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CHAPTER 5
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I felt like the world around me was spinning.
"Rose… Get this set of files to HR immediately.
Call Mr. O'Shea and speak to him about the proposal. I don't care what you do; just sell it.
Decline this invitation.
Stamp these files. Yes, I meant every single one."
Nathan had been barking orders nonstop; I felt exhausted. I've been on my feet all day.
The temptation overcame me again. I glanced at my watch; it was just past two.
I sighed frustratedly. Why couldn't the time speed up a bit? I grumbled as I stamped the thick sheet of paper.
Nathan had dumped them earlier; I was to stamp every single one. How was that possible? I'd wondered in shock as I stared at the pile; they were numbered in hundreds.
"Hey, you look beat; are you okay?" Justine suddenly stepped in. "I didn't see you come out for lunch."
I nodded wearily. "I've been up to my neck in this; he needs it ready before he goes."
We spoke in low tones,so Nathan wouldn't overhear us.
"What!?... But that's impossible." Justine stared at the thick pile in shock.
"Nothing's impossible, I muttered. I continued stamping it as I spoke.
"Why's he treating you like this? Even Clarice wasn't overworked like this." Justine sounded sympathetic.
"Ghost knows," I muttered.
Suddenly the office door opened, and Justine got to her feet hurriedly.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Nathan, I brought over the records you asked for." Justine gestured to the stack of files on the ground.
They looked really old, I thought, duststained and yellow from age.
"How many years ago?" Nathan asked.
Justine thought for a moment, "From 1997 back to 1943, but the MAB's are in the bank; we'd need your signature if you need those too."
Nathan waved his hands and said, "These will do."
He turned to me and said, "Rose, I' need you to go through these files, recalculate everything, audit it; I want it ready by tomorrow morning."
What!? My heart sank as I stared. Calculate all those financial records. And I still hadn't finished stamping the others.
"Sir…" Justine spoke up hesitantly.
"We have the more revised records; it would be easier to use those instead."
"No, I need to see the total estimations; I don't need the revised records.
"Uhh, Mr. Nathan," I spoke up too. I glanced at my watch and asked, "Can I take these files home? I don't think I'll be able to finish up before closing.
Its..." I glanced at the clock, "it's three thirty already."
"These files absolutely can't leave this building, Miss Rose."
Nathan walked out.
I sighed heavily as a wave of exhaustion suddenly came over me, how on earth.Was I supposed to get all this done by tomorrow morning?
Justine smiled bitterly. "No wonder Clarice looked relieved instead of sad when she was leaving; he's crazy." She lowered her voice as she spoke.
"I'll find a way around it," I said, not even believing my own words.
"I'd help, but I'm tied up too," Justine sighed. "I have to go."
What in heaven's name had I done to Nathan to deserve all this workload? I sat back in my chair defeatedly, my calm behavior from earlier totally gone.
I stared at the piles of files; I couldn't imagine being able to finish all that before it was time, unless... my eyes brightened, unless I slept in at the office.
"Hey, aren't you heading home?" Justine poked her head through the door.
I shook my head. I was totally concentrated on the task at hand.
"I'm sleeping in; just help me inform security I'll be in."
Justine nodded. She also agreed to bring me a change of clothes the next day.
And now, it was I alone,I thought to myself as I stared out at the darkening sky from Nathan's office.
It's time to get back to work.
I stamped away, my hands moving quickly, pushing one away after stamping while simultaneously pulling another one to stamp.
A few dozen to go... maybe eighry… thirty… a dozen… The last one is done.
I heaved a sigh of relief. My eyes felt heavy with sleep. Nows not the time, I thought resolutely. I glanced at the clock; it was past twelve.
Suddenly, my phone rang,startling me. It was Justine calling me on a video call.
"You look terrible." Justine smiled at me.
"I feel terrible and some," I chuckled. "I just finished stamping every single pay record there is in this company."
I flexed my fingers,trying to relax them.
"The previous MD was a sucker for old-fashioned things; most records are hard copies; things became inefficient; everything changed when Nathan became CEO."
I nodded. "I'm about to start on the records." Suddenly, an idea hit me: "Are you like doing something right now?"
"If you mean am I free enough to come back there, yes, I am. What's up?" Justine chuckled.
"I was wondering if I could just do a quick breakdown; the records for budget allocations and salary caps were all uploaded, right?"
"Yeah, its all on the server, why?" Justine said
"Could you help me? You'd just have to send the salary cap attached to each file, so it'll be easier for me to do the calculation." I said it pleadingly.
"Of course,let's get started." Justine didn't hesitate.
"I owe you chicken at Starbucks, Justine." I smiled excitedly.
We began, and Justine would send the salary cap and file number; this made it easier for me than fumbling about.
"All these expenses, who regulates them?" I frowned as I tapped at my system.
"Used to be some guy, Allan. He was DOF before the death of the previous MD; he and a few HOD's were sent packing when Nathan took over."
I stared. "The expenses from file 31136 are ridiculous the longer I look at it."
"Why? What do you mean?" Justine sounded puzzled.
"26 grand for just a corporate gift to some Hardtech launches? 90 grand for advertising? Thats ridiculous."
The amounts were outrageous; how could that be? Anyway, I'd just calculate everything and get the result.
Suddenly, I paused, and my eyes widened in shock.
"Justine?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
"When did you say the financial records were updated on the server?"
"I think it was November last year—bare a year ago, why?" Justine was startled.
"The receipts..." my heart pounded as I tapped some keys. "These receipts are dated April,but the figures were not the same thing. Who has access to these files?"
Justine went silent, probably typing away at her system.
"Nathan, you, three of the HOD's, and the DOF—anyone else would need signed permission to get them."
I thought for a moment, "When was Allan dismissed?"
"Allan?" Justine thought for a moment, "April I think it's been more than a year."
Justine's eyes widened suddenly. "You can't really be thinking that."
"Yes, Justine," I nodded, my voice trembling. "That's exactly what I'm thinking."
Someone had stolen a lot of money and was trying to hide the clues.
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