Chapter 4

"Oh, by the way, we have a board meeting next week. The Chairman might drop in to hear our department's pitch. I need you to put together a detailed progress report on the Aura account. Make sure the client feedback and data are flawless."

"Will do, Mr. Sterling."

"And," Arthur paused, choosing his words carefully, "dress professionally for the presentation. The Chairman appreciates a sharp, polished look."

He said it casually, but I caught the underlying hint.

Dennis immediately chimed in, "Don't worry, Mr. Sterling. I'll make sure everyone in the department adheres to the dress code."

I walked out, and the door clicked shut behind me.

The hallway was silent, save for the hum of the AC.

I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

The way Arthur looked at me... and that comment about his "friend in New York." It wasn't a coincidence.

He was testing me.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from my dad on SnapChat.

"Hey sweetheart, we're having a family dinner this Friday. Your Uncle Richard is coming. Make sure to wear that champagne silk dress your mom bought you."

I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering, before typing a simple reply:

"Will do."

Before locking the screen, I stared at my lock screen wallpaper—a photo of me and my parents.

In the background was our home library. On the shelf behind my dad, there were a few framed pictures.

One of them was a photo of my dad shaking hands with Arthur Sterling.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and walked back to my desk.

Maya leaned over. "How did it go? Did Director Sterling give you a hard time?"

"No." I opened my laptop and started working on the report Arthur requested.

"Good." Maya let out a sigh of relief. "But it's weird that Director Sterling suddenly asked where you're from. Maybe he sees your potential and wants to groom you for a promotion?"

I didn't answer, my eyes fixed on the screen.

The cursor blinked. I typed out the header:

"Aura Cosmetics Account: Q3 Progress Report."

But my mind kept drifting back to Arthur's gaze.

He must have recognized me.

Or at least, he was highly suspicious.

After all, that photo of him and my dad was displayed right on his office wall.

I saved the document and shut down my computer.

Looking out the window at the city skyline, my eyes caught a sticky note on my monitor divider. I wrote it on my very first day here:

"Make it on your own."

For three months, I did exactly that.

But now, the rules of the game were about to change.

Chloe, Dennis.

You guys love abusing power, don't you?

Well, let me show you what real power looks like.