Amelia’s POV

The email arrives at 9:47 AM on a Wednesday.

Ms.Hart, please report to Mr. James Hartwell’s office at your earliest convenience.

I stare at the words, coffee going cold in my hand. In corporate speak, “earliest convenience” means immediately, and a summons to the executive floor is never good news.

“Everything okay?” Sarah, my colleague asks, passing my cubicle.

“Fine.” The lie comes automatically. “Just need to run upstairs for a minute.”

The elevator ride to ...