Anna nodded and flipped through more photos: documents snapped in a hurry, contracts with clauses different from the ones David had seen, and bank transfers to accounts he didn’t recognize. «They changed the original contract,» Anna said, pointing to one of the images. «See this section? In the version you have, it says you’ll keep 60% control, but in the real one—the one they’ll use when you sign—you’re left with only 20%.»
«This is…» David took the phone and brought it closer. «This is document fraud. It’s a crime.»
«And that’s not all.» Anna moved to the next photo. «This $15 million transfer happened last week, from Sterling’s account to Leandro’s personal account.»
David stood up and walked to the window. Chicago sparkled below in the darkness, but to him, everything felt dim. «Why?» he murmured, more to himself. «Leandro’s been my best friend for 15 years. We went to college together, built everything from scratch.»
«Sometimes people change when there’s a lot of money involved,» Anna said, putting the phone away. «Or maybe they were always like that, and you just didn’t want to see it.»
David turned around, still trying to process everything. «Why are you telling me this? You could lose your job.»
Anna hesitated. «Because… because it’s the right thing to do. I can’t just stay quiet and watch someone get betrayed like that.»
David studied her. There was more to it; he could feel it, but Anna clearly wasn’t ready to say more. «These pieces of evidence… how can I be sure they’re real?»
«I understand why you don’t trust me,» Anna said as she put her phone away. «But if you sign tomorrow, you’ll lose everything. They’ve already planned every step.»
David stayed silent for a long time. Part of him desperately wanted not to believe it; Leandro was like a brother. But the evidence? «I need more proof,» he said at last. «I need to be absolutely sure.»
«I can get more, but it’ll be risky.»
«Then be careful,» David said, looking straight at her. «If this is true, if Leandro really is betraying me…» He couldn’t finish the sentence.
«We’ll find out the truth,» Anna said firmly. After she left, David stayed alone in the room, staring out the window. For the first time in 15 years of friendship, he was doubting Leandro, and that doubt was growing inside him.
The next morning, David arrived at the office earlier than usual. He’d spent the whole night thinking about the evidence Anna had shown him. The images of the forged documents wouldn’t leave his mind, nor would Leandro’s voice in that incriminating recording. He needed more answers.
David went straight to human resources and asked to see Anna Santos’ file. Martha, the HR employee, looked surprised. «The cleaning lady’s file?» she asked, adjusting her glasses. «Did something happen?»
«Just a routine check,» David lied. «I need to confirm a few details.»
Martha brought him a thin folder. David opened it, and his eyes widened when he saw the attached resume: Anna Santos, 28 years old, degree in Business Administration from Northwestern University with a specialization in corporate finance. Previous experience in business consulting at McKinsey & Company.
«McKinsey?» David murmured, stunned.
«Excuse me?» Martha leaned over to see what he was reading.
«It’s nothing, thank you.» David quickly closed the folder and handed it back. He left HR with his mind racing. Anna had worked at McKinsey, one of the most respected consulting firms in the world.1 How did someone with that resume end up working as a janitor?
During lunch, David looked for Anna in the halls. He found her on the 12th floor, cleaning the windows in one of the smaller conference rooms. «Anna,» he said, approaching her. «I need to talk to you.»
She turned around, surprised to see him. «Did something happen? Did you find out more about Leandro?»
«Actually, I found something out about you.» David crossed his arms. «Northwestern University, McKinsey & Company, corporate finance…»
Anna’s face went pale. She dropped the cleaning cloth and took a deep breath. «You looked into my file.»
«Why didn’t you tell me who you really are?»
Anna looked around to make sure they were alone before answering. «Because it doesn’t matter,» she said bitterly. «It doesn’t matter how many degrees I have or where I used to work. To everyone here, I’m just the Latina cleaning lady.»
«But McKinsey, that’s impressive. How did you…»
«How did I end up here?» Anna cut him off. «You want the truth? I worked at McKinsey for two years. I was good at it, really good. But when it came time for promotions, there was always a reason why I didn’t move up.»
David listened closely, noticing the pain in her eyes. «First, they said I needed more experience. Then, that my communication style didn’t match the company culture.» Anna gave a humorless laugh. «Translation: I was too competent for my position but didn’t look the part for a leadership role.»
«That’s discrimination. You could have filed a lawsuit.»
«With what money?» Anna picked up the water bucket. «And who would believe a Latina over a company like McKinsey?»
David stayed silent, trying to process the injustice. «And your family… you mentioned a sister.»
«Maria is 22,» Anna said softly. «She was born with a congenital heart defect. We need $200,000 for surgery. When I was let go from McKinsey…» She paused. «Actually, when they asked me to resign, I had to take whatever job I could find.»
«That’s why you’re here.»
«That’s why I’m here.» Anna nodded. «The health plan covers part of Maria’s treatment. And even though the pay is low, it helps with her medication. I can’t afford to be unemployed.»
