Chapter 14: Untitled

Chapter 14

: The Breaking Point

Stella’s hands trembled as she reread the email on her screen—an urgent notice from the board highlighting a glaring error in the financial report she had hastily prepared. In her rush to prove herself after accepting Richard’s offer, she had misinterpreted critical data from one of the company’s major clients. The mistake was monumental, potentially jeopardizing a lucrative merger and costing the company millions. And now, the weight of responsibility pressed down on her, threatening not only her career but her very reputation.

The office was unusually quiet as Stella made her way to a small, stark meeting room. Her heart pounded in her chest, each step heavier than the last. She knew that by now, word of her error had reached the ears of those who could decide her fate. At the head of the table sat Patricia, her eyes hard and unwavering—a woman who commanded respect and instilled fear in equal measure. The room’s cold, fluorescent light did nothing to soften the severity of the moment.

“Stella,” Patricia began, her voice clipped and devoid of any warmth, “explain how you managed to miscalculate something so crucial.”

Stella’s throat tightened. “I—I was under immense pressure to deliver on time. I thought I had double-checked the figures, but… I made an error in interpreting the data from our client’s latest report.”

Patricia’s gaze sharpened, her expression unyielding. “Excuses, Stella, won’t fix this. This mistake has far-reaching consequences. Do you realize that this could derail the merger? That it might cost us millions—and your job?”

A heavy silence fell over the room as Stella’s eyes filled with tears. She fought to keep her voice steady, knowing that any sign of weakness would only make matters worse. “I’m truly sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain. “I understand the gravity of this, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fix it.”

But Patricia wasn’t swayed by apologies. “It’s not just about fixing the numbers,” she said, leaning forward with a piercing stare. “It’s about accountability. You’re in a position of responsibility now, and one misstep can’t be brushed aside with remorse.”

Outside the meeting room, the murmurs of the office grew louder as whispers spread about the error. Richard’s presence was notably absent, his influence still a looming threat but not part of this moment of reckoning. Patricia, now the arbiter of Stella’s fate, held all the cards. Stella was utterly at her mercy.

For a long, agonizing minute, Stella sat in silence, the weight of her mistake pressing down on her.

Inside, Patricia sat at the head of the table, poised like a queen on her throne. Her dark eyes locked onto Stella, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Stella,” Patricia said smoothly, her voice dripping with false patience. “Explain how you managed to miscalculate something so crucial.”

Stella swallowed hard. “I—I was under immense pressure. I thought I had double-checked the figures, but I made an error interpreting the client’s report.”

Patricia let out a short, humorless laugh. “Pressure? Oh, darling, pressure is what we thrive on in this business. We don’t make excuses for incompetence.”

A few executives exchanged glances, their discomfort evident, but no one dared to challenge Patricia. She was untouchable.

Stella clenched her fists under the table. She knew Patricia wasn’t just upset about the error—this was something more. A chance to tear her down. And Patricia was going to enjoy every second of it.

Flashback:

Two years ago, Stella and Patricia sat at a rooftop lounge, sipping cocktails under the Lagos skyline. Back then, Patricia had played the role of a supportive friend. She had laughed at Stella’s jokes, leaned in during conversations, and—most importantly—watched as Richard doted on Stella.

“You and Richard are so perfect together,” Patricia had said, swirling her drink, her smile a little too tight.

Stella had beamed, oblivious to the envy simmering beneath Patricia’s mask. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

Patricia’s fingers had tightened around her glass. “Yes… amazing.”

Now, sitting across from Stella, Patricia’s lips curled into something resembling satisfaction.

“This mistake,” Patricia continued, her voice sharp, “has put our merger at risk. Do you realize the magnitude of your failure? It’s not just numbers, Stella. It’s your credibility—what’s left of it, anyway.”

The words sliced through Stella like a blade. Her knuckles turned white as she fought to keep her composure.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed someone shifting uncomfortably in his seat—David.

David was a senior analyst, brilliant yet reserved, never one to get involved in office politics. But right now, his sharp brown eyes were watching her, a flicker of concern hidden behind his usual stoic expression.

She had always felt something strange about David—like he saw more than he let on. He never spoke much to her, yet he was always… present. Quietly noticing. Quietly admiring.

But now wasn’t the time to think about that.

Patricia leaned back, her expression smug. “I want a full report on how this happened and a mitigation plan. You’ll present it to the board tomorrow morning.” She folded her hands. “This is your last chance to prove you belong here.”

Stella nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, Patricia.”

As she stood to leave, her gaze briefly met David’s. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes held something unspoken—a quiet reassurance.

And for the first time in a long time, Stella felt like maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she thought.