Eldar

You were standing by the panoramic window when another figure flashed in the reflection behind Artem. Eldar, your company's financial analyst, stood frozen in the office doorway. In your "past" life, you considered him an arrogant, boorish man. Back then, he'd tried to warn you about Artem's schemes, but you, foolish and infatuated, had shown him the door.

"You brought this loser into our house?" Artem nodded disgustedly at Eldar. "You've completely lost touch with reality."

You didn't move. You looked at Eldar through your reflection. He left that time, and a month later you were gone. Now his gaze was different—not contemptuous, but wary, studying.

"He's here at my invitation," you snapped. "Eldar found those 'errors' in the reports that you called accidental."

Eldar took a step forward, keeping his distance. His voice was low and calm.

"Artem, security is downstairs waiting for you to gather your personal belongings. Your pass was blocked five minutes ago."

Artem rushed towards you, his face distorted with rage:

"You think this office plankton will protect you? You're nothing without me!"

You didn't even flinch when Eldar silently blocked Artyom's path, standing between you like a wall.

"She'll handle it," Eldar said quietly, looking Artyom straight in the eye. "But you should start looking for a good lawyer."

When the door slammed behind Artyom, a heavy silence fell over the room. You felt your fingers tremble treacherously as the adrenaline drained away, leaving a void.

Eldar didn't rush to console you. He simply walked up to the table and placed the folder in front of you.

"This is just the beginning. If you're really determined to see this through, we'll have to work twelve hours a day. Are you ready?"

You looked at his concentrated face. In a previous life, she would have burst into tears. Now she nodded slowly.

"I'm ready. And this time I'll listen to your every word, Eldar."