I should’ve left earlier. But Mom needed reassurance—again.
“You sure you’re okay, Camilla? Are you eating? Not too stressed?”
I was adjusting my blouse in front of her mirror, trying to keep my tone even. “I’m good, Mom. Just nerves.”
She sighed, reaching over to fix a stray lock of my hair like she did when I was a kid. “It still doesn’t sit right with me… you working there like an intern when you should be—”
“Shhh,” I whispered, kissing her cheek. “Let me do this my way.”
I left her penthouse ten minutes later than I planned—and ten minutes made all the difference.
Traffic was a nightmare. By the time I arrived at Steel Corporation, I was nearly out of breath. I raced through the lobby, flashing my ID at the front desk, and sprinted toward the elevators.
The doors were just about to close—until I saw her.
Amber Green. Smirking.
“Hold it!” I called out, practically yelling.
She looked me dead in the eye—and pressed the close button.
The elevator shut in my face.
I clenched my jaw, fists tightening at my side. Classic Amber.
By the time I reached the 19th floor through another elevator, orientation had already started.
Everyone was seated in rows inside the glass-paneled conference room. I tried to slip in quietly, but Mr. Langston, the orientation manager, turned with a sharp scowl.
“Miss... Camilla, is it?” he barked. “You’re late. First impressions matter here at Steel Corporation.”
My cheeks burned as everyone turned toward me, including Amber, who gave me a satisfied smirk like a cat who’d just eaten her prey.
“I’m sorry, sir,” I said calmly, bowing my head. “Won’t happen again.”
He didn’t respond, just waved me to the last seat.
As soon as the presentation was over, I started packing up my folder when the devil herself slithered beside me.
“Ohhh, looks like I got in here too,” Amber said sweetly, leaning close.
I didn’t look up.
“And unlike you,” she continued with a low, fake laugh, “who seduced your way through the system, they called me. Said they overlooked my application and realized I was the best fit. Makes sense, right? I mean, I am better than anyone else here.”
That made me almost laugh. Of course she got a callback.
Because I told my mother to give her a slot. Because what better way to make her pay... than to let her think she’d won?
I turned slowly to her and offered a small smile.
“Congratulations,” I said, voice like ice wrapped in silk. “I’m sure you’ll make quite the impression.”
Then I walked away. Later that day, whispers began circulating across the workspace like wildfire.
“They say the Steel Corporation’s daughter is working undercover with us.”
“Wait, what? Like a real-life drama?”
“No one knows who she is. Some say it could be Amber—she looks the part.”
I nearly choked on my water at that one. Amber. As the heiress? Please.
I kept to myself, focused on my tasks—data sheets, internal reports, and onboarding materials. Nothing glamorous, but I took it seriously. I didn’t want anyone saying I had it easy.
During break, I slipped into a quiet lounge and answered my mother’s call.
“Are you okay?” she asked immediately.
“Yeah, just… playing the part.”
She chuckled softly. “Your father would’ve been proud, you know. Starting from the ground.”
“I hope so.”
We chatted for a while. She told me Harold was keeping things smooth on the board, and I told her I’d keep my head down a little longer.
Then, from the hallway just beyond the lounge—I heard something.
A sharp gasp.
A low moan.
Voices. Familiar ones.
My skin prickled.
I stood up, walked carefully down the corridor, and peeked behind a partially open office door.
And my stomach turned.
Amber. Pressed against the wall. Legs wrapped around someone. And that someone… was James. My fiancé.
They didn’t even care enough to hide it. Not a whisper. Not a lock. Not even guilt.
I pulled out my phone and hit record. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t shake. I filmed until I had enough. Then I waited.
A few minutes later, James walked out, shirt rumpled, lips stained faintly red.
And when he saw me standing there?
He froze.
“C-Camilla—hey, sweetie. What are you doing here?”
I tilted my head, smiling softly, like nothing had happened.
“Just taking a walk.”
He swallowed hard, trying to adjust his collar like it could somehow hide his sin.
“Oh, sweetie,” I smirked, leaning closer to check on his neck. “What’s this red mark in here?”
