against the polished floor. The house was quiet, save for

nt door, her phone buzzed

Where the he

wing Gina must be p

essing, and it gave her the push she n

waving enthusiastically from the dr

" Gina teased as April sli

ied, her smile genuine. "And, hey, may

ocus on surviving our first week before

ed as Gina pulled o

hthearted banter. Gina's optimism helped

and the towering glass building loomed ahead. Apri

na said, giving her

though her palms felt c

ees moved with purpose, the sound of heels cli

ent me my department details. Looks like I'm

. "Third floor. Guess we're no

er. But don't worry, we'll catch up at lu

watching her friend h

third-floor reception desk, where a young wom

" the woman said, barely l

" April replied,

t of glass doors. "Your team is straight ahead. Miss Cl

ching the badge tightly as sh

n their computers. At the far end of the room stood a tall woman with jet-black hair tied into a sleek bun

woman said sharply

stammered. "I wasn'

her arms. "I'm Clara Stevens, head of this depar

hard and nodde

ngs work here. You do what I say, when I say it. There's n

ed, her voice bare

be organized and entered into the system by noon. After that, I

to an empty desk in the corner. She sank into the chair with a sigh, he

eyes and bright red lipstick stared down at her with disdain. Her outfit was far more gla

" the woman said, her voi

artled. "Uh, yes, I

sweetie, you're the one who's going to need help. I'm Mad

"I'm just her

t with me, newbie. I've been here long enough to know how thing

ies," April said quietly, gr

roblem. But just so you know, I don't like competition. St

adison sauntered off, her la

ffice, reviewing documents on his desk. His sharp suit and

sistant's voice came through. "

hard said, leaning

t the marble floor. She stood before his

o see me, sir

ression unreadable. "Yes. D

I assigned her the most tedious tasks and ensured she'll

his lips. "Make sure she feels the pressu

f I may ask, sir, why are we tar

cern," Richard replied c

bowing her head slightly

er, Richard leaned back in

e, April," he muttered, a faint smil