions have been moving quietly between shell companies. It’s still active today.”Laura, who had been reviewing another file nearby, froze mid-page. She had heard what Martins said over the phone. She quickly looked at her phone and she saw it was switched off. She remembered she had switched it off herself after meeting with Christopher, because she didn't