Chapter 40

Ava's pov

'How is that even possible. How could they possibly think you are capable of such a thing' Emma shouted equally as angry as I was.

We were currently on video call; I had told her about being fired from my job and how I am being accused of something I have no hand in.

'And Me. Morgan was there and didn't say anything! This is absolutely demented. He of all people should know that the idea would not dare to cross your mind' Emma one of my good friends yelled through the screen.

She looked furious and simply couldn't fathom the idea.

'If they wanted you out, they could have just said. Instead of adding money laundering to it. Now what's going to happen?'

Before I could answer another caller joined our conversation.

'Megan nice of you to join us, you're late' Emma exclaimed but I could sense some hostility in her voice.

'What is going on why do you look angry?' Megan asked completely ignoring Emma and cutting right to the chase.

'I got fired'

'You got what?'

'She said she got fired keep up'

'I heard her the first time, I was just in shock' Megan utter back equally as agitated.

'What happened? You just got the job' she said in complete confusion.

'They accused me of money laundering, and I could be facing charges as a result. I didn't do anything at all. I'm completely innocent in this'

'I believe you' Megan said trying her best to console me through the screen.

'You're her friend that's what you're supposed to do' Emma exclaimed rolling her eyes.

The interaction between Emma and Megan is extremely hostile. The tension between them is so thick and unavoidable.

I was about to bring it up when Megan spoke once again 'get over yourself. You can see that she's hurting. Stop being petty'

Before Emma could speak, I interrupted 'could you two stop, whatever disagreement you have sort it out. I'm dealing with is bigger issue than you both of you constantly bickering over unimportant things'

I was beyond frustrated. I wish they could just get over themselves just this once. I want to vent but I also need advice on what to do.

'Sorry, you're right this is bigger than us' Emma agreed looking guilty as she spoke.

'What are you going to do and how can we help' Megan asked

'I need to at least try and get evidence to clear my name. I need to prove that I did not have a hand in the money laundering as I'm being accused of. The question is how do I get the evidence that would do clear my name'

'What about Mr. Morgan what has he said about all this?' Megan asked again

'He was there when she got fired. She wasn't fired by him, but he was in the room with the board of directors so it's a cause of guilty by association' Emma explained to Megan

'I'm not entirely convinced. He employed her so if anything, he would be the one to fire her. If the board of directors had to do it and he didn't say a word perhaps he did not have a choice, or he was out-numbered'

'He's the executive director. He should have the finally say in everything'

'In normal circumstances yes, but if it's a serious case such as money laundering, they don't take into consideration of just one person's opinion. It's a matter of how many people vote in favor of one decision' Megan further explains.

Which reminded me of what he tried to explain when he came here yesterday.

'He was at my place yesterday' I suddenly said breaking my short silence 'I was too overwhelmed to truly listen to him, but he did mention he was out-numbered, and he wasn't aware of what was happening beforehand. He told me he was made aware of this situation minutes before I was'

'Exactly, he may have been in the room, but he could have had a completely different view of the decision that was made'

'That doesn't prove anything. He is still just as guilty' Emma spoke not convinced with the idea that Mr. Morgan could be a victim in all of this.

'Of course, there are a few things he did wrong, for example not speaking out but he may have not spoken out or as much to avoid claims of favoritism ' Megan continued to speak on her theory of what could have occurred.

'If he spoke up and constantly kept defending Ava. The board members would perhaps think, or it would confirm to them that there is something other than a platonic or business relationship going on between Ava and Mr. Morgan' Megan adds.

Her evaluation of the situation could be correct and perhaps I was too blinded by anger to even see his true intentions. I might have let the feeling of being betrayed cloud my judgement.

'I honestly think he is your best option to solving this perplexing matter. He knows the company; he can have access to information you can't. At least hear his side of the story before concluding if he's a bad person or not'

'He is a bad person period point blank' Emma spoke after hearing what Megan had to say.

'I'm not saying if he is or not. I'm just stating that he deserves to have his side of the story fully explained before you conclude'

'Ava, what do you think? From my view point it's best to start with him first before figuring out what else to do. These people are powerful, you also need a powerful force too'

Megan was truly making me see things in a different light. She has always had the give of seeing situations for more than what is presented to us.

Emma on the other hand has always just accepted what is being shown to her. She doesn't think they may be more to situations than what meets the eye.

They were both great in their own way, however.

'You're right, I'll text him. He has been trying to get in contact with me, but I've been ignoring each one. I think I should at least allow him to further explain himself with only the two of us in the room'

'Do that, let us know what happens. You're not alone in this' Megan encouraged through the video call.

'Yes, definitely let us know don't go M.I.A like you always do' Emma warned.

'I'll keep you two informed' I spoke trying to muster up a smile but failed miserably.

I looked at the time to see it was six past seven. It is probably best I text him now before it's too late.

'I will call you two tomorrow; I'm going to invite him over so that we can discuss, and I can give him a chance to explain himself'

'Alright take care. Don't let anger control your judgement. Try and have an open mind. I know it's hard but try' Megan advices once again

'Okay I'll try. Talk to you tomorrow'

'Bye' they both said before ending the call.

I picked up my phone that I had previously placed on the kitchen table and texted Aiden.

I told him to come by my place for us to talk about the events that took place yesterday.

I don't want to be angry anymore but it's extremely difficult when I remember the events that have taken place.

I decided to make myself some tea to calm myself while I wait for Aiden to arrive.

I filled the kettle with cold water from the tap and turned on the switch to allow the water to boil.

I picked up a cup and place a bag of green tea into it.

