Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone, scrolling to Jake’s number. This was more exciting than getting her degree.

The baby kicked, a sharp jab that made her press a hand to her side. “I know,” she murmured. “Everything’s changing again.”

Jake answered on the second ring. “Hey, Sutton, what’s up?”

“It’s happening,” she said, keeping her voice level despite the storm inside her. “I’m being transferred to development. Luca just told me to call you.”

A beat of silence, then Jake’s voice, bright with excitement: “Finally! Someone with actual sense around here. Come find me as soon as you’re packed up.”

The elevator reached the lobby floor. Sutton stepped out, still processing everything. She couldn’t still believe Luca was her new boss. After months of believing he wanted nothing to do with her or their baby, he’d apparently been searching for her all along.

And now he wanted to get married.

Her chest tightened. Too much. It was all too much. She didn’t know if she could do that. His family hadn’t thought her good enough. Now she didn’t know if they were good enough for her and her baby.

“I’ll be there in twenty,” she told Jake, ending the call as she approached reception.

Stacey looked up, eyes widening at whatever expression Sutton was wearing. “What happened? Did he fire you?”

Sutton shook her head, setting her phone down as she lowered herself carefully into her chair. “No. The opposite, actually.” She let out a disbelieving laugh. “I’ve been transferred to development. Effective immediately.”

“No way!” Stacey’s mouth fell open. “After they rejected you three times? That’s… wow. Did you blackmail the new boss or something? What do you have on him? Maybe I need it for a pay raise?”

Sutton couldn’t help the bitter smile that crossed her lips. Not secrets she would share with anyone. She didn’t want anyone here to know about their past. Not yet, maybe not ever. “Let’s just say he recognized my qualifications.”

“Well, it’s about damn time,” Stacey said, standing to give Sutton an awkward side–hug. “I’m happy for you. Really.” She pulled back, studying Sutton’s face. “But you look freaked out. Are you okay?”

Sutton reached for the empty box she’d been keeping under her desk for weeks, just in case she got fired or finally found something better. “I’m fine. Just… processing.”

She wasn’t fine. Her hands still trembled as she began gathering her meager belongings. Her plant was gone, thanks to Nicole. But she had a few personal items which included a framed photo of her sisters, a ceramic mug Keira had painted for her when she had been fourteen, a small stack of programming books she’d kept hidden in her drawer.

The notebook where she’d sketched out her Al virus detection system was already tucked safely in her bag. That was coming with her, no matter what She would show everyone at Cybe10 what she was made of with that program.

you’re actually escaping,” Stacey said, watching her pack. “Like, nobody transfers out of reception. Especially not…” she trailed off, eyes flicking to Sutton’s

women?”

it is here. The boys‘ club doesn’t exactly welcome estrogen into their little playground, Plus, Nicole’s been on your case

three rejections she’d received.

inform you that your qualifications

1/3

Chapter 107

second… While we appreciate your interest, we

filled with a candidate

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truth: they didn’t want a woman in their precious development team. She knew she would show them up. Thank god. She wasn’t just good. She could think outside the box and the

was this a genuine recognition of her skills, or just Luca’s way of keeping her close? The suspición burned in her

handling reception alone?” Sutton asked, guilt mingling with her conflicted

waved a hand. “I’ll survive. They

of footsteps made them both look up. Jake approached, his tall

the big leagues, Warner?” he asked, stopping at the

smile, grateful for his familiar presence. Jake and Stacey had been the only ones who’d treated her like a human being since Nicole’s arrival. “As ready

glanced at her

to lodge a foot firmly under her ribs, making her

be gay, but I’m still a man and

argue. Her back had been aching all morning, and the confrontation with Luca had

tablet she used for scheduling. Stacey gave her another

you trouble, I’ll come up and accidentally spill coffee

circuits.”

of affection for

to the elevator. Once inside, Jake glanced down at

been an

bitch Nicole is

know Nicole?”

for years. His right hand for all the wrong reasons, if you ask me. She is very good at hiding her bitchy side from

opening onto the development floor.

ergonomic chairs and dual–monitor setups. Whiteboards covered the walls, filled with diagrams and code snippets. The

walked through, heads turned. Conversations died. Eyes tracked their movement, lingering