enjoyebooks Chapter 4: The Backstabber
Chapter 4: The Backstabber
Diary Entry:
Date: September 6th
Time: 9:45 PM
Dear Diary,
Today was… not terrible? I met Genevieve, and she’s actually really nice. She offered to show me around and even gave me advice about working for the Braytons. She gets it—how overwhelming they can be. Honestly, she’s the first person who hasn’t tried to intimidate or humiliate me. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.
-Ivy
Genevieve Sterling was perfect. Annoyingly perfect.
Tall, elegant, with glossy brunette waves and the kind of effortless confidence that made Ivy feel like an imposter in comparison. But despite all of that, Genevieve had been warm. Kind. She had greeted Ivy with a dazzling smile and linked her arm through hers like they had been friends forever.
"You’re brave," Genevieve had said as they strolled through the sleek hallways of Brayton Corporation. "Dating Alec, working here—it’s a lot. He’s intense, isn’t he?"
Ivy had shrugged, keeping her expression neutral. "I can handle it."
Genevieve had laughed, the sound light and airy. "Good. You’ll need that confidence. Alec doesn’t let many people in, but once he does… well, let’s just say you’re special."
It had been the first time since moving to Ashbourne that Ivy had felt like she had an ally. Someone who understood the pressure, the suffocating expectations, the chaos that came with the Brayton name.
For a moment, it had felt good.
And then, everything had gone to hell.
That afternoon, Ivy had barely made it back from lunch when she was called into HR.
The room had been sterile, the HR rep unreadable as she slid a formal complaint across the desk.
Unprofessional behavior. Gossiping about the Braytons. Public displays of affection.
Ivy’s stomach had twisted. She hadn’t told anyone in the workplace about dating Alec—except for one person.
Her skin had gone cold.
Genevieve.
Ivy had stormed into the women’s restroom, her heart pounding as she spotted Genevieve reapplying her lipstick, looking effortlessly composed.
"Did you report me to HR?" Ivy had demanded, her voice sharp.
Genevieve had blinked, all wide-eyed innocence. "What? No! Why would I do that?"
Ivy’s hands had curled into fists. "Because you’re the only person I told about dating Alec."
For a long second, Genevieve had simply stared at her. And then, slowly, her lips had curled into something cold.
"Oh, Ivy," she had murmured, her voice dripping with mock pity. "Don’t take it personally. You’re Alec’s little charity project, and I’m just making sure you know your place."
Ivy had felt her stomach drop. "I didn’t say anything about you."
Genevieve had smirked, smoothing a hand over her perfect hair. "It doesn’t matter. Stay away from the brothers. All of them. Or I’ll destroy whatever little reputation you think you have."
She had turned on her heel, leaving Ivy stunned, furious, and suddenly very, very alone.