Chapter 51
I couldn’t recall how I got to work. My thoughts consumed me so entirely that I might have ignored Elio during the drive to the bank's headquarters. Reality only snapped back into focus when I stepped out of the car and felt the cool wind sting my face and neck, bare without a scarf. The sharpness of it reminded me of Hadrian’s cold lips brushing my skin, and a ridiculous smile tugged at my mouth. Thankfully, I caught sight of my foolish expression in the reflective glass of the building’s entrance before anyone else noticed. Mortified, I slapped my cheeks with both hands in a self-imposed punishment.
Inside the elevator, I shared the space with other employees, mentally outlining my to-do list while staring blankly at the door. I kept to myself, but they didn’t. Their gazes bore into me from every direction, the weight of their disdain palpable. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if an internal memo had gone out offering a reward for delivering me, dead or alive. I sighed, willing myself to remain unaffected.
"Ignore them, ignore them, ignore them..." I repeated silently.
"Dirty slut," someone hissed.
"Greedy bitch," another voice snarled.
I clenched my jaw, keeping my eyes fixed ahead. Reacting would only make things worse, and an elevator was the last place for confrontation.
A middle-aged man jabbed my shoulder. "Hey! I’m talking to you, you fucking whore!"
Without turning, I responded icily, “Do you realize that what you’ve just done is grounds for both physical and verbal assault charges?”
He chuckled spitefully. "I can do whatever I want, and no one here will say a damn thing against me. You’d better shut the hell up."
His audacity finally warranted my attention. I turned to face my accusers: four women ranging from their mid-twenties to early forties and six men, all middle-aged or prematurely aged by bitterness. They looked like typical office workers—low-level managers, perhaps—ordinary, yet exuding venom.
I raised a hand and pointed at the small camera embedded in the ceiling. “There are three cameras in this elevator, at least one of which records audio. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this hostility, and frankly, I don’t care. But I suggest you all calm down and shove your petty insults where they belong.” My lips curled into a mean smile.
Of course, I lied. There was only one camera, and I had no idea if it recorded sound. But my confidence was enough to make them falter. They fell silent, though their faces remained twisted with contempt.
The elevator dinged on the 11th floor—human resources. I stepped aside for those getting off, and, to my surprise, all of them exited. Each sent me a final venomous glare as they passed.
"And a lovely day to you too," I muttered under my breath, clicking my tongue.
I couldn’t help but wonder if they all worked in HR and, if so, what I might have done to provoke such hostility. But no answers came to mind. The only person I knew in that department was Vesper. We’d disliked each other from the start, but her animosity never reached the intensity of what I’d just experienced.
When I finally reached my office and closed the door behind me, I exhaled heavily. The day hadn’t even begun, and I was already drained. This wasn’t a good sign.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in," I said warily, bracing for trouble.
A young man entered—curly blond hair, cheeks flushed as if he’d just graduated high school. His nervous smile suggested he wasn’t used to moments like this.
"You’re pretty," he blurted.
I tilted my head, a wry smile creeping onto my face.
"I mean... I’m sorry!" He began bowing frantically. "Ms. Drayton is just so young and attractive. It caught me off guard..."
"Does that mean I’m supposed to be old and unattractive?” I teased.
"No! That’s not what I meant! I just thought you’d be... older."
I chuckled. “It’s fine. Thanks for the compliment.”
His grin widened, and an awkward silence lingered between us before I broke it.
"Who are you, and why are you in my office?"
"Oh, right!" He laughed nervously. "I’m Peregrine Smith, the CFO’s second assistant. He asked me to escort you to his office immediately."
"Lead the way," I replied, smirking as I stood.
Peregrine opened the door for me, clearly pleased with himself for completing his task. His eagerness bordered on comical, but I forced a polite smile and followed him.
At Lucian’s office, Peregrine wouldn’t even let me knock, instead announcing my arrival with a flourish before bowing and leaving.
Lucian raised a brow at Peregrine’s theatrics. “He’s new,” he commented dryly.
“Well, at least he doesn’t hate me like the rest of the staff,” I muttered, half-smiling.
"Yes... about that," Lucian said, smirking. "I saw the elevator footage."
His words startled me. So the camera was operational.
"Do you monitor me?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
"Hadrian’s orders," he replied casually. "Security reports any incidents. The CEO predicted you might become a target."
"Rumors, I suppose?" I asked bitterly.
"Indeed. People found out about your audit reports, and those punished for their mistakes are directing their anger at you."
I clenched my teeth. “So, those people in the elevator...”
"Fired. They were heading to collect their final paychecks."
My jaw dropped.
"Want to press charges?” Lucian asked, smirking.
I sighed. “No. They needed someone to vent their frustration on. I doubt there’d have been violence.”
"Suit yourself. Just know they won’t bother you again.”
"Thanks," I murmured, though his grin suggested he thought the matter resolved.
One thing was certain—this was only the beginning.