Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 127

Sutton had barely taken three steps into the development room when someone let out a long, theatrical whistle.

Then there was clapping. Not sarcastic slow clapping, but actual clapping. A solid round of applause. Everyone was watching her.

Sutton paused in the doorway, blinking at the strange yet enthusiastic reception. “Did I win an award I don’t know about? Is someone behind me holding a pizza box? What’s going on?”

“Way to go, Warner!” Kevin called out, grinning. The same Kevin who’d grilled her on isolation protocols just days ago. “Head of cybersecurity!” Tyler added, giving her an approving nod. “It’s about damn time this place recognized actual talent.”

Great, Extra great. Sutton blinked, taken aback by the unexpected show of support. She’d anticipated jealousy, resentment, or at the very least, suspicion about how she’d landed the promotion. “Thanks,” she managed, attempting to smile through her bewilderment. “But I, uh… haven’t officially accepted yet.”

Sutton’s eyes scanned the faces around the room. There were about ten people there, and not one looked irritated. Or threatened. There were no side- eyes, no tight jaws, no passive–aggressive mouse clicks.

Elliott raised a can of soda. “Congrats, Sutton. You deserve it.”

“You’d be crazy not to,” Drew said, approaching with a cup of coffee that he handed to her. “The way you handled that virus attack was impressive. I couldn’t have tracked the source like that.”

She smiled, a little stunned at the lack of bitterness in the air. “Thanks,” she said softly. “Really. That… means a lot.”

Jake appeared at her side, leaning in to whisper, “See? Told you they’d come around once they saw what you could do.”

“I didn’t expect it to be quite so… enthusiastic,” she murmured back.

Jake grinned. “Nothing earns a coder’s respect faster than elite hacking skills. You basically achieved legend status.”

Sutton blinked a few times and cleared her throat. “Don’t make me emotional before lunch. I forgot to wear waterproof mascara.”

“Lunch is emotional when you’re this pregnant,” Jake replied, tongue in cheek.

She turned away, grinning. “You’re a menace,” she said with a smirk.

Jake grinned at her. “Well, I have work to do.” He air kissed her before he left the floor.

As she sat down at her workstation, she tapped open a secure diagnostics window, running a series of sweeps through the backend system, thorouh traces to ensure Miles or Nicole hadn’t tampered with anything she hadn’t known about.

No glitches. No unauthorized logins. Everything was stable.

She exhaled. Finally. One normal day.

Around 3:27 PM, Sutton leaned back and stretched. Her lower back ached, and her ankles felt like she’d walked ten miles uphill carrying a watermelon. She rubbed her belly and glanced at the clock again. She should head out in a little while.

She picked up her phone and sent luca a quick text.

Sutton: Done for today. Systems are clean and calm. I’m heading home, though. Legs are toast.

The reply came fast. As in barely a ten–second delay fast.

And pick you up

C

Chapter 127

stared at the screen. She was too tired to roll her

No, it’ll just make people talk. Especially

you’re

That made her hesitate.

yet. But just in case

you’ll take the car I’ve arranged for you. It’s waiting

at the screen, eyebrows

When did you do that?! I told you I’d

waiting for you to

You didn’t even know if

didn’t think I would get an answer for that one, so I made up your mind

Sutton: Luca…

my peace of mind,

above her screen. She sighed, knowing this was one battle

in twenty minutes. Give me time to tie up a

emoji

have news about

straight down

kind

you when I

Her fingers hovered again.

Keira. We’ll meet

tuca:

laugh out loud,

still convinced she needs to threaten you with a meat cleaver before letting you hold your own child, let alone

Luca: Can’t wait.

we’ll save the

to wear a

your guilt.

247%

Chapter 127

you what I found out about Miles.

respond to

turned back to her computer to finish documenting her work. As she

gathered her things. As she stepped outside, a sleek town car was waiting for her outside, the driver standing at attention beside the rear door. “Ms. Warner?” he

me,” she confirmed. She got

Keira to let her know she was on her way home, then closed her eyes for a moment, finally letting the fatigue of the

newly returned from their honeymoon. Keira, with her razor sharp tonque and protective instincts. And Luca, trying to navigate this complex family dynamic while also

out.

if accepting it would complicate things further with Luca. Work and personal life entangling even