"Ah—! "
Hazel jolted awake with a sharp gasp, her eyes darting fearfully around the room. Beads of sweat clung to her skin as she swung her legs off the bed and rushed to the mirror. Gripping the fabric of her nightwear, she tugged it down to reveal the smooth line of her neck and the delicate curve of her chest.
There was no bite mark on her skin.... ?
But how... ? It—It felt so real...
She was still feeling a pool of heat down there too... As though it was soaked.
Hazel bit her lip nervously.
Maybe she should ask Riley why she's feeling this way.
Hazel took her bath and changed into a black polo dress, after combing her hair which looked like a birds nest, she left the room.
"Christ, you look like a ghost! What happened? You had a sleepless night?" Riley asked worriedly as she stared at Hazel. Dark, heavy circles shadowed her eyes, making her look utterly exhausted.
"I don't know... but I still feel sleepy" Hazel mumbled with a yawn.
"Were you up throughout the night?" Riley asked worriedly.
"I wasn't. I'll just take these for lunch, " Hazel mumbled, her face blank and expression dull. Gathering a few slices of bread and some peanut butter, she slipped them into her bag before heading out the door.
Riley stared curiously at her retreating figure then shrug.
*****
••SANGUICORP••
"You were out partying, weren't you? Is that why you've got those dark circles?" Susan asked curiously, studying Hazel's face.
"I wasn't. I was busy with something " Hazel muttered with a blank face.
"Lies! Were you busy with a guy?!" Susan asked curiously making Hazel frown.
"I wasn't. Anyways believe what you want," Hazel stated tiredly.
Susan giggled excitedly.
"Who's the lucky guy? Please tell me!" Susan whined.
Hazel sighed tiredly.
"The CEO requests everyone's presence in the meeting room," Cassian announced seriously as he stepped into the spacious room. When his eyes met Hazel's, he flashed a wide smile and gave a small wave. Hazel returned it with an awkward smile.
Cassian left.
Chairs scraped against the floor as employees scrambled to their feet, grabbing their files and projects in frantic haste. They moved quickly, each one aware that the CEO's wrath could flare at the slightest fault, especially if someone dared to keep him waiting.
Hazel blinked at the sudden rush, confusion flickering across her face. Snatching a book and a pen, she hurried to follow the others.
*****
••MEETING ROOM••
At the center stood a massive, long conference table stretched across the room, surrounded by sleek armchairs.
One by one, the employees rushed into the meeting room and settled into their seats, gripping their projects and files as if their careers depended on it.
Hazel settled into her seat, her gaze darting nervously across the expansive room. The long conference table lined with microphones at every seat.
"Do you know why we're here?" Susan whispered in Hazel's ear, making her flinch.
"The CEO requested this meeting. I think he wants to see how far we've come with our projects, " Susan murmured.
"If he's here, don't look him in the eyes. Mind your words and reply the second you're questioned," Susan whispered hurriedly, then suddenly paused.
"Wait! Where's your project?" She whispered, alarm flashing in her eyes.
"What project?" Hazel blurted, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Christ! Your— "Susan's words faltered when she caught Camille's hard glare. She quickly lowered her gaze and faced forward.
Hazel stole a glance at Susan, then let her eyes drift over the employees until they landed on Camille, whose lips curved into a chilling, wicked grin. Hazel averted her gaze at once.
She bit her lip nervously, her eyes fixed on the entrance. Deep down, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
Hazel's breath hitched as Vladimir entered the meeting room, one of his close men trailing behind. Clad in a black shirt, tailored black trousers and a long black coat, he exuded cold authority. His slightly tousled black hair added a dangerously devilish charm.
The moment he lounged lazily on the sleek armchair, Hazel quickly lowered her gaze.
"Proceed with the meeting" Vladimir said, his voice cold and commanding.
"Last time, the CEO gave us all a project to work on. As we all know, we're competing against four companies—and this is not just any competition. This is about proving that our team can create the best jewelry collection on the market. " Kael declared, his voice firm with conviction.
"We don't just want to participate—we must win. That's why we're focusing on a line of jewelry that isn't just beautiful, but unforgettable. Every design will combine flawless craftsmanship with a story behind it. Our goal is to create pieces that people don't just wear—they treasure. So this is our chance to show that innovation, creativity, and heart can outshine the rest. We're not here to follow trends. We're here to set them"
With that, Kael picked up the remote and switched on the large TV screen.
"Please present your projects to the CEO," Kael said politely as he stepped aside. The employees quickly rose to their feet, forming a line to present their projects to Vladimir.
Vladimir scoffed as he picked up one of the employees' projects, then flung it aside making the employee jolt back in fear.
When he hurled the last one away, his fist slammed into the large table, sending papers flying through the air.
"This is absolute nonsense! Do you think this competition is a game? These sketches are poorly thought out and riddled with dreadful designs! " Vladimir's cold, angry voice thundered through the meeting room, each word carrying a deadly weight.
Hazel's heart jolted at his sudden outburst, her eyes catching the way the other employees trembled in fear under his glare, fear etched on their faces. Only she and Camille remained—but she didn't even have her project. No one had told her she was supposed to sketch a piece of jewelry.
"Miss Morgan...? " Vladimir called, extending his hand in silent request for her project.
Jolted from her thoughts, Hazel reluctantly extended the sheet of paper to him, her fingers trembling. Vladimir took it without a word, his gaze scanning the page with a blank, unreadable expression.
"A blank sheet of paper... ?" Vladimir's voice was low and cutting as he turned a questioning gaze on her.
"Ugh... Sir— Sir I don't have my project here with me... " Hazel replied slowly.
"So where is it?" Vladimir asked, his cold, sharp gaze locked on her face, forcing Hazel to avert her eyes.
"Ugh... I— I left it at— at home.. " Hazel stammered nervously.
"Or maybe you have nothing— because you didn't bother to work on it. " Vladimir drawled lazily.
Hazel stared at him surprised, she quickly lowered her gaze.
"I would've worked on it if I'd been told we were all assigned to sketch a piece of jewelry," Hazel said in a calm, low voice.
Camille stared coldly at Hazel, her fist tightly clenched.
"Miss Sinclair, didn't you inform her about the project?" Vladimir asked seriously, his gaze flickering to look at Camille.
"Of course I did! Hazel, you remember when I gave you those samples, don't you? I told you to use them to sketch a jewelry design," Camille insisted with a smile, giving Hazel's arm a tug.
Hazel fixed her gaze on Camille, shock and confusion flickering across her face....