Wen returned to her apartment that night with a mix of joy and uncertainty swirling in her mind. Her connection with Kai was undeniable, but a small voice inside her reminded her of the vast gulf between their worlds. He came from a family of wealth and influence, while she was still fighting for her place in the city. Could they truly bridge that divide?
The next morning, she tried to shake off the doubts, throwing herself into her work with renewed focus. Her project deadline was fast approaching, and she was determined to prove herself worthy of Mei Ling's trust. But Eric's lingering presence continued to cast a shadow over her confidence.
Late that afternoon, as Wen was finalizing her analysis, Eric strolled over, his expression casual but his eyes sharp.
"Hey, Wen," he said, leaning against her cubicle. "I heard about the gala last night. Must have been exciting for you—rubbing elbows with the city's elite."
Wen kept her tone neutral. "It was interesting. But I was mostly there to observe, not to mingle."
Eric raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, come on. I'm sure you enjoyed the attention. After all, you're working on a high-profile project, getting invites to fancy events… quite the leap for someone new, don't you think?"
Wen's patience frayed, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "I worked hard to get this opportunity, Eric. I didn't realize that made me a target."
Eric's smirk deepened. "Just be careful. People notice when someone new rises too fast. You wouldn't want them to start asking questions, would you?"
With that, he sauntered away, leaving her seething. She knew he was trying to undermine her, to make her second-guess her success. But as much as she wanted to dismiss his words, they stirred a familiar fear—that she didn't belong, that her hard-won progress could be taken from her at any moment.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself of her conversation with Kai, of the quiet strength she'd felt beside him. Eric's words were just noise, a temporary distraction. She was here for her dreams, not for the approval of people who doubted her worth.