Chapter 4: The Secret My Sister Buried
The folder sat between us like a warning.
I stared at Vanessa’s name printed across the top page.
For a few seconds, I couldn’t process what I was seeing.
My brain kept trying to find another explanation.
Another Vanessa.
Another person with the same name.
Anything that would make this make sense.
Because the alternative was too painful.
My sister had not just been jealous of my success.
She had been connected to the company before me.
And she had hidden it.
“Claire,” Adrian said quietly.
I looked up.
The CEO of Meridian Dynamics was no longer speaking like a businessman addressing a potential employee.
He was speaking like someone who knew he was about to reveal something that would hurt me.
“I want you to understand something first,” he said.
“Your position with Meridian has nothing to do with Vanessa.””
I nodded slowly.
“Then why is she in this folder?””
Adrian opened it.
The first document was a consulting agreement.
Vanessa Bennett.
Meridian Dynamics.
Six months earlier.
My eyes scanned the page.
“She worked with Meridian?””
“Yes.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“How?””
“Your sister was hired through a marketing consultancy program.””
I laughed softly.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
“Marketing?””
Adrian nodded.
“She pitched herself as someone who understood brand development, social media strategy, and public communication.””
That sounded exactly like Vanessa.
She had always been good at making people believe she was better than she actually was.
“She told everyone she was going to become a major executive,” I whispered.
Adrian didn’t react.
He simply turned another page.
“This agreement ended earlier than expected.””
I looked at the termination date.
Three months ago.
The same month Vanessa lost her job.
“Why?””
Adrian was silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
“Because she took credit for work she didn’t complete.””
My fingers tightened around the paper.
“What?””
“Meridian was preparing a campaign connected to our new engineering initiatives. Vanessa was responsible for coordinating several pieces of the project.””
He paused.
“She missed deadlines.””
I looked down.
That part didn’t surprise me.
Vanessa had always struggled when effort was required after the excitement disappeared.
“But why was she fired?””
Adrian leaned back.
“Because missing deadlines was not the biggest issue.””
My stomach dropped.
“What was?””
“She blamed another employee.””
The room felt colder.
“Who?””
Adrian looked directly at me.
“You.””
I froze.
“What?””
“She claimed your engineering report contained inaccurate information. She said your technical findings created confusion for her team.””
I stared at him.
“That’s impossible.””
“I know.””
His answer was immediate.
“How?””
“Because our engineering department reviewed your work. Your report was correct.””
I looked away.
Suddenly everything made sense.
The strange comments Vanessa made after I received my offer.
The way she suddenly hated hearing about Meridian.
The way she accused me of thinking I was better.
She wasn’t angry because I succeeded.
She was angry because my success exposed her failure.
“She tried to damage my reputation?””
Adrian nodded.
“She attempted to shift responsibility.””
I swallowed.
“And you knew?””
“We knew.””
“Then why did you still hire me?””
A small smile appeared on his face.
“Because the person she tried to blame was the same person our engineers recommended.””
I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or hurt.
Both emotions existed at the same time.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?””
“Because I wanted to separate your achievements from her mistakes.””
That answer surprised me.
Most people would have used Vanessa’s behavior as gossip.
A weapon.
A reason to create drama.
But Adrian had protected my opportunity.
“Then why tell me now?””
He looked at the folder.
“Because what happened at graduation was not random.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“Vanessa knew you had a contract with Meridian.””
“Yes.””
“She knew your position was secure.””
“Yes.””
“She also knew she had no influence over your employment anymore.””
I nodded slowly.
“So?””
Adrian’s expression became serious.
“She contacted someone inside Meridian two days before your graduation.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
“We are still investigating.””
The room went silent.
“She wanted information about your contract.””
I looked down.
“She was trying to sabotage me.””
“Yes.””
The confirmation hurt.
Not because I hadn’t suspected it.
Because hearing it from someone else made it real.
For years, I had defended Vanessa.
I had told myself she was insecure.
That she was stressed.
That she didn’t mean the things she said.
But this was different.
This was intentional.
“She’s my sister,” I whispered.
Adrian’s expression softened.
“I know.””
“I don’t understand how someone who loves me could do this.””
He didn’t answer immediately.
Maybe because there was no easy answer.
Finally, he said, “Sometimes people don’t hate your success. They hate what your success forces them to admit about themselves.””
I looked at the folder again.
And for the first time, I wondered if Vanessa had ever really wanted me to succeed.
Or if she only wanted me to succeed as long as I stayed behind her.
Adrian closed the folder.
“There’s something else.””
I looked up.
“More?””
“Yes.””
He placed another document in front of me.
This one was different.
It wasn’t a business record.
It was a security report.
“What is this?””
“An incident report.””
I read the first line.
My heart sank.
Unauthorized access attempt.
My name was listed below it.
“When did this happen?””
“Last night.””
I looked at him.
“After graduation?””
“Yes.””
The room suddenly felt too quiet.
“Who tried to access my employee profile?””
Adrian didn’t answer.
He didn’t have to.
The look on his face told me.
May you like
I already knew.
Vanessa.
