“Who handled the records last night?”
Maria opened her mouth, but before she could speak, a staff member burst in.
“I’m sorry,” the young man said nervously, “but I found this.”
He held up a flash drive.
“I was cleaning the office. It fell from behind the cabinet.”
The auditors took it. They checked the contents.
The room grew tense.
Then one auditor looked up sharply.
“This transaction was edited late last night,” he said, “from this device.”
He turned the screen.
Maria’s name appeared.
Maria’s face drained of color.
“I—I was only trying to help,” she stammered.
Martins’ voice was ice. “Leave. Now.”
Maria fell to her knees crying.
Security escorted her out.
Claraara sank into her chair, shaking.
Martins placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
“You passed the test,” he said quietly.
But Maria’s eyes, as she was taken away, burned into Claraara’s memory.
This was not over.
That evening, Martins found Claraara in the garden.
“You could have lost everything today,” he said softly.
Claraara nodded. “I know.”
“I know you didn’t do it,” he said. “Because you stayed honest.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Martins took a deep breath.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Claraara looked up.
“My father insists you stay here permanently,” Martins said. “He says this is your home now.”
Claraara’s eyes filled with tears.
Before she could respond, Martins continued, “And I agree.”
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them. A feeling too big for words.
Martins reached for her hand.
Claraara didn’t pull away.
But before either of them could speak, Austin’s voice rang out from the house.
“Martins!” he shouted, sharp with fear.
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