Vivienne Cross, thirty-four, moved with effortless command. Tall, lean, and toned, she carried the strength of someone who valued her health but never overdid it. Her dark hair, long and sleek, either flowed freely or was tied in a professional bun, framing a face crowned with piercing green eyes that seemed to dissect everything they fell upon. Every step, every movement, radiated power. She didn't need to try; people simply noticed. Long legs, subtle curves, a confident stride—men and women alike were simultaneously drawn to her and wary of crossing her.
Despite the bitter rivalries of her half-siblings and the looming presence of her repulsive ex, Vivienne ran her father's company flawlessly. The media and paparazzi, ever eager to capture her, lurked around the sleek headquarters of Echelon Dynamics.
The car slowed. Cameras flashed.
"Oh, she's here!" one man shouted, holding his camera high.
"Yesssss," another cried.
Vivienne alighted, her bodyguards flanking her, shielding her from the eager press.
"Ms. Cross, how are you faring?" a reporter called out, stepping forward. "It seems Echelon Dynamics has been doing really well. Any plans for the future?"
"Hey! Back off!" one of her bodyguards barked.
Vivienne raised a hand, calm. "It's alright," she said, approaching the group. Her voice was measured, polite, yet carried the kind of authority that made people step back instinctively. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'll answer your questions."
The first man pressed on. "We heard a rumor that the U.S. government awarded your company a project—predictive analysis on natural disasters and reduction of energy waste. Is that true?"
Vivienne nodded slightly. "The rumors are true. It's an upcoming project that will benefit everyone."
A woman leaned forward. "Considering your company's success, how do you plan to provide more opportunities for young graduates?"
"We've been planning to employ a few graduate interns," Vivienne replied smoothly. "Just a few for now, but there will be more in the future."
"Is it true your ex is still connected to the company?" another reporter asked.
"And the divorce—won't that complicate matters?"
Vivienne opened her mouth, but her bodyguard interjected. "That will be all, thank you."
She allowed him to guide her gently inside.
Outside, two familiar faces watched.
"Oh, she's finally here," Damian muttered.
Damian Cross, thirty-six, a half-sibling with an envious glint in his eyes, watched every move with barely concealed disdain.
"Looks like the media got to her," Mariah said, rolling her eyes with a mocking laugh. Mariah, thirty-one, another half-sibling rival, leaned casually against the wall.
Vivienne's gaze swept over her. "There's nothing to worry about. Besides, aren't you supposed to be in your office?"
"I am," Mariah said, rolling her eyes again.
"My bad," Vivienne said, voice laced with ice. "It's not like you know what we do here anyway. You've always been the smartest when it comes to being… dumb."
"You won't speak to me like that," Mariah snapped.
"Or else?" Vivienne's tone was deliberate.
Mariah stormed off.
Damian narrowed his eyes. "I heard what you were saying outside. You're going to employ graduate interns? Interns? Dad never did that. You shouldn't change tradition."
"Tradition?" Vivienne's green eyes glimmered. "Dad would have put you in charge if he cared about tradition."
"You're getting full of yourself," Damian spat.
"Oh, I am," Vivienne said, gesturing around the office. "Look at this place. Check the internet. Everything you wear, every suit, it's thanks to me. If I wasn't busting my ass every single day making this company better, we'd be on the streets. So you don't get to tell me how I run things."
Damian's jaw tightened. "I'm a board member. I have a right at that table. Don't talk to me like that."
Vivienne's tone sharpened. "I do what I want. You can't cause anomalies in the office system. Think about it, genius. If you call off the graduate internship program, the media will ask questions. And I'll tell them my dear brother refuses to compromise and is standing against me."
"You care about your reputation, don't you?" she added, voice soft but deadly. "I'm sure you won't want to be painted as the bad man."
Damian grunted. "Fine."
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" she said, walking away.
Later, in the IT office, Vivienne addressed her team. "Upload our link to the network. You know the requirements. We want the best of the best. Age limit: 26. Today's January 15th; deadline January 31st. Alright, Sarah?"
Sarah, twenty-eight, hesitated. "But…"
"It's early?" Vivienne prompted.
"Yeah…"
"Well, we'll see who makes the cut," Vivienne said. "Liam will handle interviews. He's HR, after all. Just do your thing."
"Alright, ma'am," Sarah nodded.
Meanwhile, Damian called a number.
"What's good, man?"
"Oh God, Richard," Damian muttered. "She's being repulsive."
Richard, thirty-eight, Vivienne's ex, spoke calmly. "Anything to worry about?"
Damian's jaw clenched. "We've got to get her off the chessboard."
"Easy," Richard replied. "One step at a time."
In a dimly lit apartment, a man stared at his laptop. The cursor hovered over a link: "Echelon Dynamics Graduate Trainee Program".
With a deliberate click, he entered the next phase.