The morning sun barely warmed the crisp air outside Berkshire as the atmosphere inside the administrative department office grew more intense by the second.
Veronica stood near the center of the room, arms folded, voice sharp as a blade.
Her heels clicked against the tiled floor with each pacing step she took, scolding the team over the recent presentation that had not met her unrealistic standards.
"How can a department this large deliver such subpar work?" she snapped, her tone slicing through everyone.
"Do I have to start replacing people to get results?" Her piercing gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to answer.
Everyone kept their heads low, fingers tapping nervously on their keyboards, pretending to be busier than they were.
Then, the office door creaked open.
All eyes turned as Charlotte walked in, looking composed and professional despite the fatigue hiding in her eyes.
"Speak of the devil," Veronica sneered. "And where have you been, Miss Latecomer?"
