Once I was suspended, my situation in the office only got worse.

Workplace culture had always been about sucking up to the powerful and trampling on the weak.

Those male colleagues who had laughed along with Vanessa became even more brazen, piling on relentlessly.

"Hey, Macy, take this report and shred it."

"Macy, go downstairs and pick up my package for me. Oh, and bring me back a coffee too—one sugar, no ice."

I used to be the department's top sales performer. Now, I'd been reduced to everyone's errand runner.

These people had always been jealous of me and had finally found an outlet.

Without a word, I took the trash and documents they handed me.

If I wanted to bring them down, the best thing to do was to let them run wild first.

During the lunch break, Todd snuck into the supply room to find me, looking guilty.

"Babe, are you still mad at me?" he asked, reaching out to grab my hand, but I pulled away in disgust.

He sighed. "You're just too stubborn. Vanessa has Mr. Studdard backing her, and Mr. Studdard has the VP. I'm sure you understand what that means, right?

"When I publicly told you off yesterday, it was to protect you. If I joined you in talking back to Mr. Studdard, how would either of us survive in the company? Just swallow your pride for now. Once things calm down, I'll put in a good word for you—"

"Are you done?" I cut him off, rolling my eyes.

"Todd Westman, you trampled all over your own girlfriend to suck up to management. You did something so shameless, and you still have the nerve to show up in front of me?

"Do you really think I don't know about you flirting with the other female colleagues? I couldn't be bothered to deal with it before, but if you keep causing trouble, I can't guarantee what might come out of my mouth next."

His expression stiffened. "Why are you so stubborn? I'm doing this for your own good! You think your pride is actually worth something?

"I never should've pursued you in the first place! You're always acting all high and mighty, and you don't have a single feminine bone in you. Do you really think you're some kind of catch?"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I stared at the closed door and let out a cold scoff.

Having grown up surrounded by power and ambition, I'd seen plenty of people approach me with ulterior motives.

Back then, I'd agreed to date Todd because I liked how he didn't care about a person's family background or status and just quietly treated people well.

I'd even started to develop genuine feelings for him.

Who knew he would turn out to be such a great actor, fooling even me? Still, it wasn't too late to cut my losses now.

A moment later, I pulled out my phone and sent a text.

After putting it away, I stepped out of the supply room and just so happened to run straight into Vanessa, dressed to the nines. She was wearing a Chanel couture outfit that clearly didn't match her salary, holding the project proposal I'd stayed up several nights to complete.

Today was the day to meet the Gilla Group client.

When she saw me, she stopped, waved the proposal in front of my face, and smiled smugly.

"Just finished refilling the water, Macy? Thanks for working so hard. But working hard alone won't get you far in the workplace. You young people need to know how to navigate relationships and play the game.

"Gilla Group's Mr. Kapowsky is notoriously difficult. You would've just hit a wall if you went. This kind of thing needs to be handled by someone experienced like me."

I looked at her, at that smug, self-satisfied expression, and the corners of my lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"You're right, Vanessa. Navigating relationships is important. I hope your people skills will be enough to answer Gilla Group's questions regarding the core data."

Her expression flickered for a split second, but she quickly regained her arrogance.

"That's not something an errand runner like you needs to worry about. I've got the proposal right here, so why wouldn't I be able to answer the questions? You just stay here and keep fetching water for me."

A few days later, a notification from Miguel popped up in the department group chat. He had tagged everyone.

"We're celebrating Vanessa's success in securing the Gilla Group project at the VIP room at the Grand Lyre Hotel tonight at 8:00 pm. Attendance is mandatory—no exceptions!"

The chat was instantly flooded with flattery and bootlicking messages.

Todd was especially ingratiating. "Mr. Studdard is the wisest, and Vanessa is the most amazing! I'm definitely raising a toast to Vanessa tonight!"

Seeing the screen flooded with celebratory messages, I coldly locked my phone.

Before getting off work, Miguel stopped by my desk and tapped on it.

"Macy, make sure you come to the celebration dinner tonight. Young people should learn from their outstanding seniors. Stop keeping to yourself all the time."

I looked up and nodded obediently. "Of course, Mr. Studdard. I'll be there on time."

…

That evening, Miguel sat at the head of the table in a VIP room at the Grand Lyre Hotel. He was glowing with pride, while Vanessa sat right next to him, looking every bit like the star of the night.

