Chapter 5 - THE FIRST CRACK
The office of Cross-Tech Construction was exactly as I remembered it: smelling of stale coffee, expensive leather,
and unearned confidence.
On Monday morning, I walked through the double glass doors wearing a sharp, tailored black blazer and
holding a sleek leather briefcase. The receptionists looked at me in shock; they were used to seeing me pop in to
deliver lunch to my father or run quick errands. Now, I was arriving as the primary financial representative of their
largest creditor.
Marcus was waiting for me in his corner office. He didn't look happy. He was pacing back and forth, holding
a thick stack of manila folders.
“Evelyn,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension as he closed the door behind me. “Let’s get one
thing straight. You’re only here because that old fossil Vale has a soft spot for you. You don't know the first thing
about construction or corporate bids. You sign the release forms for the five-million-dollar draws, and I do the
actual work. Got it?”
I walked over to the desk, set my briefcase down, and sat in his leather executive chair before he could.
“Sit down, Marcus,” I said, my voice calm, steady, and utterly devoid of the timid submission he expected.
Marcus frozen, his jaw dropping slightly. “Excuse me?”
“I said, sit down,” I repeated, opening my laptop. “We have a lot of work to do, and I don't have time for
your ego.”
“Listen to me, you little—”
“If I don't sign the compliance clearance by five o’clock today, Adrian—Mr. Vale—will freeze the account,”
I interrupted, looking up at him with a cold, unblinking stare. “And since I’m the sole authorized sign-off for the
funds, your harbor bid will die before it even starts. So, I suggest you adjust your attitude.”
Marcus stared at me, his face turning a dangerous shade of red. But the desperation won. He slowly sat down
in the chair across from his own desk, his hands clenching into fists. “What do you want, Evelyn?”
“I want the full ledger for the Hillside project,” I said. “Every invoice, every subcontractor payout, and the
safety inspection reports from the last six months. Mr. Vale wants to ensure his collateral is secure.”
“The Hillside project is none of his business!” Marcus snapped. “That’s separate from the harbor bid.”
U N M A S K E D R E V E N G E
13
“He holds the deed to Hillside as collateral for the new five million,” I countered smoothly. “That makes it
very much his business. Hand them over.”
With a heavy scowl, Marcus shoved a stack of folders across the desk. “Fine. Look all you want. It’s all
standard.”
I spent the next four hours buried in the files. To an average accountant, the numbers looked pristine. But I
wasn't an average accountant, and I knew exactly what Marcus was hiding.
I found it in the subcontractor payouts for the foundation work. The company listed was "Stonebridge
Foundations," but the routing numbers on the invoices matched the shell company "Vista Real Estate"—the very
same account Marcus used to fund his offshore gambling. He was skimmed nearly thirty percent of the structural
budget, leaving the Hillside project severely underfunded and structurally compromised.
During my lunch break, I stepped out to a quiet cafe down the street. I called Adrian’s private number.
“Did you find anything?” Adrian’s voice was warm, a sharp contrast to his cold exterior.
“Worse than I thought,” I said, looking over my shoulder to ensure no one was listening. “Marcus has been
skimming from the foundation budget of Hillside. He’s using cheaper concrete and skipping the steel reinforcement
tests. If this building goes up, it’s a public hazard. We don't just have him on fraud, Adrian. We have him on
criminal negligence.”
There was a pause on the line, and I could hear the dark satisfaction in Adrian’s breath. “Perfect. I’ve already
contacted the city's independent safety board. A surprise inspection of the Hillside site is scheduled for Thursday
morning. But we need to make sure Marcus doesn't get tipped off.”
“He won't,” I said. “He’s so convinced I’m incompetent that he didn't even bother to lock his digital
database. I’ve already copied the real foundation receipts and sent them to your secure server.”
“Excellent work, Evelyn,” Adrian said, his voice softening slightly. “You’re... remarkably good at this.”
A flush of warmth crept up my neck. “I had a good reason to learn.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, a hint of genuine concern breaking through his professional tone. “Is he giving
you a hard time?”
“Marcus is a bully,” I said. “But bullies don't know what to do when you stand your ground. I’m fine, Adrian.
I'll see you at the house tonight.”
“I’ll have Thomas prepare dinner,” Adrian said. “Be careful, partner.”
As I hung up the phone, my heart was racing—not from the fear of Marcus, but from the strange,
intoxicating thrill of working with Adrian. For the first time in my life, I felt valued. I wasn't just a bargaining chip
or a disappointment. I was a force to be reckoned with.
May you like
U N M A S K E D R E V E N G E
14
