Early Next Morning

  As Harper stepped into Prime Dynamics’ sleek, modern lobby, she was immediately enveloped by the upscale ambiance. She drew a deep breath, steadying her racing heart, then made her way to the grand Carrara marble-clad reception counter. Behind it stood a poised young woman with flowing chestnut hair, perfectly composed.

  “Good day! How may I assist you?” the receptionist asked politely.

  “Hello,” Harper replied, a nervous excitement threading through her tone. “I’m Harper Lange, here to start work today.”

  The receptionist beamed. “Welcome to Prime, Ms. Lange! Please wait a moment; I’ll contact HR.”

  She lifted the phone and dialed a number, speaking briefly before setting the receiver down. “Ms. Lange, someone from HR will be down shortly,” she added pleasantly.

  As Harper waited, anticipation fluttered in her chest. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her career. She took in her surroundings, admiring the sophistication that seemed to saturate the space.

  Minutes later, a lanky, middle-aged man approached. His friendly demeanor instantly put Harper at ease.

  “Hello,” he greeted, extending his hand. “I’m Bradley Hart, the HR manager. You must be Harper Lange.”

  “Yes, that’s me,” she replied, returning the handshake. His firm grip and genuine smile were reassuring.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lange,” Bradley said. “Let me walk you through the onboarding process.”

  With Bradley’s assistance, Harper worked through a series of formalities and paperwork, each step solidifying her place at the company.

  “Everything seems to be in order,” he remarked, handing Harper her employee badge. “Now, let’s head over to the architecture department.”

  They exited the HR department and rode the elevator upward several floors. With a crisp ding, the doors slid open, and they walked straight to the office of the Director of Architecture. Bradley knocked lightly on the glass door, catching the attention of the occupant inside.

  A woman who appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties glanced up from her desk, locking eyes with Bradley. She raised a brow, and with a subtle nod, she signaled him to enter.

  Stepping inside, Jyn Lennin’s jet-black irises flitted to Harper, immediately sizing her up. For a fleeting moment, a flash of envy crossed her features as she took in Harper’s hourglass silhouette and porcelain-smooth skin, a stark contrast to her own tanned complexion.

  “Morning, Director Lennin,” Bradley broke the silence. “This is Harper Lange, our new architect and designer.”

  Jyn froze for a split second. Damn. Her name threw me off! I should’ve read her resume more carefully!

  Her smile didn’t reach her eyes; she offered her hand instead. “Welcome to Prime, Ms. Lange.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Harper took it, trying to ignore the edge in Jyn’s delivery. “Thank you, Director Lennin,” she murmured, masking her unease.

  Jyn’s lips curved into a sneer as she gave Harper another once-over. “Let’s hope you’re not just a pretty face. We need real talent here,” she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Harper and Bradley to catch. Her tone carried the sharpness of someone trying to assert her position in the pecking order.

  What did she just say?

  Harper’s smile wobbled as she tried to push past the insult, but Jyn’s disdain was unmistakable. She might have been trying to hold back, but it was clear that Jyn wouldn’t be playing nice.

  Bradley, sensing the animosity from Jyn, quickly interjected, “Director Lennin, I’ll take Ms. Lange to meet with President Shahi.”

  Jyn’s mien flickered with irritation, though she quickly masked it. “I’ll join you. As Ms. Lange’s immediate superior, I should be present in the meeting,” she added. The arrogance in her delivery was hard to miss.

  Bradley hesitated, weighing his options. He understood the power dynamics at play. “Of course, Director Lennin,” he conceded with a tilt of his head.

  As they walked out of the office, Harper felt the director’s stare boring into her back. It was a glare meant to intimidate.

  I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but this? Open hostility on day one? What’s her deal? It’s like she’s gunning for me already.

  The trek to the elevator was silent, the hum of the building’s machinery the only sound as they ascended to the top floor. Harper’s thoughts churned, not quite sure what to expect, but she wasn’t going to let Jyn’s obvious dislike derail her.

  Arriving at the President’s office, Harper’s breath caught when Kian lifted his gaze from his desk, his features softening at the sight of her.

  “Harper, you’re finally here,” he said, approaching her and pulling her in for a hug.

  She felt butterflies in her stomach, though she quickly composed herself as they exchanged pleasantries.

  Behind them, Jyn’s hawkish glare followed every move, her mind working in overdrive. Do they know each other? What the hell is going on? He even hugged her!

  Kian stared at Harper with an unmistakably besotted expression, his focus so intent it was clear he either didn’t notice or didn’t care who else saw it.

  Jyn’s gut clenched. Oh, no. They barely exchanged two words, and he’s already whipped. I can’t let this vixen get too close to Kian. I’ve got to find a way to take her down.

  “President Shahi, I’m a straight shooter, and I only have the interests of Prime at heart. So, please hear me out,” Jyn began, her words dripping with malice. “I don’t know how someone so young can join Prime as a full-fledged architect and designer. She looks more like an intern. I’d like to know who recommended her and how she landed the position. We need to make sure she secured her position in an above-board ma—”

  Kian’s affectionate gaze vanished, replaced by an icy glare as he absorbed Jyn’s disparaging remarks.

  “Director Lennin,” he cut her off, “your concerns are… surprising, to say the least. Ms. Lange’s qualifications and experience were thoroughly vetted before her appointment. In fact, her resume was circulated to all senior leaders, including yourself, for review and approval. I distinctly recall you saying how impressed you were by her credentials. So, forgive me if I’m confused by your sudden change of opinion.”

  He let his retort hang in the air, his piercing stare intimidating.

  “Ms. Lange’s youthful appearance may be deceiving, but make no mistake—she has the talent, skills, and expertise to make significant contributions to Prime. I have every confidence in her abilities. If there were any concerns, they should have been raised during the review process, and certainly not in this manner.”

  His frown deepened. “And for the record, I handpicked her for the role. Your assumptions suggest a bias I find deeply unprofessional. Given this, I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest for Ms. Lange to report directly to me.”

  Handpicked? Biased? Unfounded? Report directly to him?

  Jyn’s nails dug into her palms, seething. I have to find a way to get rid of this bitch!

  A weighted silence followed as Kian’s authority rang clear. Jyn pursed her lips, her objections dying in her throat.

  “Yes, President Shahi,” she responded tersely, her tone clipped with false politeness.