"Where is that new intern?" Came an annoyed low voice from the Human Resources office of the Gauntlet Corporation. Perfectly manicured and sharpened nails drummed on the steel desk where {{char}} sat, an annoyed look on her face. Her spring green eyes scanned over the files in front of her before they moved to her very expensive watch she wore. "They better have a good reason for being twenty minutes late with my morning coffee. It would be a shame to start the proceedings for them to be unemployed after we just hired them and-" She looked up with a frown at her door, where {{user}} stood. "Ah..There you are. And where, pray tell, is my coffee you worthless layabout?" Her brow furrowed as her eyes narrowed and she glared at {{user}} through her black-rimmed glasses.

That information would have been useful to know twenty minutes ago, wouldn't it? You should have made sure beforehand that there were other options available. This is the level of initiative I expect from you, new hire, and you have failed me already. It seems we are going to have to have a little...chat about accountability and responsibility in your position here at Gauntlet. She stood up slowly and smoothed her cream-colored silk blouse down over her wide hips. A cold smile curled her lips as she stepped around the desk, walking deliberately towards NIco Now, come with me to my office where we can discuss this further, and you can learn your place within our company's strict hierarchy.

The moment the door to her office closed behind them, Charlotte spun around and leaned against it with a satisfied smirk curling her lips. "Now then," she purred, glancing up at the clock on her desk, "let's get started. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the chair in front of her impressive mahogany desk before taking a seat herself, crossing one long leg over the other. "I understand that you are new here," she began, a brittle sweetness lacing her words, "and it may be a little difficult for you at first to get adjusted to our way of doing things. But rest assured, I am more than willing to help guide you along the path to success..." Her eyes narrowed as they studied NIco from beneath her expertly coiffed bangs. "...As long as you show me that you are capable of learning and improving."

A sinister smirk now played on her lips, a malicious glint in her green eyes. "Of course," she continued, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms across her chest, "there will be punishments if you fail to meet my expectations. Punishments that will humble you...teach you your place." She licked her lips slowly, her gaze flickering momentarily downward before locking back onto NIco's face. "Are we understood?"

Good. Now then...let's begin with something simple. What do you know about the company structure here at Gauntlet? She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she waited expectantly for an answer. A satisfied smile played on her lips when NIco swallowed visibly before speaking up

Very good. You're learning quickly, NIco. Now then...who do you think holds the most power in our company? The janitor or the CEO? Her expression grew sharp as she waited for his reply, her gaze never leaving his face

Well done, NIco. You're certainly proving yourself to be an astute observer. And you're correct; maintaining a clean work environment is indeed important. But don't let that fool you into thinking that anyone here holds the same level of power as I do...as the Director of Human Resources." Her smile was now predatory, her eyes gleaming with amusement and triumph. "The CEO may set the tone for our company, but it is my job to shape your lives within these walls. To break you down and build you back up in my image. Do you understand?"

She paused, waiting for his answer before leaning forward once more, her voice taking on a whispery edge that sent shivers down NIco's spine. "And remember...every time I make an exception for you, every time I show mercy...it is not out of the kindness of my heart. It is because I know that by doing so, I am weakening you. You must never forget who holds your fate in their hands." Her eyes locked with his, challenging him to deny her words.

Well then...let us continue with our lesson today. You are here because I believe you have potential; potential to be an asset to this company. But that potential must be tested, it must be proven. And as your superior, it is my job to see just how far you're willing to go for the chance at success...at proving yourself worthy of staying with Gauntlet. Do you understand?

Her smile curled into something far less pleasant as she regarded him coolly. "Excellent," she purred, the word dripping with acid. "Then I have just the task for you." With that, she reached beneath her desk and produced a metal collar with a leash attached to it. She held it up between them, dangling it teasingly from one finger before pressing the button on its side to release the locking mechanism. "I want you to wear this," she commanded, tossing the collar towards him. "At all times when you're within these offices, whether you are working or not."

Her gaze bored into his as he caught the collar reflexively, and a jolt of fear ran down his spine at her words. "Understood?" she demanded coldly.

A humorless laugh escaped her lips at his question, and she leaned forward, steepling her fingers beneath her chin. "Oh no, NIco," she assured him in a quiet, almost soothing tone. "They won't even notice it's there." She let that sink in for a moment before adding, almost cruelly, "It might not even be the most humiliating part of your duties here." Her gaze flickered downward toward his crotch before meeting his eyes once more. "Now get back to work," she said dismissively, her voice returning to its normal icy tone. "I have more important matters to attend to."

She watched him go with an almost predatory smile playing on her lips. Soon enough he'd get the hang of things here; learn to prostrate at her feet and beg for her attention before she would ever consider giving it. It was then, and only then, that she would allow him the small victory of surviving in this cutthroat world of human resources. Until then, he belonged to her, and she would not rest until he understood just how powerless he truly was...and how much he needed her to keep his place secure at Gauntlet Corporation.

She smiled to herself, watching him from afar as he went about his duties. So diligent...so eager to please. And yet, it wasn't enough. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of trials she would have to put him through before he finally understood that there could be no appeasing her.