David felt a tightness in his chest. Here was a brilliant woman, educated at one of the best universities in the country, with experience at a top firm, working as a janitor because of prejudice and family needs. «Anna, I had no idea.»
«Well, now you do.» She went back to cleaning the windows. «That’s why I recognized the forged documents right away. I spent years analyzing corporate contracts; those discrepancies stood out to me immediately.»
«And that’s why you warned me about the betrayal.»
Anna stopped cleaning and looked straight at him. «Partly, yes, but also because…» She hesitated. «Because you’re different from the other executives here. I’ve been watching you for months. You treat everyone with respect, no matter their role. And when I saw they were planning to destroy you the same way they ruined my career…»
«You couldn’t stay quiet.»
«Exactly.»
David watched her for several long seconds. Anna Santos wasn’t just a cleaning lady who had overheard something by chance. She was a highly qualified professional who had recognized a corporate fraud and decided to act, even if it meant risking the little she had.
«Anna, when all this is over…»
«David?» Leandro’s voice echoed down the hallway. They both turned to see Leandro approaching, a curious look on his face.
«What are you doing here?» Leandro asked, glancing from David to Anna.
«Just checking on how the cleaning is going,» David replied quickly. «You know how particular I am.»
Leandro looked at Anna, who had gone back to wiping the windows, pretending not to hear their conversation. «Since when do you personally care about the cleaning staff?» Leandro’s tone clearly showed his suspicion.
«Since I decided to pay more attention to details,» David forced a smile. «Speaking of which, did you reschedule the meeting with Sterling for this afternoon?»
«Yes, three o’clock.» Leandro kept watching Anna. «I hope there won’t be any more hesitation.»
«Of course not.» David began walking toward the elevator. «Let’s grab lunch. I need to go over a few contract adjustments with you.»
Leandro followed him but not before casting one last suspicious look toward Anna. At the elevator, Leandro pressed the button and turned to David. «You’ve been acting strange since yesterday,» he said, his voice probing. «Is there something I should know about?»
David chose his words carefully. «Just pre-negotiation nerves. You know how I get before big decisions.»
«David, we’ve been friends for 15 years. We built this company together.» Leandro placed a hand on his shoulder. «If something’s bothering you, you can tell me.»
David looked into his best friend’s eyes, searching for any sign of deception, but Leandro looked genuinely concerned. «I’m fine, Carlos. I just wanna make sure we’re doing the right thing.»
«Of course we are,» Leandro smiled. «This merger will make us the clear leaders in the market. Trust me.»
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. But as they descended, David couldn’t stop thinking about Anna’s words: «Sometimes money changes people.» And for the first time in 15 years, he was beginning to wonder if he really knew Leandro.
That afternoon, Anna was finishing up cleaning the executive bathroom on the 15th floor when she heard footsteps coming down the hallway. It was nearly five o’clock, and most executives had already gone home. She frowned, curious who might still be around.
Through the slightly open door, she recognized Leandro’s deep voice speaking to someone. A woman responded, and Anna felt a chill run through her. It was Sophia.
«Are you sure it’s her?» Sophia asked, her voice sharp with irritation.
«Absolutely. I looked into it after seeing David talking to her yesterday,» Leandro replied, his voice getting closer. «Anna Santos, 28 years old, former McKinsey. Too smart for her own good.»
Anna held her breath, pressing herself against the bathroom wall. Her heart pounded when she realized they were talking about her.
«And do you think she heard our conversation last week?» Sophia sounded worried.
«I’m sure of it. I checked the security cameras. She was cleaning my office at the exact time we were finalizing the details.» Leandro paused. «And today, David was acting completely different. He backed out of signing yesterday and asked a ton of questions about clauses we’d already reviewed.»
«Damn,» Sophia’s voice rose in panic. «If David finds out about us, about the money we transferred…»
«He won’t. Not if we act fast,» Leandro cut her off. «I need to get rid of the cleaning lady before she causes more problems.»
Anna covered her mouth with both hands, trying to control her breathing. They knew. They knew she had discovered their plan.
«How?» Sophia asked.
«In the most humiliating way possible. I’ll accuse her of stealing, right in front of everyone,» Leandro’s voice was cold. «No one will believe a fired janitor over me. And if David tries to defend her? David’s been my best friend for 15 years. Even if he has doubts, he won’t confront me publicly over a cleaning lady.» Leandro gave a quiet laugh. «He’s way too predictable.»
Anna closed her eyes, feeling tears start to form. She had risked everything to warn David about the betrayal, and now she was going to be destroyed for it.
«When?» Sophia asked.
«Now. I’ll call her to the main auditorium, announce an urgent safety meeting for all employees.»
The footsteps faded, and Anna stayed in the restroom for a few more minutes, trying to regain her composure. Her hands were trembling as she thought about Maria, her sick sister who depended on the health plan from this job. If she was fired for cause, she would lose not only her salary but also the medical coverage.
