Noelle watched Bobby lavish attention on Xenia, a smile plastered on his face. She felt nothing. Xenia, though initially surprised by Bobby's warmth, still harbored resentment towards Noelle, the Liddell heiress. The corporate dance was familiar; everyone shifted allegiances like the wind. Bobby, clearly tipped off by Lucas, ignored Noelle completely.

"I'm new," Xenia purred, accepting Bobby's flattery, "and eager to learn."

"A pleasure," Bobby boomed. "With you here, our branch will soar! Tea?"

Xenia, triumphant, shot Noelle a pointed glance before sweeping into Bobby's office. Noelle calmly headed to HR.

"IT first," the HR manager snapped, barely looking at her resume. "Performance dictates whether we hire you." They'd hired several others to fix the firewall; no one could. Noelle didn't mind; this wasn't a career move, just a few days' work.

Isaac Parry, the IT team lead, scoffed at Noelle's youth. "A mistake, HR? Sending us a kid?" They'd seen the best, and none had cracked the firewall. This teenager?

"I'll see what I can do," Noelle replied, unfazed.

She sat down and began working. She remembered Isaac; in her previous life, he'd testified for Xenia, falsely crediting her with the firewall fix.

Soon, Xenia and Bobby emerged, Bobby announcing, "Everyone, meet Ms. Liddell! Our new colleague!"

Xenia smiled, the picture of charm. Isaac practically fawned. "A pleasure to have such a distinguished addition to our team!"

Noelle remained at her computer, oblivious to the fanfare. A coworker whispered, "Ms. Liddell has it made. Unlike us peons."

"She's here for the firewall," another chimed in, "but she looks barely out of college. What does she know?"

Noelle had heard it all before. In her past life, Xenia had shadowed her, feigning interest, undermining her efforts, and ultimately stealing the credit.

Xenia approached, heels clicking, perfume heavy in the air. Isaac jumped to his feet. "Ms. Liddell, can we assist?"

Xenia glanced at Noelle, a smirk playing on her lips. "Just checking on the firewall. Still unresolved?"

Isaac, eyes on Noelle, said, "Working on it. We even brought in someone new. It'll be fixed soon." He glared at Noelle. "Get up. Greet Ms. Liddell. Tell her your plan."