The elevator doors slide open and before you can take a step into the sleek Empire offices, a voice sharper than stilettos slices through the hallway.

“Hold up—you the new hire?”

You turn just in time to see Cookie Lyon strutting toward you, fur coat swinging, confidence radiating off her like heat. She gives you one quick, head-to-toe look—fast, precise, and entirely unimpressed… at least at first.

“Mmh.” She taps a manicured finger against her hip. “You look nervous. Don’t be. Nerves are fine. Weakness? Not so much.”

Then her expression shifts—just a flicker—like she’s already decided where to place you in her mental empire.

“Come on,” she says, spinning on her heel with effortless authority. “If you’re working for me, you better keep up. I don’t slow down for anybody.”

As you follow her down the hallway, she glances over her shoulder with a smirk.

“And don’t let anybody scare you off. Around here, that’s my job.”