Ria Yoshizawa, a sharp corporate compliance officer, arrived at the hotel under discreet instructions. She had received an anonymous message about a whistleblower with crucial evidence of internal corruption within their multinational firm. The note was clear: come alone.
Upon entering the dimly lit suite, she was surprised to find a familiar face—Kenji, a mid-level analyst from another branch. He looked tense, seated at the edge of the bed, laptop bag at his side.
“Is it just you?” Ria asked, her tone cautious but calm.
“Yes,” Kenji replied, standing slowly, voice low. “Just the two of us.”
He moved closer—not out of intimidation, but urgency. “I don’t know who else I can trust. The data I uncovered ties our director to illegal offshore accounts. I’ve already been followed twice this week.”
Ria’s expression hardened. “Do you have proof?”
Kenji nodded, unzipping his bag and revealing a flash drive. “But if they know I met you, you’ll be a target too.”
Ria took the drive carefully, slipping it into her jacket pocket. “Then we don’t have much time. We bring this to the internal audit board tonight. Off the record. After that… we go public if they bury it.”
Their eyes met—an understanding passed between them. This wasn’t just about a job anymore. It was about integrity.
Outside, the wind picked up, and with it, the weight of what they were about to expose.
