CHAPTER EIGHTY - A STEP TOO FAR

" With the board's backing, Max confronted Sophia in her office. She was in the middle of a phone call when he entered, her face lighting up with a smile that quickly faded as she saw his expression. "I'll have to call you back," she said into the phone, hanging up without waiting for a response. "Max, what can I do for you?" Max closed the door behind him, his face grim. "You can start by explaining why you've been accessing confidential files after hours and communicating with Marco Vernetti." Sophia's composure slipped for a moment before she regained control. "I don't know what you're talking about, Max. I've been working late, yes, but that's hardly a crime." "Cut the act, Sophia," Max said, his voice hard. "We've uncovered the program you used to plant false evidence against Ava. We know about your connection to Vernetti's shell company. It's over." Sophia's face drained of color. "You can't prove anything," she said, but her voice lacked conviction. "Actually, we can," Ma