2 The conference room was deathly silent . Everyone was stunned . The police officers froze , looking to their captain for guidance . The CEO , coming to his senses , whirled aro- und to stare at Michael , his eyes wide with dawning horror . Michael's face drained of all color . His lips trembled . " Alana ! What nonsense are you spouting ! " " We'll see if it's nonsense once we check the backend access logs , " I said , my voice like steel as I looked at the CEO . " It will be crys- tal clear who accessed my account at that time . " " Get the IT director in here ! Now ! " the CEO roared . The IT director practically fell over himself scrambling out of the room . Scarlett was panicking . Her eyes darted around the room , avoiding everyone's gaze . She gripped Michael's arm , her fingers digging into his sleeve . " Michael ... I ... I don't know ... " Michael shook her off , his forehead slick with cold sweat . He tried to compose himself . " Fine ! Check the logs ! I'm sure she set up some kind of automated message to frame me ! " I laughed . " A little defensive , are we , Michael ? I never said it was you . " " You ! " The wait was agonizingly long . When the IT director returned , he was carrying a laptop and accompanied by a police tech expert . His expression was grim . " Well ? " the CEO barked . " There was indeed an operation from Ms. Vance's account at last night . However ... " He paused , his gaze shifting to Mich- ael . " At the same time , there's a record of Mr. Hayes's account privileges being used . Specifically , he used his administrative acce- ss to take control of Ms. Vance's account . " The truth was out . Every eye in the room was now fixed on Michael . He shot to his feet , his face a blotchy , furious red . " That's bulls- hit ! You're lying ! Alana must have paid you off! " " It's right here in black and white ! The system logs don't lie ! " The CEO snatched the laptop . After a quick scan , his face turned purple with rage . He pointed a trembling finger at Michael , too furious to speak . " You ... you ... Michael Hayes ! You used your authority to frame a subordinate ! And you embezzled millions from the company ! " " No ! Sir , let me explain ! " Michael was completely unraveling . " It was Alana ! She drove me to it ! She hates me ! She wanted to ruin the company ! " " Shut up ! " the CEO roared , the veins in his forehead bulging . " Officer ! Arrest him ! " The police moved forward , their target now Michael . He thrashed and screamed , " It wasn't me ! It was Scarlett ! That idiot put me up to it ! She was the one who wanted the money ! She said she had an investment opportunity ! " The blame suddenly shifted to Scarlett . She leaped to her feet , her voice shrill . " I did not ! Michael , you're lying ! You were the one who said we should ruin Alana , and then we could run away together with the money ! " The two of them descended into a ugly , snarling mess of accusations . I watched , my expression cold and distant . This was the man I had spent seven years of my life loving with all my heart . 15/12 20 CRAZ In the chaos , Michael seemed to grasp at one last straw . He pointed at me , his voice a desperate shriek . " So what if I used her act ount ? Alana's no saint either ! She takes kickbacks ! She's been taking money from suppliers for years ! I have proof ! " He fumbled for his phone . " Yes ! Proof ! Her bank account has unexplained deposits ! " My heart skipped a beat . But then I calmed myself . The CEO looked at me , his eyes filled with suspicion . " Michael , " I finally spoke, my voice quiet but cutting through the noise . " Are you talking about the bank account you opened in my name , using my social security number ? " " To resort to such a pathetic lie when you're cornered ... it's laughable . Last month , you bought Scarlett a Birkin bag . The money came from that account , didn't it ? Who exactly has been taking kickbacks ? " With every word I spoke , the color drained further from Michael's face . " Do I need to pull the bank statements ? The records of your cash withdrawals ? " I stared at him , my words slow and deliberate . In this new life , I had been quietly gathering my evidence . Michael crumpled as if his bones had been removed . The CEO understood everything . He lunged forward and kicked Michael hard . " You bastard ! What did this company ever do to you but good ! " The police pulled the enraged CEO away and slapped handcuffs on the ashen - faced Michael . Scarlett was huddled in a corner , her makeup streaked with tears . " It had nothing to do with me ! I didn't know anything ! Michael used me ! " The CEO , panting , pointed at her . " And this idiot ! Take her too ! For questioning ! " Another officer walked towards Scarlett . She screamed and backed away . " Don't touch me ! I'm pregnant ! I'm carrying Michael's child ! " The room fell silent once again . Michael's head snapped up , his eyes wide with shock . I was taken aback for a moment , then let out a short , sharp laugh . A truly unexpected bonus . In the end , both Michael and the hysterical Scarlett were taken away . The CEO and I were left in the trashed conference room . He looked at me , his expression a mixture of guilt and regret . " Alana ... you've been wronged . " I said nothing . " The company will compensate you . The position of Sales Director ... " he began , trying to placate me . I cut him off . " Sir , you haven't approved the resignation I submitted yesterday . " " Alana , don't be rash ! Now that the bad apples are gone , the company needs you ! " I shook my head . " There's no need . My mother needs me . I want to spend more time with her . " The thought of my mom softened my heart . That was the most important thing , the reason I had been given this second chance . The CEO tried to persuade me further , but seeing my resolve , he sighed . " Alright . I'll approve your resignation . Your bonus and compensation will be paid in full . " " Thank you . " I nodded and turned to leave . Walking out of the building , the sunlight was blinding . I took a deep breath . The massive weight that had been pressing on my che- st was finally gone . Michael was held in custody . Scarlett , being pregnant , was released on ball . They were too busy with their own problems to bother me . I focused on my mom . I took her to her check - ups , cooked for her . To have saved her in this new life was my greatest contentment . 1 got a job offer from Orion Group . The CEO interviewed me himself . " My headhunter has been calling you for months . What made 5.12 Chanter 2 you finally decide to leave ? " I smiled . " Are you not aware of the current situation at my former company ? " As expected , I accepted the offer , starting next month . My old boss called , begging me to come back , even offering me a stake in the company . I refused to return to a place filled with such bitter memories . Life seemed to be settling into a peaceful rhythm . But I knew that wretched pair wouldn't give up so easily . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!