She needed a job. A real job.
She opened the browser. She went to the job board.
She typed in "Biotech."
She was MOON. She held three patents for nutritional algorithms. She was a genius.
But her doctorate degree was in a safe deposit box in Zurich, and she couldn't access it without alerting the lawyers who were monitoring her assets. Any ping on her real credentials would alert Hampton's estate lawyers, and they would come for her.
She had to apply as Ivana Becker. High school graduate. Some college.
She scrolled past the Senior Researcher roles. Past the Lab Director roles.
She stopped at a listing for Sharpe BioCorp.
Data Entry Clerk. Entry Level. Benefits from Day One.
Sharpe BioCorp. Gannon's company.
It was suicide. It was walking into the lion's den.
But the benefits included full family health coverage. No waiting period.
It would cover Elena. It would cover Cohen.
She stared at the "Apply" button.
If she got the job, she would be invisible. Just a name in a database. A body in a cubicle farm. Gannon would never see her. He worked on the top floor. She would be in the basement.
She clicked Apply.
She filled out the application. Under "Previous Employment," she listed "Private Caregiver." It was the same lie she had told Gannon. Consistency was key.
The next morning, Ivana put on her only "professional" outfit. A black pencil skirt she had found at a thrift store and a white blouse that was slightly yellowed at the collar.
She used concealer to hide the bruise on her cheek where Aleta had slapped her.
She took the subway to Manhattan.
Sharpe Tower was a glass needle piercing the sky.
She stood in the lobby, feeling small.
She had an interview with HR. A woman named Joyce Madden.
Joyce was a woman who clearly hated her job and hated everyone who tried to get a job.
She looked at Ivana's resume.
"Gap in employment?" Joyce asked, popping gum.
"I was... working as a private caregiver for a family in Europe," Ivana said smoothly.
"Skills?"
"Typing. Data organization."
Joyce looked at her. "You're overqualified. You did two years at MIT before dropping out?"
"Financial reasons," Ivana said.
Joyce sighed. "Look, normally a background check would flag someone with your... history. The name Becker rings a bell, but I can't place it."
Ivana held her breath. She had used her maiden name, hoping the erasure of her marriage to Gannon was thorough enough to bypass the standard screens.
"However," Joyce continued, "I have a note here from the executive office. Ms. Cortez specifically requested that your application be fast-tracked if you applied."
Ivana felt her blood freeze. Aleta.
"Ms. Cortez?"
"Yes. She's the new Chief Operating Officer. She oversees administrative staffing."
Of course she did.
"I'll take it," Ivana said.
Joyce shrugged. "Okay. You start Monday. Ms. Cortez has assigned you to the Special Projects data team."
Ivana walked out of the office. She had a job. But it was a trap.
She was walking to the elevator when the doors opened.
Gannon stepped out.
He was flanked by three men in suits. He was talking, gesturing with a silver pen.
"...the algorithm is drifting. I need the raw data from the beta test..."
He stopped.
He saw her.
Ivana froze. She was holding her visitor badge.
Gannon stared at her. He looked at the badge. Visitor.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. His voice was low, dangerous. His eyes darted to the umbrella stand by the door, then back to her. Confusion warred with anger. He had just sent her an umbrella last night, a silent admission of care, and now she was here, invading his sanctuary.
The three men stopped, looking back and forth.
Ivana clutched her bag. "I... I had an interview."
Gannon laughed. A harsh, barking sound. "For what? Janitor?"
"Data Entry," she said, lifting her chin.
Gannon shook his head. "You are stalking me. First the hospital, then the street, now my building. Do you think I'm stupid?"
"I need a job, Gannon. I didn't know you would be in the lobby."
"Then go work at Starbucks. Get out of my building."
"I'm hired," she said. "I start Monday."
Gannon stepped closer. He invaded her space. He was furious, not just because she was here, but because seeing her made him want to ask if she was dry, if she was safe.
"I will fire you before you even sit down."
"You can't," she whispered. "It would be discrimination. I passed the interview."
"Discrimination?" Gannon sneered. "Against what? Gold diggers?"
Aleta walked out of the elevator behind him.
"What's going on?"
She saw Ivana. Her eyes widened.
"She's working here," Gannon said. "Fix it."
Aleta looked at Ivana. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face.
"No, Gannon. Let her stay."
Gannon looked at Aleta. "What?"
Aleta walked over to Ivana. She touched Ivana's cheap blouse.
"We need good help," she said. "And Ivana is so... obedient. Aren't you?"
Ivana knew what this was. Aleta wanted a punching bag. She wanted Ivana close so she could torture her.
Ivana swallowed her pride. "Yes," she said.
Gannon looked between them. He looked disgusted.
"Fine," he said. "But if I see you on the executive floor, Ivana, I will have security throw you out."
He walked away.
Ivana let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Welcome to the team," Aleta whispered. "I'm going to make your life a living hell."
