I looked at Meg and forced a smile, the kind that squeezes tears out of your eyes.

My stiff fingers tapped on my phone as I typed back, my hands shaking.

[Got it, sir. I’ll remember this lesson. I swear I’ll never order a five-dollar dish again and “waste company resources.” Next company dinner, I’ll just drink water and not touch a single dish.]

A message that looked like an apology dropped into the group chat like water into a pot of hot oil.

On the surface, it sounded obedient, but underneath, it was loud and clear: an employee completely disappointed in her company.

Right after sending it, I logged out of every company system.

Then I seriously “reflected on my misconduct,” just like they wanted.

Cody, who loved saying “if you’re not in that position, don’t try to do that work,” shoved me to a desk next to the restroom.

Every day, I had to endure coworkers walking past—some looking down on me, others pitying me.

Meanwhile, Sadie smugly took over my workstation and started bossing the whole department around.

But my role? Not so easy to fill.

Every project had been handled personally by me—from design to production. I knew every detail.

But Sadie? She didn’t know a single thing. After just a few days, more than a dozen clients filed complaints, demanding that I take over again, or else they’d cancel their contracts.

The company was about to take a huge financial hit.

Finally, Cody couldn’t stomach it anymore. He lowered himself and walked to my sad little desk.

“Phoebe, these projects were originally yours. There are some technical issues now. Go coordinate and get the clients satisfied.”

I lazily looked up at him, acting confused.

“Sir, did you come to the wrong person? I’m still suspended, remember?”

He paused for a second, his voice going stiff.

“Even if you’re suspended, you still have to work. It’s company policy. You’re responsible for your own projects.”

I spread my hands.

“But I already logged out of everything. I can’t access any of the files.”

His expression froze, his eyes filled with suppressed anger.

“Suspension isn’t termination! Why’d you log out? Re‑apply for access right now.”

I calmly looked at him.

“You’re the one who said ‘if you’re not in the position, don’t do the job.’ I’m just following orders, sir.”

His face twitched, but he held his temper.

“Fine. Your suspension is lifted. Contact the clients immediately and make sure they don’t pull out.”

I smiled.

“Sir, shouldn’t you be asking your top sales performer for help? I’m just a girl who ‘uses her looks’ to get results, remember? I don’t have that kind of skill.”

His face turned the color of liver—dark, angry, ugly.

“Phoebe, coworkers joke around. You actually took that seriously?”

I kept smiling, but the smile had shards of ice in it.

“So when my Sales Champion title was revoked and I lost a 70,000‑dollars bonus—that was a joke, too?

“And me ordering a five-dollar dish being labeled as ‘extravagant waste’—also a joke?”

Each word hit him like a slap.

His face went red, then white, then a sickly bluish-purple.

He stayed silent. I knew he was wrestling with himself. Admitting he’d messed up just didn’t fit a big boss like him.

Just then, Sadie came running over, excited.

“Sir! CipherLux Innovations agreed to invest!”

Cody instantly lit up, smiling like he’d already won.

“Great! Ah, Sadie, you’re the company’s lucky star! With their company backing us, clients will be begging to cooperate!”

Then he shot me a vicious glare.

“Ms. Tuffield, you’re fired. Go process your termination right now.”

I nodded calmly.

“Sure. I’ll need the company to pay the required compensation.”

He exploded.

“Compensation? After the damage you caused? Just wait—our legal department will sue you!”

Sadie shot me a hateful look.

“Bitch, I’ll make sure the whole industry blacklists you.”

I smiled faintly. “Alright. I’ll wait.”

Quietly, I packed up my things and walked out of the company I’d fought for a whole year.

Every ounce of my passion and smarts had gone into this company. I didn’t lean on connections or favors; I built it up on my own.

And this was what I got in return: fired. My heart felt like it’d rolled over on an ice blade—cold, sharp, and aching.

Colleagues came up one by one to see me out, muttering words of comfort.

Meg, tears in her eyes, said, “Phoebe, you’re amazing. You’ll shine anywhere. Don’t let what Sadie said get to you; you’ll find another job for sure.”

I smiled but said nothing. Sadie? She wasn’t capable of understanding.

Once outside, my phone buzzed. It was my uncle, who had been out of touch for half a month.

“Phoebe, dear, I’m signing the contract with your company next week. I’ll be in Russia for inspections. Can’t make it in person.”

I frowned. “Uncle… I quit.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Trouble at work? Do you need me to step in?”

“No need. I want to go back to the company and take charge of this project.”

I hung up and let a small smile curl on my lips.

No rush; this is just the opening act.

At the signing ceremony, my appearance left everyone at my old company stunned.

Especially Cody and Sadie. The way they looked at me was like they wanted to slice me with their eyes.

Sadie sneered. “What are you doing here? You’ve been fired. You have no right to be part of this signing!”

I cast her side-eye. “So just because I’m not an employee of your company, I can’t be here? Ever thought I might be on the other side of the table—representing CipherLux Innovations?”

She laughed, disgusted. “Girl, don’t be ridiculous. The head of CipherLux Innovations is my dad. I am the client here; I can sign on his behalf anytime!

“Bold words, calling yourself the client. A cheap gold-digger like you isn’t even worthy of cleaning for CipherLux Innovations!”

Her words shot out, instantly drawing dozens of eyes.

“Oh, she’s Wesley Modine’s daughter! No wonder she carries herself like that.”

“She dares to offend Wesley Modine’s daughter? She must not want to survive in California.”

“Look at her—definitely a little slut, probably a habitual flirt!”

“Not at all what I’d expect from Mr. Modine’s daughter. She’s clearly a proper lady.”

Sadie, used to being worshiped and admired wherever she went, was floating on a cloud from all the flattery.

But when she saw me smiling wider and wider, she snapped at the security guards.

“Kick this trash out! Right now! We need to proceed with the signing!”

A few guards moved toward me, but I stayed calm. Slowly, I pulled out a seal and raised it above my head.

“Sadie… how are you going to sign without this?”

The room froze. All eyes locked on the seal in my hand.

“Isn’t that Mr. Modine’s personal crystal seal? Worth a fortune. Only he has it… He’s never given it to anyone. How did she get it?”

I walked past a stunned Sadie and straight up to the podium, grabbing the microphone.

“Effective immediately, CipherLux Innovations will cancel the cooperation contract with Godlock Company.”

Cody’s eyes narrowed to slits, glaring daggers at me in disbelief. “Phoebe! Who the hell do you think you are—representing Wesley Modine?”

I looked at him calmly. “Didn’t I just tell you? I’m the client.”

Sadie’s face went pale, disbelief written all over her. “Phoebe… how do you even have my dad’s seal? Who do you think you are, huh? On what authority are you making decisions for him?”

I fixed her with a steady gaze, speaking slowly, each word deliberate.

“Because… he’s my uncle.”