Once the water was boiled, I poured it into the cup watching how the water turned green as a result of the tea bag being soaked.

I placed the kettle down and picked up my cup instead. I let out a sign as the warmth from the cup warmed my fingertips.

As I was about to sit down, I heard a knock on the door.

Must be Aiden I thought before making my way towards the door.

My suspicion was confirmed when I opened the door and saw Aiden standing there.

'Hello' I was first to speak as we stood there staring at each other. I couldn't help but notice how disheveled his appearance was.

'Ava'

I opened the door to wider let him in.

'How have you been?' Aiden ask as he made his way into my apartment.

'The worst' I wasn't in the mood to sugar coat anything. I felt awful and stagnant. It felt like there was no coming out of this, yet I didn't want to give up.

'Ava, I am extremely sorry for what you're being put through right now. I don't know how to express how sorry I feel knowing that you didn't do any of this, yet the entire blame is on you'

I wanted to glare at him, continue to be angry at him but I couldn't get myself to be. My instincts tell me that he's being completely honest with me and there are no hidden intentions.

'I want to know what else you were about to say yesterday' I responded not waiting to dwell on the apologies any longer.

He pulled out a chair and sat down 'I have a few suspicions of my own. Nothing is set and stone, but I have noticed some odd incidents and I want to make you aware of them'

'I made a few changes in the office since yesterday. Maxwell as you know is Susan boyfriend, he now works with me'

I listened to Aiden attentively waiting for him to further explain what he knew.

'I have my suspicion on Susan for a number of reasons so I thought since Maxwell is her boyfriend there might be something he knows or has noticed'

'That's a good point but why would Susan go through the trouble of doing all this. What does she have to gain and how is she able to assess the company accounts?'

I had so many questions running through my mind. Susan has crossed my mind a few times during the aftermath of me being fired but what would be her motive.

'That I'm unclear of. I have noticed how she tries to compete with you at times' Aiden added.

'Me, why would she want to compete with me?' I asked shocked by that revelation.

'It might stem from the fact that she applied to be my personal assistance at the same time you did but since you are more qualified for the job you were chosen. I believe she thought she would get it since she already worked for the company, but the thing is, she did not have the skills nor the education' Aiden confessed leaving me shocked by the newfound information.

Susan has never mentioned that she applied for the P.A. position. I have always thought she loved her job as a secretary for the most part.

I didn't know nor did it cross my mind she wanted to become Mr. Morgan's PA.

'That confirms a few things. How she is always trying to be close to me and know everything about my life. I took it as her wanting to be my friend since we were working on the same office floor and we are similar in age'

'Perhaps she's the inside source that the magazine mentioned' Aiden commented adding more fuel to the fire.

My eyes lit up slightly at the possibility 'it would make sense. Apart from you she is the closest person to me at the office. She could have been trying to tarnish my name, get me fired so she can take my position'

'That's an interesting theory, that could have been another motive of hers. When I rang serval departments and well know people in the publishing industry asking who the source was, they could not say a word'

'From that I conclusion that Susan is not working on this alone. She does not that power to have her identity anonymous because the media is always looking to start drama so disclosing who gave the information would do just that. There has to be someone else involved' Aiden continues thinking deeply on the matter.

'Who else does she have connections to?' Maxwell for one because he is her boyfriend.

'That's about the end. I can't connect anyone else' Aiden let out a sign.

'I also Suspect Susan was the reason why I had to go to the hospital'

As if sparking his attention further Aiden leaned closer towards me 'What makes you think that?'

'I am yet to get my results, so I can't confirm but I have my theories. On that particular day Susan came to work extremely early which was unusual for her. Her excuse was she woke up early so she decided to get ready early and come to work to get a head start on her day'

I took a deep breath in and continued recalling the memories I had 'she got coffee for me as she knows that I usually drink coffee in the morning but I don't buy it from the cafe anymore as I used to instead I made it in the kitchen at the office. Accepting it as a nice gesture I took it and went to my office to begin my day before you arrived'

I looked at Aiden as he looked back at me listening to every single word, hesitant to blink in case he missed a word.

'I noticed there was something different, the coffee tasted different but when I brought it to her attention, she told me it was from a new cafe that was opened around her area. I paid it no mind as it could very much be true'

'Once I was in my office, I started arranging your schedule for the week. A few moments had passed when I felt something was wrong. I ignored it thinking it would go away'

'When I got to your office was when I felt the full effect of whatever that was put into the coffee'

'So, you're implying that Susan must have put something in your drink?'

'I strongly believe she could have but there is more'

I continued 'one of the days I was off work I decided it would be best to visit the restaurant to inform them of their negligence as I didn't want anyone else to experience what I did if they hadn't already'

'When I got there and spoke to the manager, she did not believe I felt sick because of their coffee. She then asked me if Susan had ordered one for herself and I said yes as I remembered smelling coffee on her breath that morning. The cafe manager than suggested I reconsider Susan as a friend as she might have been the one that caused my sickness' I concluded.

'There are too many coincidences leading to Susan. A private investigator might need to be involved. I think we have enough evidence to start searching. If accusing you of money is her doing, then she cannot be the only one involved'

'I just want this to all go away' I whispered feeling extremely exhausted thinking about the situation.

'I know you do. If we act fast and be vigilant, we can get our answers soon and don't tell Damien any of this. The less people that know the better'

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Chapter 40!! Another milestone has been hit. We are slowly unraveling the secrets. I cant wait for you guys to find out what's really going on. I swear I cant type fast enough but we will eventually get there. Thank you for all the support so far. I will have a new chapter up on Wednesday. See you all then.