Chapter 1

I won the grand prize at our annual corporate gala.

It was an exclusive lunch date with the CEO.

I was already brainstorming ways to decline when my manager's little lapdog started barking.

"Gwen Grant, you're just a rookie. Your luck is suspiciously good!"

"What have you even done for this company to deserve the grand prize?"

"You should hand this over to someone in leadership who actually earns it!"

My department manager, Gary Logan, saw my silence and turned red with rage.

"How ungrateful! Some people think just because they have a pretty face, they can use it as a ladder to skip the line!"

Fine, whatever. If you want the spot that badly, take it.

Besides, I wasn't exactly dying to have another meal with my overprotective, sister-obsessed older brother anyway!

1.

"Oh my god, the CEO? I heard he's young and incredibly hot!"

"Gwen is so lucky. If she catches his eye, she'll be set for life!"

Hearing the whispers around the office, I wanted to crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment.

What was my brother thinking?

We had specifically agreed to pretend we didn't know each other at the office so I wouldn't have to deal with his nonsense.

Then he pulls a stunt like this!

I was trying to come up with a polite excuse to bail when Dani Lane, who was hired in the same batch as me, sauntered over.

"Wow, Gwen. You really are the chosen one, aren't you? Winning a prize like that out of nowhere."

She spoke with a sharp, piercing voice, loud enough for the entire floor to hear.

My colleagues all stopped what they were doing to stare.

I looked up to see Dani crossing her arms, her eyes dripping with mockery.

"What value do you even bring to this firm? There's no way you earned this."

"You should give that lunch to Manager Logan! Under his leadership, our department actually hit its targets!"

Before I could even open my mouth, a loud cough came from behind her.

Gary Logan, my manager, stood up from his chair. He was a middle-aged man with a beer belly that looked like it was about to pop his shirt buttons.

He swirled his coffee mug, wearing a fake, oily smile.

"Now, Dani, let's not be too hard on her," he said.

Then his tone shifted as he looked at me with pure condescension.

"But Gwen, I'm sure you know what the right thing to do is, don't you?"

I honestly didn't want the lunch date.

But I definitely didn't appreciate being bullied into giving it up.

When I didn't immediately agree, his fake smile vanished, replaced by a cold sneer.

"What's the matter? Do some people think their looks are a VIP pass to the top floor?"

"Listen, kid. Don't be ungrateful."

He narrowed his eyes and added a heavy threat.

"Hmph. Your probation period is almost up, isn't it? It would be a shame if―"

I thought he was just blowing smoke, but right before the end of the day, a notification popped up on my screen.

The subject line was blunt: "Notice of Probationary Review Results."

"Based on our evaluation, your performance does not meet company standards. Your employment is terminated effective immediately. Please complete your hand-off by tomorrow."

BANG!

I kicked open the manager's office door. Inside, Dani was giggling while leaning far too close to Gary's shoulder.

He frowned as I stormed in.

I slammed the termination letter onto his desk and asked coldly, "What is the meaning of this?"

Gary glanced at the paper and leaned back in his leather chair, scoffing.

"The email was clear. You failed your probation."

I stared him down. "Then tell me exactly where I failed."

Gary waved his hand dismissively, looking annoyed.

"Do I really need to spell it out? People have complained that you're a toxic team player and that you constantly steal credit."

I let out a sharp, cold laugh.

"I've handled three major projects during my probation. Not only were they on time, but they exceeded the KPIs by twenty percent."

"The team meetings you mentioned? I have the logs that show exactly who did the work."

I paused and glared at Dani.

"I think what you mean is that some people do nothing but talk, and then use their 'connections' with management to steal the glory."

"Watch your mouth!" Gary roared, slamming his fist on the desk as he stood up.

His face turned a deep, angry purple, and his fatty frame trembled with rage.

"I am the manager! If I say you're incompetent, you're incompetent! Now, get the hell out of my office!"