Kristoff found himself reaching for his phone again. His thumb hovered over a number he had contacted for important business deals only.
Then he pressed dial.
As the line began to ring, a dangerous thought crossed his mind.
What if it really was Isobel?
But he and she had nothing to do with each other anymore.
Again, he was annoyed with himself.
"Boss," the voice at the other line was deep and resonant, like he was used to commanding a multitude of soldiers.
"Have you found Isobel?" Kristoff asked, his voice has a hint of anticipation.
"Not yet, but we have some leads." the man said. "I still need to verify them."
Kristoff breathed heavily.
"She is just an orphan. How difficult would it be to find her?" Kristoff said sounding annoyed.
"You are right, Boss. I also wonder why."
A pause.
"Unless someone influential has picked her up."
"Impossible." Kristoff’s pronouncement caused the man on the other line to frown.
Was it really that impossible?
...
When Isobel stepped into the foyer, she noticed Morgan and Cindy entering the elevator.
The private executive elevator was already closing.
Before the doors could shut completely, Cindy quickly extended a hand to stop them.
"Isobel!" she called. "Come on."
Isobel hesitated. Instinct told her that the elevator was clearly reserved for senior executives.
Still, with both Morgan and Cindy waiting, refusing would only make things awkward. She hurried over and stepped inside just as the doors slid shut.
Cindy calling Isobel and holding the elevator and Isobel entering the elevator lasted less than a minute.
Yet it was long enough for dozens of employees in the lobby to witness it.
The CEO...
His senior executive assistant...
And an unfamiliar young woman.
The moment the elevator disappeared, whispers erupted throughout the foyer.
"Who was that?"
"She is very pretty."
"And young too. She looked like someone fresh from college."
"Did you see Cindy personally hold the elevator for her?"
"She must be important."
"Maybe a new executive?"
The speculation continued long after the elevator was gone and the gossip spread through the entire office through the different group chats.
Someone managed to snap a photo and posted it in the informal company forum.
...
An hour later, Cindy and Isobel emerged from Human Resources. An Aioryx employee badge now hung neatly from a lanyard around Isobel’s neck.
Cindy clapped her hands to gather everyone’s attention.
The conversations around the office gradually died down.
"Everyone," she announced with a smile, "this is Isobel Lancey. Today is her first day at Aioryx."
Isobel offered a polite smile.
"Starting today, she will be serving as Mr. Foster’s Executive Assistant. Please make her feel welcome."
The entire floor fell silent.
A beat passed, then came the applause.
Most employees welcomed her warmly. A few exchanged envious glances.
Executive Assistant?
To Morgan Foster?
That position wasn’t just any job. It meant working directly beside the most powerful man in the company.
And Isobel looked far too young for such a role.
The curiosity in the room only deepened.
After the introductions were finished, Cindy escorted Isobel toward the fifty-eighth floor, where the executive offices and boardrooms were located.
The moment their elevator doors closed, another elevator opened.
A woman stepped out.
She was wearing a body hugging red dress that screamed power and beauty.
"Good morning, Miss Katherine."
Several employees immediately greeted her. Everyone in Aioryx knew Katherine Hayes. She was the twin sister of Morgan’s wife.
Since Kristine rarely visited the company, Katherine was the one most employees saw.
Katherine responded with her usual graceful smile.
"Good morning."
"Miss Katherine," a marketing assistant said eagerly, stepping forward. "Who is that new employee? The one Miss Cindy escorted personally?"
A strange gleam flashed across Katherine’s eyes.
"Ah, Isobel."
Her smile widened.
"She’s very fortunate."
The employees leaned in instinctively.
For the briefest moment, something ugly flickered across Katherine’s face.
Gone was the gentle smile. Gone was the warmth.
A flash of resentment surfaced before vanishing so quickly that no one noticed.
Years of practice had made her an expert.
The sweet smile returned immediately.
"As you know," Katherine said softly, "my sister is still recovering in the hospital. The twins couldn’t adjust to infant formula."
Several employees nodded sympathetically.
"Fortunately, Isobel happened to be there. She was able to help feed the babies when they needed it most."
The employees exchanged looks.
"So Mr. Foster was grateful?" someone asked.
"Of course." Katherine laughed lightly. "When she mentioned she was looking for work, he generously offered her a position."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"After all, she did help as a wet nurse."
The words spread through the group like spilled ink.
A wet nurse. The term sounded oddly old-fashioned. Yet it immediately captured everyone’s imagination.
"Oh..."
"So that’s what happened."
"Now it makes sense."
"She got the job because of that?"
One woman exchanged a meaningful glance with her colleague.
"She’s awfully young to be a wet nurse. To be a wet nurse, she should have given birth right?"
The implication hung in the air. Nobody said it outright. They didn’t need to.
Rumors had a way of taking on a life of their own.
All it took was a single spark.
Katherine lowered her gaze, concealing the satisfaction flickering in her eyes.
She had merely provided a few carefully chosen words.
The rest would happen naturally.
Whispers would spread from one department to another. Assumptions would become speculation. Speculation would become accepted truth.
By the end of the week, half the company would have an opinion about Isobel Lancey.
And none of them would know where the story had begun.
A smile tugged at Katherine’s lips.
If Isobel thought working at Aioryx would be the start of her happily-ever-after, she was in for a rude awakening.
Aioryx could be ruthless. And Katherine intended to make sure Isobel experienced every bit of it.
After all, some battles didn’t need to be fought openly.
Sometimes, all it took was a whisper.
"What’s going on here?"
A sharp voice suddenly cut through the whispers.
Everyone straightened.
Claire Landers, the Marketing Director, had arrived.
The gathered employees immediately scattered back to their workstations.
Only then did Claire notice Katherine standing in the middle of the aisle.
"Katie!"
Her expression brightened.
She stepped forward and kissed the air beside Katherine’s cheek.
"What a pleasant surprise."
"Claire." Katherine smiled warmly. "You look beautiful today."
Her gaze swept over Claire’s fitted yellow Chanel dress.
Claire grinned.
"I should. I didn’t become Marketing Director by being forgettable."
The two women laughed.
But as Katherine joined her, her eyes drifted briefly toward the elevator that had carried Isobel upstairs.
The smile on her lips remained perfectly sweet.
The look in her eyes did not.