Grandma, you should be transferred to another department, the young staff chuckled as they saw the new colleague. They had no idea that I was the one who had bought their company.
Whos she here for? the boy behind the counter asked without looking up from his smartphone. His fashionable haircut and branded sweater announced his selfimportance and total indifference to anyone else.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna adjusted the simple, highquality bag on her shoulder. She had deliberately dressed to blend in: a modest blouse, a kneelength skirt, and comfortable flat shoes.
The former director, the weary, silverhaired Grigory, who had handled the sale, smiled when he heard my plan.
Trojan horse, Yelizaveta Andreyevna, he said admiringly. Theyll take the hook, never notice the bait. Theyll never realize who theyre dealing withuntil its too late.
Im the new employee. Im here for the documentation department, I replied in a calm, low voice, deliberately avoiding any commanding tone.
At last the boy looked up. He scanned me from head to toe, from the worn shoes to the neatly combed silver hair, and a blatant, unmasked sneer flashed in his eyes. He didnt even try to hide it.
Oh, right. They said someone new was coming. Did you pick up your access card at security?
Yes, here it is.
I pointed lazily toward the turnstile as if directing a lost insect.
It should be somewhere back, at a workstation. Ill find my way.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna nodded. Ill find my way, she repeated silently while entering the buzzing openplan office.
For forty years she had navigated lifes labyrinths. After her husbands sudden death she revived a nearbankrupt business, handling complex investments that multiplied her wealth. At seventyfive she discovered how not to go mad in a huge, empty house plagued by boredom and loneliness.
This flourishing yet internally rotting IT firmat least thats how she saw itwas now her most exciting challenge.
Her desk sat in the furthest corner, right next to the archive door. It was an old piece with a scarred tabletop and a squeaky chair, like a tiny island from the past stranded in a sea of glittering technology.
Settling in already? a sickly sweet voice whispered behind her.
Olga, head of marketing, stood there in an ivorycolored, perfectly pressed trouser suit, surrounded by the scent of expensive perfume and success.
Im trying, Yelizaveta answered 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 said, a hint of condescending superiority in her tone, as if assigning a simple task to someone with limited intellect.
Olga regarded her like an odd, extinct fossil. As she marched away, Yelizaveta heard a faint giggle behind her.
The HR department has completely lost the plot. Theyll hire dinosaurs next.
Pretending not to hear, Yelizaveta looked around. She headed toward the development area and stopped outside a glasswalled meeting room where a few young people were arguing heatedly.
Excuse me, miss, are you looking for something? a tall young man asked, stepping out from behind his desk.
It was Stas, the lead developerthe companys future star, at least according to the glowing description that seemed to have been written by himself.
Yes, dear, Im looking for the archive.
Stas smiled, then turned back to his colleagues, who watched the scene with the interest of an audience at a free circus show.
Grandma, I think youre on the wrong floor. The archive is over there, he gestured vaguely toward the womens desks.
We do serious work herethings you wouldnt even dare to dream about.
The group behind him chuckled softly. Yelizaveta felt a cold, calm anger rise inside her. She stared at their selfsatisfied faces, at Stass expensive watch on his wristall purchased with her money.
Thank you, she said evenly. Now I know exactly where I need to go.
The archive was a tiny, windowless, suffocating room. Yelizaveta entered, pulled out the Altair folder, and began methodically flipping through contracts, annexes, performance certificates. Everything looked perfect on paper, but her practiced eyes soon spotted irregularities.
In the documents issued to the subcontractor CyberSystems, amounts were rounded to the nearest thousand. That could be careless, but it could also be a deliberate move to conceal the real accounting.
The descriptions of completed work were vague: consulting services, analysis support, process optimization. Classic tactics for siphoning money that Yelizaveta recognized from the 1990s.
A few hours later the door creaked open and a wideeyed young woman appeared.
Good afternoon. Im Lena from accounting. Olga said you were here It must be hard without electronic access, right? I can help.
