CHAPTER 144

Days turned into a blur as Jessica navigated her new role at Phoenix Global, her days filled with meetings, reports, and a constant undercurrent of vigilance. Her cover as a prospective operations analyst kept her in the thick of the action, but every passing moment heightened her awareness of the stakes involved. She was a spy in a corporate fortress, and the tension hung heavily in the air.

The office buzzed with the sound of ringing phones and the tapping of keyboards, a symphony of corporate ambition and veiled intentions. Jessica had quickly established rapport with her colleagues, especially with a man named Ethan, a senior analyst who seemed genuinely interested in mentoring her. He was a friendly face in the midst of the cutthroat environment, and his guidance made the transition smoother.

“Great job on the presentation yesterday, Jess,” Ethan said one afternoon as they shared a coffee break. “I can tell you’re going to be a real asset to the team.”

“Thanks, Ethan,” she replie