Chapter 1: Introduction
The elevator doors swished open, and the sound of hushed voices and clicking keyboards filled the air. I stepped out into the vast, open-plan office, sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined one side of the room. The other side was a wall of cubicles, a sea of craned necks and focused eyes illuminated by the glow of computer screens. I weaved my way through the desks, nodding to colleagues who raised their heads to acknowledge me.
As I approached the far corner of the office, the hum of conversation began to die down. People cast furtive glances in my direction, a few whispering behind their hands.
I could feel the weight of their stares, the same way I felt it every time I made my way to the corner office. Today, though, the whispers were louder, the stares more insistent. I knew why. I was headed to see Trang Nguyen, the iron-willed CEO, and everyone knew it was because I'd screwed up.
Her office was a glass box, a perch at the top of the building, where she could watch her domain like a hawk. As I approached, I could see her silhouette behind the tinted glass, a dark figure shifting restlessly in her chair.
She was on the phone, her free hand gesticulating wildly as she barked orders in Vietnamese. I paused at the door, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. I knew what was coming.
She spotted me and hung up the phone, her gaze sharp as she motioned for me to enter. I pushed open the door, stepping into her domain. The room was a stark contrast to the bustling office outside. It was minimalistic, with sleek lines and modern furniture, but it felt cold, almost sterile. Like her.
"Minh," she acknowledged, her voice deep and commanding.