When Olivia Hart first walked into Halvorsen Creative, no one suspected there was anything special about her.
The modern office spanned the entire floor of an elegant glass tower. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting off the sleek desks and transparent partitions, giving the space a sleek, expensive feel. Employees moved silently between their workstations while keyboards clacked like a light rain and printers whirred in the background.
And among those neatly dressed professionals was the new intern.
Olivia seemed almost out of place in that elegant office.
Her light blue shirt was simple, well-pressed but clearly not designer. A pair of brown suspenders held up modest trousers. Her dark hair was tied loosely at the back of her head, and she wore very little makeup. She didn’t carry a fancy bag or flashy accessories.
Just a small notebook and a calm confidence.
Most people hardly noticed it.
But one person noticed her right away.
Victoria Langley.
The department manager had ruled her section of the office for nearly a decade. Tall and impeccably dressed in dark tailored suits, Victoria was known for her impeccable professionalism and intimidating presence. The click of her heels announced her arrival long before she spoke, and employees quickly learned to straighten their backs as she passed.
Victoria had built her reputation with great care.
And she didn’t like surprises.
From the moment Olivia arrived, there was something about the young woman that bothered her.
Maybe it was the way Olivia spoke calmly in meetings, even though she was the most junior employee in the room. Maybe it was the way her colleagues instantly felt at ease with her within a few days. Or maybe it was the quiet confidence behind her soft voice.
Jealousy doesn’t always require logic.
At first, Victoria’s hostility was subtle.
