SCHEMES IN THE SHADOWS
973 Words
CHAPTER TEN
Vanessa Sterling watched from behind the glass panel of her office, her eyes narrowing as she observed the chaos unfold in the conference room earlier that morning. Elena Carter—the seemingly fragile, quiet woman—had barely survived a simple presentation. And Dominic Wolfe? He had been close to losing control.
Vanessa’s lips curved into a thin, cruel smile. That reaction alone told her everything she needed to know: Elena was not just a threat to her position, she was a threat to her influence over Dominic.
“She’s too close,” Vanessa muttered under her breath, pacing slowly across the polished floor. “And she doesn’t even know it yet.”
Her heels clicked sharply against the marble, echoing through the office. She stopped abruptly, staring at the floor plan of the building displayed on her desk. Staff movement patterns. Security rotations. Employee habits. Everything. She had observed them all for weeks, studying the vulnerabilities of this so-called ‘new hire.’
“She needs to fail,” Vanessa said, her voice low and deliberate. “And I will make sure it happens.”
Later that day, Vanessa summoned a few staff members to her office. They entered cautiously, glancing nervously at her piercing gaze.
“Sit,” Vanessa commanded, her voice cold and precise.
The staff obeyed, their unease obvious.
“I have a task for you,” Vanessa continued, folding her hands neatly in front of her. “Elena Carter must understand that she is not welcome here. Make her life… uncomfortable. Subtle, but effective.”
One of the staff members swallowed nervously. “Ma’am… what exactly do you mean?”
Vanessa’s eyes glinted dangerously. “You will know when to act. I do not need to spell out every detail. Just… make her falter. Test her limits. And make sure no one suspects me.”
The staff members exchanged worried glances, but the threat in Vanessa’s tone was unmistakable. “Yes… ma’am,” one finally whispered.
“Good,” Vanessa said, leaning back slightly, her expression satisfied. “Remember: if you fail me, the consequences will be worse than you can imagine.”
Meanwhile, Elena returned to her desk, completely unaware of the growing danger. She was still weak from the morning, her body betraying her with constant nausea and dizziness. Each keystroke felt heavier, each movement more exhausting.
She tried to focus on her tasks, but every glance toward Dominic’s office reminded her of the incident in the restroom. The memory of his protective eyes, the way he had carried her carefully, lingered uncomfortably in her mind.
*Why did he care so much?* she wondered. *And why does my body feel like this?*
Vanessa’s chosen staff wasted no time. They hovered around Elena, assigning her impossible workloads, whispering rumors that made other employees glance in her direction with thinly veiled suspicion.
“Redraft these files,” one hissed, dropping a stack in front of her with a deliberately sharp thud. “And make it quick.”
Elena’s hands shook as she adjusted the papers. “I… I’ve already—”
“You missed sections,” another interrupted, their tone biting. “Do it again. Perfect this time.”
Elena took a deep breath, trying to ignore the cruel glares. Every muscle in her body was exhausted, but she kept going. She couldn’t afford to show weakness—not to Dominic, not to the staff, and certainly not to Vanessa.
---
By mid-afternoon, Elena’s nausea had intensified. Her head felt light, and every movement was accompanied by a wave of dizziness. Her fingers trembled as she tried to type, the screen blurring slightly.
The staff assigned by Vanessa noticed her struggle but did nothing to help. In fact, they leaned in closer, whispering critical remarks in a tone meant to intimidate her further.
“Maybe she shouldn’t even be here,” one muttered under his breath, loud enough for Elena to catch.
“Keep working,” another said. “Don’t let her see you sweat.”
Elena gritted her teeth, forcing herself to continue. She pressed her hand to her stomach again as a sharp pang of nausea hit, her vision momentarily darkening.
*Just… hold on,* she whispered to herself. *Just get through today.*
By late afternoon, Vanessa herself appeared in the hallway, her presence commanding immediate attention. Staff moved with heightened caution, whispering among themselves. Vanessa’s eyes scanned the office floor with precision, landing finally on Elena.
“So,” she said coldly, stepping closer. “How is our new employee coping with the pressures of Wolfe Industries?”
Elena forced a small, polite smile. “I’m managing, ma’am.”
Vanessa tilted her head, studying her. “Managing?” she repeated, mockingly. “Hmm. You appear… tired. Perhaps the workload is too much for you. Or perhaps your body is… unfit for responsibility.”
Elena’s stomach churned violently, and she instinctively pressed her hand against it. Vanessa noticed, a cruel smirk forming.
“Yes… something isn’t right,” Vanessa said quietly, her voice almost teasing. “Perhaps she isn’t cut out for this environment at all.”
Elena clenched her fists under the desk, fighting back tears. *I can’t… I won’t…*
As the day ended, Elena packed her things, feeling drained and on edge. She had barely survived Vanessa’s subtle psychological attacks, and the morning’s nausea showed no sign of relief. Her thoughts wandered to Dominic—the only person who had shown concern, the only one who had been genuinely protective.
*If he knew what was happening…* she thought, glancing toward his office. *He’d… he’d explode.*
Vanessa watched from the hallway, a satisfied smile on her face. The first phase of her plan was complete. Elena was tired, isolated, and increasingly vulnerable. And Vanessa intended to push her even further.
This was only the beginning.
- Writer
