The sun had fully risen over the city, bathing the towering Wayne Corporation headquarters in golden light.
From the outside, the building symbolized success and prestige.
Inside, however, it was a place where discipline ruled and excellence was expected.
For Lily Carter, it was only her first day, yet she already felt as though she had lived an entire week.
Every employee she passed stared at her.
Some smiled politely.
Others whispered the moment she walked by.
“That’s the new girl.”
“The one who bumped into Mr. Wayne.”
“I heard she even argued with him.”
“And she wasn’t fired.”
“How is that possible?”
Lily kept her head high, pretending not to notice.
But inside, she was uncomfortable.
She had never enjoyed being the center of attention.
As she reached her desk, she found a neatly folded note waiting for her.
Welcome to the Executive Floor.
Rule One: Never keep Mr. Wayne waiting.
Rule Two: Never enter his office without permission.
Rule Three: Never argue with him.
Rule Four: Never ask about his personal life.
Rule Five: Don’t make the same mistake twice.
She looked around, wondering who had left it there.
Before she could ask, Sophia Bennett appeared beside her with a cup of coffee in one hand.
“I see you found the rules.”
Lily looked up.
“Did you write them?”
Sophia smiled.
“I didn’t have to. Everyone knows them.”
She placed the coffee on Lily’s desk.
“A little advice?”
“I’m listening.”
“If you want to survive here, don’t mistake Mr. Wayne’s patience this morning for kindness.”
Lily nodded politely.
“I understand.”
Sophia’s smile faded.
“No… I don’t think you do.”
Without another word, she walked away.
Lily watched her go.
There was something about Sophia that made her uneasy.
It wasn’t what she said.
It was the way she said it.
At exactly eight o’clock, an announcement echoed through the executive floor.
“All department heads and executive staff are requested to report to Conference Room One.”
Employees immediately gathered their files.
Lily looked around nervously.
Mrs. Brooks approached her.
“You’re attending as well.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“But I’m new.”
“You work on the executive floor now.”
Lily quickly grabbed her notebook and followed the others.
Conference Room One was larger than some restaurants Lily had visited.
A long polished table stretched across the room.
Large screens covered one wall.
Everything looked modern and elegant.
Executives quietly took their seats.
Lily chose a chair near the end of the table, hoping no one would notice her.
A minute later, the doors opened.
Damian Wayne walked in.
Everyone stood.
“Good morning, Mr. Wayne.”
He nodded once.
“Sit.”
The room obeyed immediately.
Damian stood at the head of the table.
“Our company is preparing for the largest business expansion in its history.”
A presentation appeared on the screen.
“We’re opening new regional offices and negotiating partnerships with international investors.”
Lily listened carefully, writing down every important point.
Damian continued.
“This project will require commitment, discipline, and long hours.”
His gaze swept across the room.
“I don’t reward excuses.”
No one spoke.
“I reward results.”
He began assigning responsibilities.
Each department received new targets.
Then he paused.
His eyes landed on Lily.
“Miss Carter.”
Her heart skipped.
“Yes, sir?”
“You’ll assist me in coordinating documents for the expansion project.”
The room went silent.
Several executives exchanged surprised glances.
Sophia’s grip tightened around her pen.
Lily blinked.
“Me?”
“Do you have an objection?”
“No, sir.”
“Good.”
He continued the meeting as though nothing unusual had happened.
But the whispers had already begun.
“Why her?”
“She just arrived.”
“Mr. Wayne has never trusted a new employee with such an important project.”
Sophia lowered her eyes, hiding the frustration on her face.
She had expected to be given that responsibility.
Instead…
The new girl had been chosen.
The meeting ended after nearly two hours.
As everyone filed out, Sophia caught up with Lily.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve certainly made an impression.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Sophia smiled.
“I hope so.”
There was a sharpness beneath her words.
Before Lily could respond, Damian’s voice came from behind them.
“Miss Carter.”
She turned immediately.
“Yes, sir?”
“My office.”
“Right now?”
“Now.”
Sophia watched as Lily followed Damian down the hallway.
Her jaw tightened.
From another corridor, two employees noticed.
“I’ve never seen him call someone into his office twice in one day.”
“Neither have I.”
Inside Damian’s office, Lily stood quietly.
Damian placed several thick files on his desk.
“I have a task for you.”
“I’m ready.”
“I need these reports organized before six this evening.”
Lily glanced at the stack.
There were hundreds of pages.
She looked back at him.
“I’ll finish them.”
He studied her expression.
“You didn’t ask if it’s possible.”
She smiled faintly.
“If you gave them to me, then you believe I can do it.”
For the first time, Damian’s cold expression softened almost imperceptibly.
“Confidence.”
“It’s determination.”
Their eyes met again.
Damian looked away first.
“Let’s see if your determination matches your words.”
Lily picked up the files.
“I won’t let you down.”
As she walked toward the door, Damian watched her leave.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, the quiet confidence of the new employee lingered in his mind long after she was gone.
Outside his office, however, someone else had been watching.
Sophia.
She saw the way Damian had looked at Lily.
It wasn’t love.
Not yet.
But it was attention.
And in Wayne Corporation, Damian Wayne’s attention was something everyone wanted.
Sophia clenched her fists.
“If Lily thinks she’s going to take my place…” she thought.
“She’s about to learn that this company isn’t as welcoming as it seems.”