Skye's Code of Ruin

The company held a management meeting, and my husband's secretary was standing at the door, checking everyone's identity. Every person who entered the conference room was greeted with a bright smile—until it was my turn.

Then came a derisive snort.

I frowned and handed over my badge from the Cybersecurity Department, but he didn't even bother to look. "Skye, Mr. Fraser only pitied you enough to make you a manager. Don't tell me you actually think you're something special?"

I didn't respond. Instead, I turned around and dialed the CEO's direct line. "Someone just said this position was yours to grant out of pity. Is that true?"

The Fall of the Cybersecurity Department

"It's nothing serious. Don't take it to heart. I'm busy—gotta go."

Julian Fraser's voice came through cold and clipped, though I could tell from the background noise he was already on his way over. The secretary obviously heard it too; he rolled his eyes so hard it was almost theatrical before finally letting me into the conference room.

I thought that little act of pettiness at the door would be the end of it. But the moment I stepped inside, I could feel the air change. Everyone avoided me as if I were contagious. Wherever I sat, the people nearby would shift their chairs within seconds.

I raised a brow but didn't bother to react. I'd never been popular here anyway—people whispered, pointed, and sneered behind my back all the time. I was long past caring.

"Thank you all for attending this management meeting. Since Mr. Fraser hasn't arrived yet, I'll begin with a brief introduction on his behalf."

The secretary who had stopped me earlier took the stage, launching straight into the agenda—routine business adjustments, personnel changes, and a few other minor issues. I listened half-heartedly, scrolling through my phone from time to time just to stay awake.

"As company profits have dropped by 3% compared to last quarter, the board believes that reasonable budget cuts are necessary," he continued. That was when I noticed everyone suddenly turning to look at me, their eyes gleaming with glee that I couldn't quite understand.

Then, the secretary faced me directly. "Skye Solen, the Cybersecurity Department will be dissolved first. You haven't brought in any profit all these years, and you're the only one in that department. What's the point of clinging to a title and coasting on the company's dime? It's been a terrible look for us!"

So, that was why everyone's attitude had been off that day. I couldn't help laughing under my breath at how absurd it all was. "Are you sure? You're actually shutting down my department?"

The secretary snorted, as though I were too dense to understand human language.

That was when a few of my colleagues jumped in to pile on.

"Give it up, Solen! How much clearer does it need to be?"

"If you can't handle it, maybe you should start with some self-reflection. You've been on your phone since the meeting