Grandma, you really should be assigned to another department, the young staff giggled as they stared at the new colleague. They had no idea that I was the one who had bought their company.
Who did you come here for? the boy behind the desk asked without even looking up from his smartphone. His stylish haircut and branded sweater announced his selfimportance and total indifference to anyone else.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna adjusted the simple yet wellmade bag on her shoulder. She had dressed deliberately to blend in: a modest blouse, a kneelength skirt, and comfortable flat shoes.
The former director, the weary, silverhaired Grigory who had handled the companys sale, smiled when he heard my plan.
A Trojan horse, Yelizaveta Andreyevna, he said admiringly. Theyll bite the hook without noticing the bait. Theyll never realize who you really areuntil its too late.
Im the new employee. Im here for the documentation department, she replied in a calm, low voice, deliberately avoiding any commanding tone.
At last the boy looked up. He scanned her from head to toeworn shoes, neatly brushed silver hairand a blatant, unapologetic sarcasm flashed in his eyes.
He didnt even try to hide it.
Oh, right. I heard someone new was coming. Did you pick up your access card from security?
Yes, here it is.
He lazily tapped the revolving door as if pointing a lost insect toward an exit.
Your workstation must be somewhere back there. Youll find your way.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna nodded. Ill find my way, she murmured while stepping into the buzzing openplan office.
She had been navigating lifes labyrinths for forty years. After her husbands sudden death, she revived a nearbankrupt venture, managed complex investments that multiplied her wealth, and learned how not to go mad in a huge, empty house filled with boredom and lonelinessnow, at seventyfive.
This thriving yet internally rotten IT firmat least thats how she saw ithad become her most exciting challenge of recent times.
Her desk occupied the most secluded corner, right next to the archive door. It was an old piece with a scratched tabletop and a squeaky chair, looking like a tiny island from the past stranded in a sea of shiny technology.
Settling in already? a syrupy voice called from behind her.
Standing before her was Olga, head of marketing, dressed in an ivory, perfectly ironed trouser suit
The scent of expensive perfume and success surrounded her.
Im trying, Yelizaveta replied with a gentle smile.
Youll need to review last years contracts for the Altair project. Theyre in the archive.
I dont think thatll be hard, Olga answered, her voice dripping with condescension, as if assigning a simple task to someone intellectually challenged.
Olga stared at her as if she were a strange, extinct fossil. When she marched away, Yelizaveta heard a faint giggle behind her.
The HR department has completely lost its mind. Theyll start hiring dinosaurs next.
Yelizaveta pretended not to hear and kept looking around.
She headed toward the development wing and stopped at a glasswalled meeting room where a few youngsters were heatedly arguing.
Excuse me, maam, looking for something? a tall boy called out as he stepped out from behind his desk.
Staz, the lead developera future star of the company, at least by his own descriptionresponded.
Yes, Im searching for the archive.
Staz smiled, then turned back to his colleagues, who watched the scene with the curiosity of a free circus act.
Grandma, I think youre in the wrong department. The archive is over there, he gestured vaguely toward the womens desks.
Were doing serious work herethings you wouldnt even dare to dream about.
The people behind him chuckled softly. Yelizaveta felt a cold, steady anger rise within her.
She stared at their smug faces, at the expensive watch on Stazs wristmoney she herself had earned.
Thank you, she said evenly. Now I know exactly where to go.
The archive was a tiny, windowless, suffocating room. Yelizaveta entered, and the Altair file appeared quickly.
Methodically, she began examining the papers: contracts, annexes, performance certificates. On paper everything seemed flawless, but her practiced eyes spotted several suspicious details.
In the documents issued to the subcontractor CyberSystems, amounts were rounded to the nearest thousanda possible oversight, but also a common tactic to hide true accounting.
The descriptions of work were vague: consulting services, analysis support, process optimization. Classic methods of siphoning money, familiar to her from the nineties.
A few hours later the door creaked open and a nervouslooking young woman entered.
Good afternoon. Im Lena from accounting. Olga said youd be here It must be tough without electronic access, right? I can help.
