Monday arrived, and Elaine dressed carefully for her first day at the office.
She was a part-time novelist, but full-time, she dreamed of becoming a true jewelry designer. Though she had once crafted a few simple designs for her father—pieces he had loved—this was her first step into the professional world, and she was eager to learn.
As Elaine sat at her new desk in Kim Industries' bustling design department, she took in the lively atmosphere. She could feel curious glances on her, hear faint whispers.
"Who's the new girl?"
"Is she really Alison Kim's daughter?"
Gathering her courage, Elaine stood and offered a polite smile to the group of women whispering nearby.
"Good morning. I'm Elaine Leigh, the new intern," she said, her voice steady.
The whispers stopped abruptly. Three middle-aged women exchanged awkward glances before one of them—a tall woman with sharp features and dark hair—stepped forward.
"Good morning, Miss Leigh," she said. "I'm Linda, the department head." She paused, studying Elaine carefully. "You're Alison Kim's daughter, correct?"
Before Elaine could answer, a soft, sweet voice chimed from behind her. She turned and saw a beautiful young woman walking confidently toward them—then right past Elaine to shake Linda's hand.
"Welcome, Miss Xylia Macron," Linda said warmly.
A ripple of surprise moved through the onlookers.
"Isn't she Xylia, also Alison's daughter?"
"She's engaged to Enzo Kim, right?"
"How lucky can you get?"
"Lucky? She stole my man—"
"Shh! Don't let her hear you calling him your man!" Laughter followed, quickly stifled.
Xylia smiled sweetly, almost dazzlingly. "Just Xylia is fine," she said.
She glanced at Elaine with what looked like a gentle, sisterly expression—but when Elaine met her gaze with a calm, indifferent look, Xylia's smile stiffened. She bit her tongue, feeling an unexpected irritation. How could Elaine remain so composed when the whole room's attention was on her?
Linda beamed at Xylia. "Of course, Xylia. We're glad to have you here."
Elaine stood quietly, already sensing the favoritism radiating off Linda like heat from a flame.
Elaine didn't bother lingering. She turned away from the group and quietly made her way back to her desk.
As she walked down the hallway, she caught sight of President Dante Kim striding toward her, his assistant Ian following closely behind, clipboard in hand.
Dante Kim was impossible to miss. He stood tall, well over six feet, with sleek black hair neatly brushed back, revealing a chiseled forehead and sharp, commanding features. His suit fit perfectly—tailored to a body that radiated quiet, lethal strength. There was an air about him, a cold gravity that seemed to bend the space around him.
Dante's eyes, a piercing dark brown, were locked ahead with laser focus. His mouth was set in a firm, unreadable line, and not once did he glance in her direction—not even the slightest flicker of acknowledgement. His stride was smooth and decisive, each step exuding control and authority.
Elaine slowed for a moment, curious.
Ian trailed half a step behind, flipping through a clipboard and murmuring updates, but Dante barely responded.
He only nodded curtly, his energy so dominant it felt like even the hallway grew quieter in his presence.
Elaine couldn't help but frown, scrunching her face as she watched him pass.
"How cold," she thought, a flicker of irritation rising in her chest.
Elaine shook her head and kept walking, feeling invisible in a world where power like his decided who was seen—and who was not.
…
After lunch break, Elaine was sitting at a corner desk, hunched over a sketchpad, roughing out ideas for a new earring concept.
She glanced up when she heard heels clicking briskly on the polished floor. The department head was approaching her with a folder in hand.
"Elaine, can I steal you for a few minutes?" She asked with a smile but Elaine could tell it was force.
Elaine stands quickly, straightening her slightly smudged blouse.
"Of course! What do you need me for?" Elaine asked.
Linda handed her the folder, flipping it open to reveal sketches and fabric swatches.
"We're prepping a custom piece for a client—engagement necklace, very specific taste. The team's swamped, but I remember you had an eye for Art Deco last week." Linda explained.
"Oh, the geometric sets I am sketching?" She looked at her design.
"Exactly. I need you to assist Megan with drafting some initial design variations. Keep it within this mood board—" she tapped on a page. "…but bring your own spin to it. I want three clean concepts by tomorrow afternoon."
Elaine blinked, absorbing the responsibility. Then she nodded, a mix of nerves and excitement lighting up her face.
"I can do that. Thank you for trusting me with it."
"Don't thank me yet. Impress me first." Linda patted her shoulder and walked away.
Elaine exhales, hugged the folder to her chest, then heads straight to Megan's desk—eyes bright with purpose.
"Good afternoon. I'm Elaine, the new intern," Elaine said, offering a polite smile.
The woman in front of her, Megan, looked up from her desk and smiled warmly.
"Hi, good to see you, Elaine. I heard about you and was wondering what you looked like," Megan said, her tone light and friendly. "You're even prettier than I expected."
Elaine smiled politely, feeling a bit shy under the compliment. "Thank you."
She handed Megan the file she had been assigned to deliver. "I've been given a task to help you with this," she said.
Megan's eyes lit up as she took the folder. "Oh, right! I really needed this. Actually, come inside and close the door—we'll go over everything properly," she said, gesturing for Elaine to sit across from her.
As Elaine stepped into Megan's small office and quietly shut the door, someone else watched from down the hall.
Xylia, arms crossed loosely over her chest, had seen everything.
Earlier, Linda had originally assigned the task to Xylia, but Xylia had casually brushed it off, telling Linda she didn't want to handle "such tedious work."
And Linda, who had been specifically instructed by Stephanie to assist Xylia with anything she asked for, hadn't hesitated for even a second.
Now, watching Elaine step into Megan's office with that file in hand, Xylia's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Let her play intern for now," she thought. "She'll see soon enough who really matters here."