Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 11

**Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond**
by Sage Hunter Lane

At precisely 8:00 a.m. on a crisp Monday morning, Nyla stepped into the imposing structure of Park Pharmaceuticals. The sleek, modern design of the building reflected her own mix of nervousness and excitement as she walked through the glass doors. This was it—her first official job. It felt like a significant milestone, a beacon of hope for a fresh start after everything that had happened.

Once inside, she changed into her pristine white lab coat, the fabric crisp against her skin, a tangible reminder of her new role. Her heart raced as she took a deep breath, feeling a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. This was more than just a job; it was a chance to redefine herself, to step away from the shadows of her past.

Genevieve, the Research and Development manager, was a woman in her forties with an air of authority. She wore elegant gold-rimmed glasses that perched on her nose, and her professional demeanor commanded respect. With a friendly smile, she led Nyla into the lab, her voice ringing with pride as she introduced her to the team. “Everyone, this is our new researcher, Nyla Jayston.”

As Genevieve’s words hung in the air, a sudden commotion erupted from the front left corner of the lab. “Oh my God! Lucia! You added the wrong reagent! The whole experiment is ruined!”

A young male researcher pointed at a beaker that was emitting ominous smoke from the lab bench. The woman beside him, Lucia, was frantically trying to clean up the spilled reagent, her face a mask of panic and disbelief.

Nyla’s gaze darted over to the scene, and a wave of complex emotions washed over her. Her stomach twisted into knots as she recognized Lucia. Of all the places in the city, why did it have to be here?

Lucia, the girl who had once been her closest friend, stood there in distress, but Nyla’s heart sank deeper. Lucia’s father had been a purchasing manager at Harris Pharmaceuticals, the very company founded by Nyla’s own father. They had grown up together, sharing secrets and dreams, inseparable in their childhood. Nyla had always considered her a sister.

But everything had changed when Harris Pharmaceuticals went bankrupt. The fallout had been catastrophic, and Lucia and her father had swiftly distanced themselves from the Jayston family. In a cruel twist, Lucia had even deleted Nyla from her life, erasing every trace of their friendship and posting hurtful comments on social media, insinuating that Nyla’s family’s downfall was somehow her fault.

As Lucia caught sight of Nyla, her expression froze momentarily, a flicker of guilt or perhaps embarrassment crossing her features. Nyla couldn’t decipher what was happening in Lucia’s mind, and the tension hung heavily between them.

In that awkward silence, the lab door swung open, breaking the moment. A young woman clad in a pink suit stepped inside, her presence commanding immediate attention.

It was Jordyn.

“Ms. Genevieve, I apologize for the interruption,” Jordyn said, her professional smile bright but her eyes calculating. “I’m Jordyn, Mr. Clark’s assistant. He has asked me to address some urgent matters.”

Genevieve’s demeanor shifted instantly, her respect for Jordyn palpable. “Of course. How can I assist you?”

Nyla’s mind raced as she processed this new information. The company was part of the Summer Group, which meant that Clark held considerable influence here. Her heart sank further as she realized the implications of this connection.

Jordyn’s gaze settled on Nyla, a flicker of malice glinting in her eyes. “I heard you brought on a new employee today?” she inquired, her tone dripping with feigned curiosity.

“Yes, this is Nyla Jayston, our new researcher,” Genevieve replied, pride evident in her voice.

“I’m afraid that’s rather inappropriate,” Jordyn said, her voice laced with a false sense of embarrassment. “From what I’ve gathered, Ms. Jayston has had no work experience since graduation and has been a stay-at-home mom. It wouldn’t be suitable for someone without practical experience to be involved in a major project.”

Nyla stared at the hundreds of bottles, realizing she was being deliberately targeted. But she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of complaining. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work, her thoughts a chaotic mix of determination and frustration.

For the rest of the day, Nyla scrubbed and rinsed the bottles, her hands turning red from the harsh disinfectant. Her back ached from bending over the sink, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through, refusing to show weakness. Colleagues passed by, casting sympathetic glances her way, but no one dared to speak up.

Finally, at nine o’clock that evening, Nyla stood before the last bottle, her body exhausted and her spirit weary. The lab was eerily quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. She was alone, the only remaining soul in the vast space. Her hands were raw, and her back throbbed painfully, but she felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her.

Just as she was about to pack up and leave, the door to the storage room swung open unexpectedly. Jordyn strolled in, a smug grin spreading across her face.

“Oh, you’re still working? Such dedication!” Jordyn exclaimed, her voice deliberately loud, cutting through the silence like a knife.

“I’m done,” Nyla replied, her tone calm despite the turmoil within.

“Really? Let me check,” Jordyn said, striding over to the neatly arranged, freshly washed reagent bottles. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a dozen bottles crashing to the floor, the sound of shattering glass echoing ominously in the room.

“Oops, sorry, I accidentally bumped into them,” Jordyn said innocently, though defiance danced in her eyes. “Looks like you’ll need to clean up again. And don’t forget to pick up these pieces from the floor, too.”

Nyla felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she swallowed it down, determined not to let Jordyn see her falter. She would not be broken by their games.