Sophia Sullivan pulled on an oversized hoodie, her faded jeans hugging her legs. As she stepped into the Breeze Perfumes lobby, her phone buzzed.
A text from Ethan Sullivan flashed on the screen.
[Need me to assign you an assistant?]
[No.]
Her reply was curt. Having a shadow would draw too much attention—she preferred working alone.
The company interior was more impressive than she'd imagined. The circular lab resembled a sci-fi set, while the two-story employee lounge smelled of freshly brewed coffee. Backed by the Sullivan Group, Breeze Perfumes now occupied the entire building, its market value skyrocketing.
She paused mid-step in the office area.
Data streams spiraled wildly across computer screens.
"Breach detected."
Sophia narrowed her eyes. The security desk stood empty, the alarm system silent. But the erratic code patterns didn’t lie—someone was hacking into the system.
She slid into the swivel chair, fingers flying across the keyboard.
"Amateur tactics."
Of all days to start work, she walks into this. Without hesitation, she headed for the lab’s central control console and booted the mainframe. Ethan had said the entire lab was under her jurisdiction.
A single computer was nothing.
Several technicians startled at her sudden intrusion. Then they remembered today’s new leadership announcement, their gazes turning guarded.
Hannah Vance shot Caleb Vance a meaningful look.
Caleb’s face darkened. As the most senior employee, he should’ve gotten that promotion. Now he stepped forward, barely containing his temper. "Ms. Sullivan, we understand new leaders like to make an impression. But shouldn’t you be in the perfumery instead of playing with computers?"
Sophia didn’t look up.
The hacker originated from the dark web. Breeze Perfumes’ formulas were worth fortunes, and this attacker came prepared. Waiting for Sullivan Group’s security team would be too late.
She couldn’t let the freshly acquired data slip away.
"Since you recognize my authority, stay out of my way."
Caleb recoiled as if struck. Other technicians chimed in.
"Relax, Caleb. She’s the boss’s pet. If things go south, it’s not our problem."
"Don’t mind us, Ms. Sullivan. We’re just curious. Prove you earned this position, and we’ll respect you."
Hannah deliberately raised her voice, letting "nepotism" echo through the lab.
They’d expected an experienced perfumer, not some girl barely out of college. Fragile-looking, easy to manipulate.
Wrong move.
"Shut up if you can’t speak usefully." Sophia hit the enter key. "System’s compromised. I’m fixing it. Everyone out."
Forced into the hallway, they clustered by the glass partition, whispering.
"Who does she think she is? A perfumer playing IT?"
"Just putting her in her place. Wait till the clients arrive for the tour—let them see our new leader’s ‘brilliance.’"
Caleb smirked. "Bring them straight to the control room."
Glances were exchanged. Workplace cliques hated outsiders. So what if she won some perfume award? Cross them, and she’d regret it.
Especially Caleb’s faction—their roots ran deep.