Chapter 1

Priyanka Chopra’s fingers drummed impatiently against the mahogany desk, her freshly manicured nails—painted blood red—clicking against the surface. The conservative gray skirt suit clung tightly to her curves, the white blouse unbuttoned just enough to reveal the edge of lace from her expensive black lingerie. Around her left wrist, a thin leather restraint peeked from beneath her sleeve, a personal indulgence she refused to abandon even in this corporate setting.

She scrolled through employee profiles, pausing at a particular entry: Marcus Chen, head of IT, early 30s, piercing dark eyes staring back from his ID photo. His file noted disciplinary actions—some for insubordination, others for “unprofessional conduct” with male subordinates. Priyanka’s pulse quickened. Discipline would be necessary.