I was seated near the serving entrance and was basically invisible.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the room turned vulgar. A few male colleagues who loved telling dirty jokes started running their mouths again under the influence of alcohol.

"Vanessa's got serious charm. She even managed to crack a tough nut like Gilla Group!"

"Exactly. The kind of allure Vanessa has? That's nothing some bookish little girl can compete with. If you ask me, talking business in the conference room is nowhere near as effective as talking at the dinner table, right, Vanessa?"

Vanessa didn't get angry. In fact, she even looked extremely pleased. She shot them a playful glare and said, "Oh, stop it. You guys are terrible. I secured the deal with my own abilities."

Just then, Todd walked up to me with a glass brimming with hard liquor. He slammed the glass down in front of me and said loudly, "Macy, Vanessa accomplished something huge today. Don't you think you should at least raise a toast to her and apologize for crossing her before?"

The room instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes focused on me, filled with amusement and anticipation for a good show.

Miguel leaned back in his chair as he picked his teeth.

"Todd's right," he chimed in, his tone passive-aggressive. "Down that glass, and I'll forget about you spreading rumors before. You'll still be able to assist Vanessa in the department."

Vanessa looked down her nose at me.

"Macy, if you don't drink it, you're disrespecting both Mr. Studdard and me. And if that's the case, you probably won't be able to stay at this company for much longer."

Seeing that I didn't move, Todd shoved the glass toward my mouth. "Macy, don't be ungrateful! Hurry up and drink this, then apologize!"

I shoved him hard. With his flimsy build, he stumbled backward.

Looking at his stormy expression, I slowly stood up.

"Vanessa, are you sure you actually secured the deal?"

Her face grew dark. "What are you saying? Macy Monroe, stop being bitter just because you couldn't do it! Mr. Kapowsky from Gilla Group personally met with me today, and the contract is already in its final stages!"

"Is that so?" I sneered and glanced at my watch. "8:30 pm. Right on schedule."

As soon as the words left my lips, the private room door swung open.

Several stern-looking men stood at the doorway.

At the front was none other than the CEO of Gilla Group and the ultimate decision-maker for this project, Terrence Kapowsky.

He stood there, radiating the authority of someone long accustomed to being in charge.

The moment Miguel saw him, he sobered up immediately and quickly scrambled forward to greet him.

"Mr. Kapowsky, what brings you here in person?" he asked, his tone dripping with flattery. "You should've given me a heads-up. I would've gone downstairs to welcome you myself! Please, take the seat at the head of the table. Vanessa, hurry and pour Mr. Kapowsky a drink!"

Vanessa hurriedly adjusted her low-cut neckline and walked forward, swaying her hips.

"Mr. Kapowsky, was my presentation this afternoon in the conference room not enough for you?" she asked, her voice syrupy sweet. "You even came all the way here tonight for more?"

As she spoke, she reached out to link her arm with his.

"Get lost!" Terrence barked loudly, shaking her hand off with visible disgust.

The force sent her stumbling backward, and she fell straight to the floor, shock written all over her face.

Miguel froze. "M-Mr. Kapowsky… What's wrong? Is our hospitality lacking?"

"Hospitality?" Terrence repeated, scoffing coldly.

He grabbed a document from his assistant and threw it straight at Miguel's face.

"Miguel Studdard, is this how your company fools its clients? You sent a complete idiot to present the proposal? She couldn't answer a single question and even tried to flirt and make small talk with me at the conference table!"

Sharp intakes of breath filled the private room.

Vanessa's face turned deathly pale. She scrambled to her feet and explained, "No, that's not true, Mr. Kapowsky. Macy was the one who compiled the data. She set me up on purpose!"

Miguel gritted his teeth, glaring at me. "Macy Monroe, you bitch! You actually tampered with a company project?"

I just stood there, not even bothering to look up at him.

Hearing their words, Terrence's expression grew even colder.

"How idiotic."

He looked at Miguel and Vanessa, his voice icy. "The first half of this proposal was basically flawless—top-tier work by industry standards. It was the latter half that had been clearly filled with garbage data!

"Let me make myself clear! If this project is not handled entirely by Ms. Monroe, Gilla Group will immediately terminate our partnership with your company!"