Fifteen years had passed since Linda shed her past, adopting the name Anna Kent. As she strutted into her office, her confident demeanor commanded attention. Her navy blue skirt and sky-blue blouse, paired with brown stilettos, exuded professionalism. Her hair, slicked back into a puffy ponytail, framed her determined expression.
As a genius programmer, Anna was highly sought after in her field. At Alkins Cooperation, she led Team 1 in the programming department, enjoying the perks of her carefully negotiated contract. Her easy-going personality made her a beloved colleague, and her openness and willingness to help others earned her respect across teams.
However, her rival, Team 2's leader, struggled to find fault in Anna's charming and cooperative nature. Outside her company, though, Anna's reputation was vastly different. Competing companies whispered about the "She Devil" – a force to be reckoned with, never lenient, and always uncompromising.
Many treaded carefully around her, intimidated by her tempestuous personality. "Jenny, call for a meeting in the conference room in 10 minutes," Anna instructed her assistant as she entered her office. "Remind them to ensure their proposals are solid." This meeting marked the beginning of Anna's final year at Alkins.
As per her contract negotiations, her last task was to deliver two projects before her departure. Alkins was a leading artificial intelligence firm, and Anna's team had spearheaded most of the company's successful projects over the past three years. As she sat down, Anna couldn't help but reflect on her journey.
After leaving the only home she knew at 13, she secured a scholarship that paved the way for her education. Her exceptional abilities earned her further scholarships, carrying her through undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. programs. Anna's academic prowess had been her salvation, providing a sense of purpose and direction.
Her unfortunate past experiences had driven her to work harder than her peers. Anna's choice of career had been a deliberate attempt to conceal her true intentions. For years, she had been secretly searching for answers about her past. Three years ago, she finally stumbled upon a crucial discovery: her mother, Fransisca, had been Georgina's best friend since school.