“Touch her again and you’re dead,” the mafia boss warns after seeing his superior touch her.

“Touch her again and you’re dead,” the mafia boss warns after seeing his superior touch her.

Fear does not always come under the form of a cry. Sometimes she doesn’t than paralyze. Clara Hara Haes le understood when Richard Davis approached. The Northide Logistics premises were almost empty, lit by lamps cold. Claraara stared at the sheet of calculation, trying to appear indifferent.

 “Are you still working?” asked Richard with that smile that never reached his eyes. “I have to complete quarterly reports, she replied. Clara Hara was 26 years old, but she carried an old fatigue. She remained in this position because health insurance helped pay the treatment of Chloé, his younger sister, who lived in a clinic specialized.

 His expenses depended on this salary. Richard knew it. It was for this reason that he exploited his insecurity. That evening he had been drinking. Clara Hara smelled it when Richard leaned over the screen. “You must learn to relax, he said. We could discuss elsewhere. My sister is waiting for me calls him.

 Clara took her bag and tried to get up, but Richard remained on his path. 5 minutes won’t change anything. Before she could respond, it clicked from the main door was heard. Firm footsteps crossed the hallway. Richard immediately backed away when Leo Costello appeared between the partitions. Leo was a discreet owner. He did not need to raise the track.

 He wore a wet overcoat and observed the scene calmly. “Clara is leaving”, Leo declared. Richard tried to laugh. We were simply analyzing the report. “The report can wait. Walk away.” His firmness was sufficient. Richard came out of the box muttering an apology. Leo called the security guard the building and ordered the director to return your badge and leave the offices.

 It was obvious that Richard wouldn’t come back. Clara remained still, clutching her bag. “Take your coat,” said Leo. “I’m going take you home. My car is in the parking lot.” Arthur leaves will occupy. She hesitated. She knew the rumors about Leo. Norside was a transport company, but some cases did not appear in the registers.

 Clara Hara avoided to ask questions. She had to survive. Leo noticed her distrust. You don’t owe me anything,” he said. I want just assure me that you will arrive home safely. In the vehicle, Clara Hara looked at the lights of Boston poured on the wet windows. For several minutes, no one spoke. Arthur drove in silence while Leo remained seated next to of her, carefully maintaining a certain distance.

 “You think you lost your job,” he said. “I think about Chloe’s health insurance. You haven’t lost it. Tomorrow you will start in another company. Clara Hara quickly turned to him. How so ? Leo explained that Apex Global Freight needed a director of logistics. He had examined his work and discovered that Clara Hara solved problems that Richard was dissembling.

 The new position would offer a higher salary, best hours and coverage complete medical. “I have nothing accepted,” she replied. It is for this reason you will receive a contract. Read everything. Then decide. When the car stopped in front of the small building where Clara Hara lived, Leo gave him an envelope. The clinic Chloé will not interrupt any treatment while you study the proposal.

 You paid something thing? I guaranteed nothing would be suspended. Clara Ara clutched the envelope. Powerful people don’t give back never service without waiting for something thing in return. Leo held her gaze. So, consider this a investment in a person competent. The next morning, Clara Hara had not only slept 2 hours.

 She opened the contract on the kitchen table, surrounded by unpaid bills and sound of broken faucet. The position was real, director of logistics. The salary would allow him to change apartment, buy the armchair electricity that Chloé needed and breathe without calculating each piece. Despite this, she did not sign immediately.

 Arthur arrived at cheers and first took her to the clinic. Chloe was near the window, smiling, while a therapist adjusted his exercises. “You look different,” Chloe remarked. “I received a work proposal. In the business of this fearful man, Claraara was surprised. Did you know? I saw how exhausted you came home. You always seemed to be waiting for something bad happens.

Clarara took her sister’s hands. I don’t I won’t go back there. Chloe smiles with relief. So accept it new job as long as it respect. This sentence accompanied Clara Hara to the global Apex building. The headquarters occupied the upper floors a glass tower overlooking the port. Everything seemed organized, silent and effective.

 The receptionist knew already her name and led her to the management office. Leo finished a call when she entered. Clara Hara posed the contract on the desk. Before signing, I must establish certain conditions. He hung up and indicated the chair to her, but she remained standing. I will work because I am qualified, not because you have decided to save myself.