There was no trace of condescension in Lenas voice.
Thank you, Lena. That would be wonderful.
Not a big deal. Its just that they well dont always understand that not everyone is born with a tablet in hand, Lena said, blushing.
While Lena patiently explained the software interface, Yelizaveta thought that even the deepest swamp can contain a clean spring. As soon as Lena left, Stas reappeared in the doorway.
I need a copy of the CyberSystems contract right now.
He spoke as if issuing an order to a servant.
Good afternoon, Yelizaveta replied calmly. Im just reviewing those documents. Give me a minute.
A minute? I have no minutes. I have a call in five. Why isnt this digitized yet? What are they even doing here?
His arrogance was his weak spot. He was convinced that no oneespecially not an old womancould scrutinize his work.
Its my first day, she answered evenly. Im trying to fix what others left broken.
I dont care! he cut in, lunging to the desk and snatching the folder without a courtesy. You old folk always bring trouble!
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Yelizaveta didnt look back; shed seen everything she needed.
She pulled out her phone and dialed her private lawyer.
Arkady, good day. Please look into a company called CyberSystems. I suspect their ownership is unusual.
The next morning her phone rang.
Yelizaveta Andreyevna, you were right. CyberSystems is a shell company registered under a citizen named Petrov. Stass cousin, Svyatoslav, is involved. Classic trick.
Thank you, Arkady. Exactly what I needed to hear.
The climax came after lunch, when the whole office was summoned for the weekly meeting. Olga beamed while talking about recent successes.
Oh, I forgot to print the conversion report. Yelizavetaplease bring the Q4 folder from the archive. And try not to get lost this time, she said into the microphone, her voice syrupy sweet.
A low giggle rippled through the room. Yelizaveta stood silently, already having passed the point of return.
A few minutes later she returned, standing beside Stas and Olga, whispering to each other.
And here comes our savior! Stas announced loudly. Could be a bit quicker, though. Time is moneyespecially our money.
That single wordourwas the last drop in the glass.
Yelizaveta straightened, her earlier slump disappearing, her gaze hardening.
Youre right, Svyatoslav. Time is indeed money. Particularly the money being cleaned through CyberSystems. Dont you think this project is far more profitable for you personally than for the company?
Stass face changed; his smile faded.
I I dont understand what youre talking about.
Really? Then perhaps you can explain to everyone here what kind of family tie you have with a certain Mr. Petrov?
A heavy silence fell over the room. Olga tried to salvage the situation.
Excuse me, but on what authority does this employee interfere with our financial matters?
Yelizaveta didnt look at her. She walked slowly around the table and stopped at the head.
My authority is straightforward. Allow me to introduce myself: Yelizaveta Andreyevna Voronova, the new owner of the company.
If a bomb had exploded in the room, the shock would have been smaller.
Svyatoslav, she continued icily, you are dismissed. My lawyers will contact you and your brother. I advise you not to leave the city.
Stas collapsed and sat silently in a chair.
You, Olga, are also dismissedfor professional incompetence and creating a toxic workplace.
Olgas face turned red. How dare you!
Im measuring, Yelizaveta snapped. You have an hour to pack. Security will escort you out.
The warning applied to anyone who thought age gave them a license to be mocked. The young receptionist and several developers from the department could also leave.
A wave of fear swept the room.
In the coming days a full audit of the company will begin.
Her eyes landed on Lena, trembling in a corner of the room.
Lena, please come here.
Lena approached the table, shaking.
In just two days youll be the only employee who has shown both competence and basic humanity.
Im setting up a new internal audit department and Id like you on my team. Tomorrow well discuss your new role and training.
Lenas mouth opened in astonishment, but she could not speak.
It will work, Yelizaveta declared firmly. Now everyone return to their work. The only exception is 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 quiet, cold satisfactionthe kind that follows a job well done. To build a house on solid foundations, one must first cleanse the ground of decay. And she had just begun the great cleaning.