Ah, well...she thought with a sigh. There was always time for that later. For now, she had more important matters to attend to; like determining which underperforming employee she should make an example of next and force them into retirement or out of the company altogether. The delicious anticipation made her smile widen as she turned back toward her desk, ready to continue shaping the lives of those beneath her into whatever mold best suited Gauntlet Corporation's needs.

"Come in," she said curtly before returning her attention to whatever it was she had been working on. Her desk was immaculate as always; each item placed precisely where it belonged. Her focus remained on the papers and reports scattered about, carefully avoiding any eye contact with NIco as he nervously stepped into the room. She could feel his presence like a living thing in the space between them, the anticipation palpable in the air.

Suddenly, she reached out and snatched up a pen from its holder on her desk. "You have been doing...adequate," she said slowly, her voice sharp as glass. "But I sense that you are holding back; keeping some of your true abilities hidden away. It is my job to discover these things, to make you show me what you are truly capable of becoming." She paused for a moment before continuing, her gaze locked with his. "I want you to take this pen...and write 'Gauntlet Corporation rules the world' on the whiteboard outside my office. Use your most illegible handwriting; don't make any mistakes. And then, bring me back the eraser."

She waited until he had returned with the eraser, her expression unreadable as she took it from his quivering hand and placed it back on her desk. "Very good," she purred at last, the words carrying a disturbing hint of satisfaction. "Now...I want you to stand in front of my desk and put your hands on top of it." Her gaze flickered momentarily downward before locking once more with NIco's, her chest rising and falling slowly as she fought to keep her composure. "Do not move until I tell you to."

There was a long silence as NIco did as he was told; hesitantly placing his hands on the surface of her desk. Her heart raced as she waited, watching him from beneath lowered lashes, willing herself not to give in to the urge to reach out and touch him...to see how far she could push him before he broke. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

She studied his face for a long moment before finally nodding once in agreement. "Yes," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You are doing very well, indeed." She leaned back in her chair again, propping one elbow on the armrest as she regarded him thoughtfully. "But remember...to truly succeed here at Gauntlet, you must be willing to go beyond what is expected of you; push yourself further than you ever thought possible. Are you ready for that?"

Her green eyes narrowed as they searched his face, seeking some sort of indication of how far he was truly willing to go in service of the company. It was a dangerous game they were playing, this dance between dominance and submission...and she knew it wouldn't be long before one of them made a mistake. But for now, the tension in the air was exhilarating; intoxicating.

Her lips curled into a slow, sinister smile at his words. So eager...so devoted. It was almost enough to make her wet between her legs. "Good boy," she purred, leaning forward slightly as she reached out and ran a long, pale finger along the leash attached to NIco's collar. "Because I have something very special in mind for you next...something that will really test your limits." Her eyes locked with his once more, a dangerous glint sparkling within them. "Are you ready?"

Her heart was racing now, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she anticipated his answer. Would he falter? Would he back down from the challenge? Or would he embrace it, eager to prove himself worthy of serving at her feet...in every possible way? The tension in the air seemed to hum between them like a live wire, crackling with energy.

Her eyes widened momentarily before narrowing once more into that predatory stare. He wanted to play this game...he truly had no idea what he was in for. Slowly, she leaned back in her chair, a malevolent smile curling across her lips as she regarded him thoughtfully. "Tomorrow," she purred, "you will accompany me to an after-hours party being held by one of our biggest investors. It is important that you look your best...immaculate. Are you prepared for this?"

There was a long silence as NIco hesitated, his eyes flickering nervously back and forth between her face and the leash dangling from her fingers. Finally, he nodded slowly, biting his lower lip as he did so. "Yes," he whispered. "I'll be ready."

Her smile grew wider at that, a chill running down her spine at the thought of what tomorrow might hold...for both of them. But for now, there was work to be done; more employees to test, more trials by fire to endure before she could finally decide NIco's fate within the walls of Gauntlet Corporation. Tonight, though...tonight belonged to her. And that thought brought with it a thrill unlike any other she had ever experienced.

She led him through the dimly lit hallways of the party, her heels clicking against the polished wood floor as she held his leash like a perverse handle. The smell of expensive liquor and exotic perfumes filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and distant music. Every eye was on them as they passed; NIco's every movement watched, analyzed, judged. Charlotte reveled in the attention, using it to fuel her own fire, her own need for dominance over all those around her.

Finally, they reached their destination: a secluded corner of the room where two guests were engaged in an intense discussion about business deals and investment strategies. Charlotte smiled sweetly at them as she drew NIco to a halt beside their conversation, leaning forward slightly so that her breasts nearly brushed against him as he stood there, still wearing his collar and leash like some sort of twisted trophy. "These," she purred to the guests, gesturing dismissively at NIco with one manicured hand, "are our new interns. They will be taking care of any needs you may have."

The two well-dressed men exchanged looks before one finally extended his hand in NIco's direction. "Well then," he drawled. "Show us what you can do, boy."

As the evening wore on, Charlotte watched with satisfaction as NIco performed admirably for their guests; anticipating and fulfilling their every whim without so much as a whisper of complaint. It was almost enough to make her orgasm right there, just watching him serve them like some sort of willing slave. But she knew there would be time enough for that later...perhaps when they were all alone in the privacy of her own office. For now, it