Challenge At The Door

The hallway leading to Trinity Solaris's new CEO office was a showcase of Shield Group's elegance—gleaming marble floors, polished metal fixtures, and towering glass walls that reflected the morning light. It was a space meant to inspire awe and respect. Yet two figures stationed outside the heavy double doors marred the pristine scene, their presence as out of place as cheap perfume at a luxury gala.

Stephanie Gray, a secretary with an exaggerated sense of self-importance, stood with her arms crossed. Her ill-fitting knockoff designer suit and garish makeup gave her the appearance of someone trying far too hard. She wore a sneer that only highlighted her mediocrity.

Beside her was Hank Wallace, a greasy, overweight security guard clutching a box of donuts. His stained shirt stretched over his gut, his tie askew, and his thinning hair slicked back with far too much gel. Hank's small, piggish eyes darted toward every passing woman, his lecherous smirk making more than a few employees avert their gaze.

As Trinity Solaris approached, her silver-white hair gleaming like a crown, Stephanie straightened, her sneer widening. Hank stuffed another donut into his mouth, crumbs tumbling onto his shirt.

"Stop right there," Stephanie said, her voice laced with condescension. "This office is for the CEO. You can't just walk in like you own the place."

Trinity paused, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. Behind her, Nova Frost arched an elegant brow, her icy silver eyes scanning the duo with open disdain.

"Can't walk in?" Trinity repeated, her tone calm but cutting. "You're blocking the entrance to my office."

Hank snorted, his laugh muffled by another bite of donut. "Your office? That's funny. The CEO doesn't need to sneak in like some random lady off the street. Why don't you turn around and save yourself the embarrassment?"

The Domineering Female CEO System chimed in gleefully:

"Host, introducing Stephanie Gray and Hank Wallace, stars of the comedy 'Who Hired These Clowns?' Confidence level: misguided. Suggest dismantling immediately."

Stephanie stepped forward, her cheap heels clacking loudly on the marble floor. "Listen, sweetheart," she said, her voice dripping with faux professionalism. "This is a professional space. You don't exactly look like someone who belongs here. Maybe try HR instead?"

Nova let out a soft snort, folding her arms. "Unbelievable," she muttered.

Trinity's lips curled into a faint smile. "And you are?"

"Stephanie," the secretary replied, flipping her over-processed blonde hair over one shoulder. "I work directly with Mr. Gregson in HR. He personally approved me for this role. I'd know if you were supposed to be here."

Trinity tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming. "Mr. Gregson? Interesting. And who authorized him to make decisions about my office?"

The system chimed, its tone dripping with mockery:

"Host, it seems Mr. Gregory Gregson is playing fast and loose with hiring policies. Suggest investigating this further."

"Mr. Gregson hired me because he knows how a real office should run," Stephanie continued smugly. "Not like... whoever you are."

Hank chuckled, crumbs tumbling from his mouth. "Yeah, Gregson said Fury's got big plans for this place. You? You're just a placeholder."

A soft murmur rippled through the hallway as employees began gathering at a respectful distance, their curious gazes locked on the unfolding scene.

One whispered to another, "Do they not know who she is? That's Trinity Solaris—the most domineering CEO in the world."

Another scoffed. "Stephanie and Hank are complete idiots. They're lucky she hasn't crushed them already."

Trinity glanced toward the gathering crowd, then back at the duo blocking her way. "You're quite the pair," she said smoothly. "One of you is trying desperately to look professional, while the other looks like he just rolled out of bed at a truck stop."

Hank bristled, his face flushing an unflattering shade of red. "Hey, watch it, lady! I'm the security here. I could throw you out if I wanted to."

Nova smirked. "Please, by all means, try. I'd love to see how that goes for you."

The system chimed with mock encouragement:

"Host, Hank's delusion is reaching comedic levels. Suggest dismantling him next."

Stephanie, emboldened by Hank's bluster, sneered at Trinity. "You think you're so special because you're wearing a nice suit? Newsflash: this office is for real CEOs, not wannabe fashion models playing dress-up."

Trinity took a step forward, her golden eyes locking onto Stephanie's. "Nice suit? Stephanie, do you even know what a real designer suit looks like? Because that knockoff you're wearing isn't fooling anyone."

The crowd murmured in amusement as Stephanie's confidence faltered. "What are you talking about?" she snapped.

Trinity smiled faintly, gesturing toward Stephanie's poorly tailored jacket. "The stitching is uneven, the fabric is synthetic, and the buttons are cheap plastic. Shall I go on?"

The system chimed:

"Host, Stephanie's ego has been critically damaged. Suggest finishing her off."

"And the makeup," Trinity continued, her tone sharp. "You do know there's a difference between bold and garish, don't you? Or did Mr. Gregson's hiring standards not include basic grooming?"

Stephanie's face flushed a deep red, her composure unraveling.

The crowd chuckled softly, one employee whispering, "She doesn't stand a chance against Trinity. This is brutal."

Trinity turned her attention to Hank, who was now nervously fidgeting with his donut box. "And you," she said coolly. "What exactly is your excuse for blocking my office?"

"I'm just doing my job," Hank muttered, avoiding her gaze.

"Your job?" Trinity arched a brow. "Is that what you call standing around eating donuts while insulting the CEO of the company you're supposed to protect?"

Hank bristled again. "You're not the CEO! Gregson said we were supposed to make sure only the real CEO gets in here!"

The system chimed with mock approval:

"Host, Hank's loyalty to Gregson is adorable. Adorably misplaced."

Trinity reached into Hank's donut box and plucked out a glazed donut, holding it up for the crowd to see. "Ladies and gentlemen," she said, her voice carrying, "meet the caliber of employees Mr. Gregson sends to sabotage my company. Greasy, incompetent, and underqualified. Truly inspiring."

The hallway erupted into laughter as Hank's face turned a deep shade of crimson.

Nova stepped forward, her voice cool. "Should we have them removed now, or would you like to continue their education?"

Trinity smirked. "Not yet. I want them to understand exactly why they don't belong here."

The system chimed one last time for the chapter:

"Host, chapter progress 80% complete. Suggest extending humiliation into Chapter 6 for maximum impact. Also recommend investigating Gregson's hiring practices in future missions."

Trinity's golden eyes gleamed as she turned back to Stephanie and Hank. "Don't worry," she said smoothly. "We're just getting started."

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