Max Rothchild stared numbly at the glowing computer screen, the numbers and letters blurring as if mocking him. The balance displayed on his account—negative $123,498.56—pierced through his chest like a bullet. He exhaled shakily, fingers trembling against the keyboard. A cruel joke, perhaps, or a glitch. But the cold reality was far worse.
His office, a cramped corner cubicle in the software firm NXT Systems, seemed unbearably tight. Colleagues bustled around him, oblivious to his quiet panic. Only hours ago, Max had been proud, confident, and on the brink of a breakthrough—a new security algorithm that would revolutionize their trading systems. But now, all of it felt meaningless, replaced by disbelief and dread.
"Max," a soft voice startled him. He spun around, nearly knocking his chair over. It was Ellie Marshall, his closest friend in the company. Her brow knitted in worry. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Something's wrong," Max managed, his voice hoarse and barely audible. He pointed weakly at the screen. Ellie stepped closer, her eyes widening as she took in the red, damning numbers.
"What is this?" she whispered, eyes darting between the screen and Max's stricken face.
"Everything's gone. My savings, my stocks… the algorithm we built together—it was used against me," Max stammered, reality hitting him in waves of nausea.
Ellie's face paled, lips parting slightly in disbelief. "That's impossible. We triple-checked every security measure."
"Someone inside must've sabotaged me." Max's voice grew steadier, anger rising to meet the panic. "Only someone from management could bypass our protocols."
As if summoned by Max's accusation, his phone buzzed. A message from his manager, Gregory Adams, lit up the screen: "Conference room. Now."
The walk down the sterile corridor felt like a march toward execution. Gregory, usually brash and authoritative, stood quietly at the head of the sleek, polished table. Beside him was Samantha Blythe, the VP of Finance—her gaze sharp and penetrating.
"Sit," Gregory commanded coldly, gesturing to an empty chair. Max obeyed silently, heart hammering painfully in his chest.
"We have evidence you've been misappropriating funds," Samantha began without preamble. Her voice was detached, as if discussing someone else's misfortune. "Specifically, unauthorized trades on behalf of company accounts."
"What?" Max's voice cracked with shock and outrage. "That's impossible. I built the systems—I designed the security."
Gregory shook his head with a calculated disappointment. "Precisely why this is so troubling. You were trusted implicitly. Given your access, the board has no choice but to terminate your employment immediately and begin legal proceedings."
"Gregory—" Max started desperately, but Samantha's cold interruption stopped him short.
"Save your breath, Mr. Rothchild. The decision is final. Security will escort you out."
Max stood abruptly, fists clenched, eyes blazing. Betrayal scorched through him, sharp and consuming. "I didn't do this."
Gregory stared back unflinchingly, his voice dripping with condescension. "Tell it to your lawyer."
Two security guards appeared silently at the door, expressions blank and uncompromising. Max turned slowly, humiliation mingling bitterly with his anger. Ellie watched helplessly from a distance, her face stricken with sorrow. Max caught her gaze and tried to nod reassuringly, but his strength faltered. The weight of shame was too great.
As he stepped outside into the bustling city street, the chaotic hum of New York felt distant, unreal. The chilly autumn wind slapped his face, forcing clarity into his stunned mind.
He had lost everything in mere moments—his job, his reputation, his future.
Max raised his eyes, glancing up at the towering glass façade of NXT Systems. High above, Gregory stood by the expansive windows, his silhouette a shadow against the sterile corporate lights. Their eyes met briefly, Gregory's smirk unmistakable even at this distance.
The fire inside Max grew, crystallizing into a dark promise.
"You'll regret this," Max whispered to the cold wind. "I swear you will."