Chapter 92

"T-Ten times?!" Vanessa gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She couldn't believe Sophia's audacity.

Before she could even recover, Sophia leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "And as for the promotion... you're thinking too small. Why settle for just managing the R&D department? What I really want is your job." She pointed directly at Vanessa, her tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Vanessa's face darkened instantly. This was supposed to be a temporary negotiation, a way to manipulate Sophia into compliance. But now, Sophia had the nerve to demand her position outright? If Vanessa actually stepped down, what would that say about her authority—not just within the company, but in the entire industry?

Sophia, however, remained unfazed. She reclined in her chair, arms crossed behind her head, and smirked. "Oh, and one more thing. You’ll need to apologize to Evelyn—publicly—and admit you stole her research. Then I might consider helping you."

Vanessa’s patience snapped. "You’re pushing your luck, Sophia Grant!" she seethed, her voice trembling with fury.

Sophia merely shrugged, her smile infuriatingly calm. "Funny. You told me to name my price, and now you’re upset when I do? If you can’t handle the terms, maybe you shouldn’t have made the offer in the first place. This is just embarrassing."

"You—!"

"Relax," Sophia interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "I was just joking. The real work still needs to be done, doesn’t it? I’ve got data to deliver to Mr. Reeves, and you—well, you’re our star perfumer, aren’t you? Surely you can handle this crisis without me."

She plucked a test tube from the rack, humming as she turned back to her workstation. Watching Vanessa fume silently was delicious.

But then Vanessa snatched the tube from her hand.

Sophia blinked. "Ms. Blake, I can’t work if you keep taking my equipment."

"Enough games!" Vanessa hissed. "If you want to play hardball, fine. Let’s be blunt—what did Evelyn promise you? She abandoned this company, left you behind, and now you’re still defending her? She’s making a fortune elsewhere while you’re stuck here fighting her battles. Tell me, Sophia—what’s more important? Your loyalty, or your career?"

Sophia sighed, shaking her head. "People like you will never understand. Not everything is about money."

"Sophia Grant!" Vanessa snarled.

Before she could continue, her phone rang.