 I neither want hidden gifts, nor mysterious favors, nor future demands in return. I will also not participate in the less illegal activity. Leo listened without interrupting him. Anything else? Chloe must not be used to control me. Sound expression became serious. I won’t do never that. Richard also said that he wanted to help me.

 I am not Richard. Claraara took a deep breath. I still don’t know who you are. Leo brought the contract closer, opened it to the last page and added a clause to the hand. Clara Hara would be free to leave at any time, debt-free, penalty-free and without obligation to reimburse the amounts paid to the clinic. "Now you have it in writing," he said. She read every word.

 “Kai why do you trust me so much ? Because for a year I saw you correct mistakes without humiliating person, protect employees who do not could not defend themselves and maintain this subsidiary in activity while Richard received the compliments. The skill can be taught, integrity no. Clara Hara signed.

 During the following weeks, she transformed the department. She reduced delays, renegotiated contracts and identified waste that no one had noticed. Leo kept his distance, but it sometimes appeared with tearoom, reminding her that she had the habit of forgetting to eat lunch. Clara Hara remained suspicious, even if she began to understand that he respected the rules she had established.

 Chloe received his new chair. The clinic increased the number of sessions physiotherapy. For the first time for years, Clara Hara slept a whole night. Six weeks later, while she was working late, she discovered a strange difference in road records ships carried fabrics Italians, but their consumption of fuel indicated cargo much heavier.

 Clara compared the manifest, the conditions weather and port reports. The numbers revealed that someone concealed goods not declared on board the appendix vessels. She printed all the documents and headed towards Leo’s office. Two men found themselves in front of the door, Arthur and Dominique, an executive who smiled too much and always treated Clara Hara like she got her post by favor.

“The boss is busy,” says Dominique. “So he’s going to be busy with a problem more serious”, she replied. “Who uses its ships to transport clandestine cargo.” The door opened. “Come in.” Hara declared, Leo ordered. She placed the documents on the office and showed the differences. The official cargo does not explain this weight.

 Someone falsified the registers in Naples. Leo examined the signatures. His gaze stopped on a name. At that moment, Clara Hara understood new position would not only a professional opportunity. He would be also the point of entry towards dangers that the company was hiding silently for years. Dominique Dominique appeared at the door trying to maintain an expression calm.

 His eyes were directed immediately to the documents placed in front of Leo. Clara Hara noticed this change and understood that she had discovered more than a mistake accountant. “Is there a problem?” asked Dominique. Leo turned slowly the page which contained the authorization of the port of Naples. Did you sign these manifest? Dominique approached the office.

 I sign dozens of documents every week. This does not prove nothing. Clara Ara opened another sheet calculation on the tablet and showed the fuel readings. Four trips have presented exactly the same diagram. The declared cargo did not justify the weight. Someone took advantage of our vessels to conceal equipment without authorization.

Dominique laughed but his voice seemed nervous. She’s been here for six weeks and she already thinks she knows the whole company. I know the figures, Clara replied. And the numbers don’t get nervous when questioned. Arthur closed the door. Dominic the looked then looked at Leo understanding that he couldn’t just walk out.

Leo didn’t raise his voice. Explain this difference. This must be an error port. The port has sent the documents originals, says Clarahara. The files were modified at headquarters. The digital authorization came from your terminal. The silence became heavy. Dominique walked to the window.

 He then accused Clara Hara of having manipulated the registers to impress Leo and take his place, claiming that his promotion had created resentment among executives. Clara Hara doesn’t react. I can show each modification. the time at which it was carried out and the address of the computer used. Leo pressed a button located on his desktop.

 Two security team members enter. Dominique will be suspended until the conclusion of our investigation, he declared. You will believe her rather than me?” asked Dominique. “I I will believe the test.” When the security officers approached, Dominique tried to grab the file. Clara Hara removed the documents before so that he can touch them.

 Arthur took him away from the office. There was no struggle. Only the certainty that Dominique had lost control. Before to go out, he pointed at Clara at finger. “You don’t understand what you are committed. people more powerful people are behind all this. So tell us who they are, Leo replied.

 Dominique remained silent and was taken outside. Clara Hara knew that this discovery could also reach people external to the company. Clara Hara released the air she was holding. His hands shook slightly, even though she was trying to hide it. “Are you doing well ?” Leo asked. “Yes, I have to make sure other ships are not not compromised. Not now, Leo.

 If he there are other modified routes, every minute counts. He observed his tired face. You discovered a network that my listeners didn’t have noticed. You have nothing left to prove today. Clara Ara gathered spreadsheets. I don’t try to prove something. I try to prevent the company from collapsing. This answer seemed to touch him.

