Lunch break.
The office pantry was packed.
Everyone whispered among themselves.
"Who is this new boss? Even Mr. Sullivan personally came to meet her."
"Mr. Sullivan invited her three or four times before she agreed."
Caleb Vance's phone buzzed.
He glanced down.
A message from Chloe Evans.
[Find a way to drive Sophia Sullivan away. Generous reward plus a position at Winston Group awaits.]
Attachments followed.
Caleb had worked with Chloe before.
Years ago, she'd asked him to steal Breeze Perfumes' data.
He'd done it without hesitation.
Now targeting Sophia suited him just fine.
That woman clearly slept her way up.
Definitely climbed into Mr. Sullivan's bed.
Caleb smirked as he replied.
[Consider it done, Ms. Evans.]
Adjusting his glasses, he eyed the gossiping colleagues.
"Rumor has it the new boss is a homewrecker. That Ms. Evans today? She lost her fiancé to her."
Caleb lowered his voice.
"Ms. Evans and Mr. Winston grew up together. She only went abroad after being betrayed."
Someone scoffed.
"Aren't they back together now?"
Caleb shook his head.
"Point is, she hooked up with Mr. Sullivan right after her divorce. The Sullivans won't accept some divorced orphan."
The crowd forgot their lunches.
Office drudgery needed juicy scandals.
Caleb delivered the killing blow.
Ethan Sullivan was the Sullivan heir.
He'd marry someone of equal standing.
"The Sullivans won't take in some stray, will they?"
"Divorced women are just playthings."
"One misstep and she's out."
The clique scolded earlier felt vindicated.
They plotted ways to humble Sophia.
Caleb scurried about for Chloe's reward.
Within three days, rumors infected the company.
Even the janitors knew.
Work hours remained professional.
Lunch breaks became exclusion zones for Sophia.
"Let's put her in her place!"
Two days passed.
Sophia showed no reaction.
She moved through her days undisturbed.
Completely oblivious to the isolation.
But the rumors grew uglier.
Charlotte Vance overheard two men in the stairwell.
"Wonder what tricks Ms. Sullivan used in Mr. Sullivan's bed."
Charlotte bit her lip.
She almost walked away.
At lunch, she slipped into the lab instead.
Sophia worked intently.
Charlotte's chest tightened.
Ms. Sullivan was a shareholder, a champion perfumer.
Why endure such slander?
Charlotte had suffered similar rumors before.
The memory stung.
"Ms. Sullivan, pardon the interruption."
Sophia turned to see Charlotte near tears.
"What's wrong?"
She reached out.
Charlotte spilled everything.
"Someone's spreading lies about you..."
She broke down first.
"If they're jealous, why not say it outright?"
Sophia felt touched and amused.
She patted Charlotte's shoulder.
"Don't waste anger on such people. Thank you for telling me. Keep an eye on them—I'll observe too."
Perfect chance to clean house.
"My lab tolerates no filth."
Her voice turned icy.
Charlotte warmed inside.
"I'll watch them closely."
Sophia smiled at the girl's determined back.
So transparent. Adorable.
But something still weighed on her.