Chapter 359

"You...just wait!"

Olivia Kensington was left gasping for breath after her confrontation with Sophia Montgomery. Her lips turned an unnatural shade of purple as she clutched her chest, struggling to steady herself. With an unsteady gait, she limped out of the design department, her pride wounded.

"You really think you're something, don't you?" Elizabeth Dawson sneered behind Sophia’s back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sophia ignored her.

She had more pressing matters to focus on—like the glaring flaws she’d discovered in Elizabeth’s designs.

Elizabeth’s work was undeniably flashy, catching the eye with its extravagant details. But architecture wasn’t fashion.

A building needed more than just beauty—it needed stability.

How could a senior designer like Elizabeth overlook something so fundamental?

Sophia glanced up at her.

Elizabeth was already whispering to her clique, her smirk widening. "Oh, look at the new girl, thinking she’s special just because Mr. Montgomery gave her a second glance yesterday. Newsflash—he barely steps foot in this office. He might not even remember your name today."

Sophia arched a brow. "And why do you think he noticed me at all?"

Elizabeth’s grin turned predatory. "Because even the most refined palate gets tired of gourmet meals. Sometimes, they crave something... rustic. A change of taste."

The office erupted in laughter.

Elizabeth feigned innocence. "Oh, don’t take it personally, Sophia. We tease all the new hires like this. You don’t mind, do you?"

Sophia smiled coolly. "Not at all."

"Great! Then get back to proofreading," Elizabeth chirped, waving her off.

Sophia had just settled back into her seat when she noticed something off.

Her chair wasn’t the same.

Outwardly identical, but the tilt was wrong—just enough to be dangerous.

Her instincts screamed trap.

Casually, she gathered her files and approached Elizabeth’s desk. "I’ve finished reviewing these. Here you go."

Elizabeth blinked, taken aback.

Sophia continued smoothly, "I’m heading to lunch early. Less staring that way."

Elizabeth scoffed. "Oh, learning the ropes already, are we?"

Sophia’s smile didn’t waver. "Survival skills."

She walked out before Elizabeth could respond.

The moment the door closed, the office buzzed with hushed excitement.

"Damn, Olivia’s plan failed."

"Relax, she hasn’t figured it out yet. She’ll be back."

"Isn’t this going too far?" someone murmured uneasily.

"Not our problem. She shouldn’t have pissed off Olivia."

"But if something happens—"

"We didn’t see anything."

The whispers died as quickly as they started.

Sophia didn’t go to the cafeteria.

Instead, she headed straight for the administrative floor and pulled Sophia Carter aside.

"What’s wrong?" Sophia Carter frowned at her. "And why are you still dressed like that? You’re prettier than half the women here. If you dressed up, maybe Mr. Montgomery would actually—"

Sophia cut her off. "I need a favor."

Sophia Carter’s eyes narrowed. "What kind?"

"Can you get me into the security room? I need to check the surveillance footage."

Sophia Carter’s jaw dropped. "What happened?"

"I’m not sure yet," Sophia admitted. "But I need proof."

Without hesitation, Sophia Carter grabbed her wrist. "Let’s go."

They stopped short outside the security room.

"Wait," Sophia Carter muttered. "We need to bribe them first."

Sophia nodded. They ducked into a convenience store, bought two packs of premium cigarettes, and returned.

The guards perked up at the sight of them. "Can we help you ladies?"

Sophia smiled sweetly. "I’m a new designer. I misplaced a small tool during proofreading. Could you check the footage to see where I might have dropped it?"

She slid the cigarettes across the counter.

"Thank you."