A reckoning at the Alter

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Everyone at the company has been eagerly awaiting Carol’s arrival at the office. The party started long ago, and although she’s the star of the day, nobody wants to ask her to come, hoping to keep it a surprise.

“Boss, how long will it take for her to get here?” one of the employees asks Damien, who’s also attending the party.

Damien himself is puzzled. The party began sharply at 8 a.m., and Carol left the house before 7, right after breakfast. He assumed she’d already arrived, but she’s nowhere to be found.

“James, try to find out why she hasn’t arrived yet,” Damien says calmly, though the deep frown on his face shows he’s not pleased.

James nods and steps away to a quiet spot to message Carol. But his attention is drawn to Tracy, the temporary assistant helping Carol with her training.

“Good morning, Mr. James!” Tracy, an HR team member who’s been assisting Carol, smiles and heads toward her office.

“Good morning. Aren’t you attending the