Lucy followed him.
Her heartbeat loud in her ears.
The hallway was silent.
People moved out of the way before he even reached them.
No one looked up.
That alone—
Was enough to tell her—
He wasn't just "a boss."
They stopped at a door.
He opened it.
Walked in.
Lucy hesitated.
Then followed.
The door closed behind her.
Soft.
But it sounded final.
He didn't sit.
Didn't speak.
He walked to the table and dropped a file on it.
Then he looked at her.
"Stand."
Lucy stopped immediately.
Her fingers tightened by her side.
He pressed a button on the desk.
"Come."
Minutes later—
The door opened.
The supervisor walked in.
Lucy almost didn't recognize her.
The same woman who threatened her—
Now couldn't even lift her head.
"Sir…" her voice was low. Careful.
He didn't respond.
He opened the file slowly.
Flipped a page.
Closed it.
"Two weeks."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
The supervisor swallowed.
"Yes, sir."
"Two weeks," he repeated.
"And nothing."
Silence.
"Explain."
The supervisor's lips parted.
But nothing came out immediately.
"Sir… we— we traced the access log. Her ID was used that night."
Lucy stepped forward quickly.
"I didn't—"
He raised his hand slightly.
She stopped.
Instantly.
The room went still.
He didn't even look at her.
"Evidence," he said.
The supervisor nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir. The system shows her entry, and—"
"Shows," he cut in quietly.
Silence.
"Not proves."
The supervisor lowered her head further.
"Yes, sir."
He finally looked at Lucy.
That gaze—
It wasn't just looking.
It felt like pressure.
"You."
Lucy's throat went dry.
"I didn't take anything," she said quickly.
"I swear. I don't even know what the files are about. I just clean. That's all I do."
He watched her.
No reaction.
"Everyone says that."
Her chest tightened.
"I'm telling the truth," she said, her voice breaking slightly.
"Please… I didn't do anything."
Silence.
Then he moved.
Slow steps.
Coming closer.
Lucy's breath hitched.
He stopped in front of her.
Not touching.
But close enough.
"If you're lying," he said quietly, "you won't just lose your job."
Lucy froze.
His voice didn't rise.
But it dropped deeper.
"You will lose everything connected to you."
Her eyes widened.
"Family included."
Her heart dropped.
"No…" she whispered.
"You think this is small?" he continued calmly.
"You think you walk in here, take what doesn't belong to you… and go home to eat with your family?"
Lucy shook her head quickly.
"I didn't take it—please, I didn't—"
"Then prove it."
Her voice broke.
"How? I don't even know where to start—"
"That is your problem."
Tears filled her eyes.
She turned quickly to the supervisor.
"Ma… please… tell him. You know me. I don't do things like this. Please help me talk to him—"
The supervisor stepped back immediately.
"Don't involve me," she said sharply, fear clear in her voice.
"This is your mess."
Lucy stared at her.
Shock.
Hurt.
"Ma please—"
"I said don't involve me!" the supervisor snapped, then quickly lowered her voice.
"Do you want me to lose my job too?"
Lucy's hands trembled.
She turned back to him.
Tears now falling freely.
"Please…" she said, her voice breaking completely.
"I'm begging you… I didn't do it. I'm just trying to survive. That's all I've been doing…"
Silence.
He watched her cry.
Without moving.
Without reacting.
Then—
He stepped back.
"Three days."
Lucy blinked.
"You have three days," he said.
"To prove you're not useless."
Her breath caught.
"If you fail," he added calmly, "I will handle it myself."
No emotion.
No hesitation.
Lucy understood.
He meant every word.
He turned away.
Already done.
"You can leave."
The supervisor didn't wait.
She rushed out.
Lucy stood there.
Still shaking.
"Go."
She flinched.
Then turned quickly.
And walked out.
The moment the door closed—
Her legs almost gave way.
She held the wall for support.
Her chest rising fast.
Three days.
Not just for her.
For her family.
And for the first time—
Lucy wasn't just scared of losing her job.
She was scared of him.