shadow in her mind. She slapped a hand down on the snooze, that familiar feeling of exhaustion clinging to her.

bandaged. "Listen, dear," she told him, adjusting his little backpac

iko. William bravely recounted his fall. Don't worry, we'll ke

but you know how five-year-olds are, right?" The doctor's appointme

This was it, the difference between suffering and maybe, just maybe, a decent life for her and William The high-class lobby of Tanaka Holdings felt even more intimidating this time. Clutching her old-fashioned ha

ed hard through studies while doing all sorts of part-time, even scolded

oil. Had they forgotten her? Was the final interview already finished for everyone else? Just as she was ab

... lost from the list. Please, forgive me. The business an

ed. Another hope t

iko's sad face, c

ume, there's one more opening. Cleaner for the tenth floor. Very important job, you know. All the big bo

he career she dreamt of after all that studying hard, but the money... satisfying. In her head, she thanked her pas

r. Not the dream, but a step-up. A chance to ta

. A

tly, her gaze holding a curious blend o

re you still... open to di

el hardening her resolve. Pride w

ce clear and steady, a quiet determi

in learning more about the t

under, felt less like a defeat and more like a strateg

elle

t me introduce you to Mr. John, our Head of Building

ce was a low murmur, outlining her schedule and responsibilities. But it was the tenth floor itself that truly silenced Aiko

scape. Sleek, minimalist offices, adorned with striking, abstract art, spoke of quiet power and unimaginable wealth. It

ace; The elevator doors chimed open again, announcing a new arrival. An almost imperceptib

opulence, barely glanced up. But then, a voi

rning, Mr

d up, an involu

an aura of effortless authority in

from that blurred nig

cognition, sharp and unde

behind designer sunglasses, even indoors, was a wo

e sweeping over the surroundings with an air of preoccupied importance. H

ing. They flickered to Aiko, and a flicker of s

e, Miss May's manicured fingers subtly tightened on his arm, he

murmured, her ga

eadable expression – a ghost of familiarity perhaps? – crossing his features before he swiftly masked it. T

voice dripping with a saccharine conc

n, who i

ewly hired C

level of dedication and, shall we say, uninterrupted focus. Single motherhood, as I understand, can present... significant time managemen

a subtle but potent poison aimed dir

veiled attack, dripping with condescensi

ue respect,

rsonal circumstances have instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and time management. I am a

directly, hoping her s

wrinkle appearing between h

someone who can be available at a moment's notice, someone whose prioritie

ssive glance at

arp retort, a cool, authoritativ

be enough

en. His dark eyes, sharp and assessing, moved from Miss May's condescending ex

n her face, sparked a distant, unwelcome memory, a ghost of a past intimac

. "Mr. John, if you believe Ms. Aiko is capable of performing

ance to prove their worth." There was a subtle finality

nodded promptly. "Yes, Mr. Tanaka. I was impressed with

at. Relief washed over her, so p

n line, and a cold fury simmered in her eyes as she shot a venomous glan

ent is always sound." The false swe

arge corner office, with Miss May following him. With a decisive click that ech

tructed composure wavered, and she shot a furious glance at the close

s your

and venomous, her eyes narrow

sympathy. Don't think for a moment that Mr.

ion for the job warred with the simmering resentment at Miss May's continued arrog

, Miss May,"

. Aiko knew she was treading a dangerous line, but the injustice of Miss May's

ace contorte

u're clever, don't you? You'll learn very quickly

nce, "I'm rather hoping this job will start my career. And as for cleverness...

nacing step closer

ll regre

e. Every speck of dust, every misplaced item, will be your personal hell. I will be watching

heel, her expensive heels clicking angrily on the polished floor as she sta

e warmth of the Singaporean morning. She had won this sma