Chapter 5

"Lyrik, you actually came!" exclaimed Liam.

It was my first day at the Apex Group. I had barely stepped into the lobby of the Apex Tower when I heard his annoying voice.

Liam wore a brand-new suit, and he stood by the marble reception desk with Seraphina by his side. She was dressed to impress.

Clearly, they had been waiting for me. They were ready to embarrass me as a welcome gift.

"I told you she would come. Still couldn't help but follow me, huh? How pathetic," said Liam loudly. He made sure everyone nearby would hear.

The employees nearby started whispering, glancing at us curiously.

Seraphina giggled and hooked her arm around his. "Don't say that, Liam. Maybe Lyrik just wants a job. Competition here is tough though, and the turnover rate is high. Are you sure you can handle this kind of pressure?" asked Seraphina as she turned to me with a provoking gaze.

I ignored them and walked straight to the elevator.

However, Liam was not done yet.

"Wait," he called out.

He hurried after me and said with superiority, "Lyrik, since we have history, I can look after you. I'm the marketing director now, you know. If you admit you were wrong, we might be able to start over."

"Step aside," someone interrupted.

The voice came from behind us. It was low and full of authority.

Everyone turned to see Adrian standing there, silent and imposing.

He only stood there and did not do anything, but his intimidating Alpha presence made the lobby fall silent.

It was so quiet as if the air itself froze.

Liam was intimidated, and he instinctively lowered his head. He could not make eye contact with Adrian.

His body trembled slightly as if his nature was crushed by something far greater than him.

"Adrian, sir," said Seraphina.

She tried to stay calm, but her voice was shaky, and there was sweat on her forehead.

Adrian ignored her completely and walked to my side.

The staff instinctively cleared a path when he appeared. No one dared to make a sound.

"Starting today, Lyrik is my special consultant. She will directly report to me. Her rank is above the marketing director," he said.

Adrian's voice was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly.

The lobby was dead silent.

Liam widened his eyes in disbelief. Moments ago, he had been bragging about his position, only to discover my position outranked his.

"Also, anyone caught bringing personal disputes into work hours will face disciplinary action," added Adrian with authority in his voice.

His gaze swept over Liam and Seraphina. Both of their faces turned pale.

"Any questions?" asked Adrian calmly, but the threat was clear.

"No, sir," answered everyone in unison.

Adrian led me into the private elevator, leaving behind everyone who looked at each other.

The lobby erupted with hushed voices as soon as the doors closed.

By four o'clock, after my first project meeting, I was in my office sorting files when Seraphina showed up at the door.

She wore a fake friendly smile, but the malice in her eyes was obvious.

"Lyrik, can we talk privately?" she asked.

Her voice was so sweet that it made my skin crawl.

I gestured for her to sit, and I was curious what trick she had up her sleeve.

"I know we have some misunderstandings, but as a woman, I feel I should remind you of something," she said.

Seraphina went straight into it, and she folded her hands neatly on her lap.

"What is it?" I asked, setting my files aside as I looked at her.

She leaned closer and her voice suddenly turned cruel. "Adrian is the most powerful Alpha in North America. He's destined to be with a woman of the highest bloodline. You, Lyrik, are a woman marked by a Beta, a useless piece of trash abandoned by a man. Do you think a powerful Alpha would ever want you?"

I had to laugh at her twisted expression. "Are you threatening me, Seraphina? My position is higher than yours, you know. Do you think you can threaten me?"

"I'm only reminding you of reality. Don't think that you can turn things around by clinging to Adrian. Someone like you will be eliminated eventually, and when that happens, don't say I didn't warn you," she said.

She stood up and glared down on me with superiority.

Her jealous demeanor was a joke to me.

Then, she left my office on her heels, feeling smug and satisfied.

However, she did not know that I stopped being afraid of cheap threats like that a long time ago.