Lenas tone held no trace of contempt.
Thank you, Lena. That would be very kind.
Its nothing, really. They just well dont always get that not everyone is born with a tablet in hand, Lena blushed as she explained the programs interface.
While Lena patiently guided her through the system, Yelizaveta thought that even the dirtiest swamp can hide a clean spring.
No sooner had Lena left than Staz reappeared.
I urgently need a copy of the CyberSystems contract.
He spoke as if issuing an order.
Good afternoon, Yelizaveta replied calmly. Im just reviewing those documents. Give me a minute.
A minute? I have no time. I have a call in five minutes. Why isnt this digitized yet? What are they even doing here?
His arrogance was his weak point. He was convinced no oneespecially not this old ladycould or would check his work.
Its my first day, Yelizaveta said evenly. Im trying to fix what others left undone.
I dont care! he cut in, storming to the desk and snatching the file without any courtesy. You old people always bring trouble!
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Yelizaveta didnt look back. She had already seen everything she needed.
She took out her phone and dialed her private lawyer.
Arkagyij, good day. Please look into a company called CyberSystems. I have a feeling their ownership is rather interesting.
The next morning her phone rang.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna, you were right. CyberSystems is a shell company registered under a certain Mr. Petrov, a relative of your lead developer Staz. Classic trick.
Thanks, Arkagyij. Exactly what I needed to know.
The climax came after lunch, when the whole office was summoned for the weekly meeting. Olga beamed while talking about recent successes.
Oh dear, I forgot to print the conversion report. Yelizavetacould you please fetch the Q4 folder from the archive? And try not to get lost this time, she said over the microphone, her voice syrupy sweet.
A faint giggle rippled through the room.
Yelizaveta stood silently, already having passed the point of return.
A few minutes later she returned, standing beside Staz and whispering with Olga.
And here comes our savior! Staz announced loudly. Could you be a bit faster? Time is moneyespecially our money.
That single wordourwas the final drop in the glass.
Yelizaveta straightened, her previously slumped posture vanishing, her gaze hardening.
Youre right, Staz. Time really is money. Especially the money being cleaned through CyberSystems. Dont you think this project has been far more profitable for you personally than for the company?
Stazs face changed; his smile faded.
I I dont understand what youre talking about.
Really? Then perhaps you can explain to everyone here what familial ties you have with this Mr. Petrov?
A heavy silence fell over the meeting. Olga tried to salvage the situation.
Excuse me, but on what grounds does this colleague interfere in our financial matters?
Yelizaveta didnt even glance at her. She circled the table slowly and stopped at the head.
My authority is clear. Allow me to introduce myself: Yelizaveta Andreyevna Voronova, the new owner of the company.
If a bomb had gone off, the shock would have been less.
Staz, she continued in an icy tone, you are dismissed. My lawyers will contact you and your brother. I suggest you dont leave the city.
Staz crumpled, sinking into a chair in silence.
You, Olga, are also terminateddue to professional incompetence and a toxic workplace atmosphere.
Olgas face flushed. How dare you!
Ill measure you, Yelizaveta snapped. You have an hour to pack. Security will escort you out.
This applied to anyone who thought age gave them a license to be mocked. The young receptionist and several developers from that department were also asked to leave.
Fear filled the room.
A comprehensive audit will begin in the coming days, she announced.
Her eyes landed on Lena, trembling in the corner.
Lena, please come here.
Lena approached the table, shaking.
In two days, youve been the only employee who has shown not only professionalism but also basic humanity, Yelizaveta said. Im establishing a new internal audit department, and Id like you to be part of my team. Well discuss your new role and training tomorrow.
Lenas mouth opened in shock, but no words came out.
It will work, Yelizaveta declared firmly. Now everyone, return to your tasks. The only exceptions are those being dismissed. The workday continues.
She turned and walked out, leaving behind a collapsed world built on steam and arrogance.
She felt no triumph, only a cold, quiet satisfactionthe kind that follows a job well done. To build a house on solid ground, one must first clear away the rot.
And she had just begun the great cleanup.