 Leo brought tea. While she was drinking, he telephoned the port, suspended the departures and ordered a check of digital access. Arthur returned with information. Dominique received payments from a company ghost installed in Malta. Buyers planned to hide machines stolen from fabric shipments, leaving all responsibility to Apex.

He wanted to destroy our reputation, concludes Clara Hara, and force me to sell European roads added Leo. She examined the names linked to the shadow company. One of them appears in former negotiations with Northside. Richard? Not directly, but someone used their access to check our schedules. Leo stayed silent.

 Clara Ar understood that he criticized for not having removed Richard rather. “You couldn’t planned everything,” she said. “I should have understand that Northside was vulnerable.” “You understand what happened to me.” “Too late!” Clara Hara put down his cup. “It wasn’t too much late. You arrived, you took one decision and you changed my situation.

 Now we are going to do the same for the company. It was the first time she spoke about them like a team. Leo noticed this. We will do it. I signed a contract. Besides, someone should prevent you from making decisions only out of anger. A slight smile appeared on his face. At over the next two days, Clara Hara discovered three employees linked to Dominique, blocked the payments and reorganized access.

 Leo followed his recommendations, surprising the executives, unaccustomed to seeing him share his authority. The investigation revealed that Richard had sold Dominique the timetables ships and customer names. Leo could have resolved this discreetly, but Clara Hara insisted on transmitting the evidence to the authorities. If we hide the crime, we will stay prisoners of the same cycle, she explained.

 [clears throat] And if the investigation exposes other business, then choose business that you want to defend. Leo looked the port. Clara Hara does not see a man invincible, but someone who was tired of supporting an empire built on secrets. “You ask me everything change, he said. I tell you that you can build something that will not need to be hidden.

 This that afternoon, Léo returned to the authorities and terminated the dubious contract. This decision would cost him millions, but it would protect employees and customers. Richard and Dominique should answer for fraud intrusion into systems computer and illegal transportation. A week later, the press announced that Apex had prevented an operation international.

 On his decision, the name by Clara Hara was not mentioned. She preferred to work. When she returned visiting Chloe on Saturday, she found her sister training with her new armchair in the garden clinic. “You’re smiling,” Chloe noticed. Clagara touched her own face, surprise. I [clears throat] believe that yes. It’s because of the work.

” “In part.” Chloe raised an eyebrow. And the other part is called Leo. Clara tried to deny it but ended up laughing. He is complicated. You too. On Sunday, Léo showed up at the clinic with flowers and crosswords for Chloe. Without trying to impress him, he sat next to her and listened to her stories.

 When he left, Clara Ara accompanied Leo to the parking lot. Thank you for coming. Chloe wanted to meet the complicated man. She said that. She also said that you do not grant easily your confidence. Clara Hara crossed his arms. She talks too much. Leo approached while retaining enough space for her to decide. The investigation is complete.

 You are free to exit Apex if you have changed of opinion. Are you trying to fire me? I remind you that your choices still belong. Clara Hara understood the fear she carried in her since that night at Northside. Leo asked for neither gratitude nor obedience, nor silence. He offered her freedom. I’m going to stay, she said, but only once condition, which? Apex will become completely legit, no more cargo hidden, ghost companies or okay secrets.

 Leo observed the clinic building and inspired deeply. It will take time. I am specialist in the reorganization of failing systems. He smiles. So, It seems I found the right one person. Clara Hara held out her hand. Leo took it carefully as if it gesture was a bigger deal that all the documents they had signed.

 She realized that she did not have needs to be saved. She had just need an opportunity to start choosing again. Together they walked to the car, without notice that on the other side of the street, someone was watching them. Inside a dark vehicle, a man photographed them and sent the image to an unknown contact. The message does not contained only one sentence.

 Dominic failed, but we can still use sister. Clara Ara noticed the vehicle before it enters the car. Instead of panicking, she photographed the license plate and warned Arthur. The police intercepted the observer when he approached the clinic. Messages recovered proved that Dominique’s associates planned to put pressure on Léo by using Chloe.

 Thanks to the evidence, they were all arrested. A few months later, Apex was become a transparent company, recognized for its new practices. Clara Hara took over as president of operations while Léo abandoned his obscure activities. Chloe found self-confidence and independence. Clara was not saved by a powerful man.