Chapter 3

3

Two weeks later, my mother called, demanding that I attend a lavish family dinner at a high-end steakhouse.

Kendra’s smug voice boomed through the speaker before I could even reply.

“Garrett hit the jackpot this time! He’s getting promoted to General Manager of his branch! You better not be late!”

I agreed cheerfully, playing along with her boastful tone.

Hanging up, I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I remembered what happened in my previous life.

During that very celebration dinner, my brother received a termination notice from human resources. There was no way I was missing this show.

When I arrived at the restaurant, three large banquet tables were already packed with extended relatives.

Kendra was dressed in an ostentatious crimson dress, parading around the room and bragging non-stop about Garrett’s supposed promotion.

Throughout the meal, she barely touched her food, entirely consumed by her own self-important speeches. The relatives flattered her endlessly, creating a lively atmosphere.

My parents looked utterly triumphant, while Garrett sat puffing his chest, acting as if the executive contract was already signed.

I sat in the corner, quietly enjoying my expensive steak, staying far away from their spotlight.

Noticing my detachment, Kendra frowned in annoyance.

“Clara, you really need to learn from your brother,” she announced loudly. “Haven’t you been stuck in that same entry-level position for two years now?”

I blinked in mock surprise, but Kendra didn't care about my reaction and kept talking down to me.

“You supposedly graduated from a prestigious university, yet you don't understand basic office politics. You'll never achieve anything significant in life.”

“Your brother secured this promotion entirely because of the insider information I gathered for him. You ought to take notes.”

My brother had only managed to scrape through a third-tier community college, while I had earned a degree from a top-tier university. That had always been a sore spot for Kendra.

Her backhanded remarks instantly made the table atmosphere awkward.

She was subtly telling everyone that Garrett was useless without her guidance, causing Garrett’s smile to stiffen.

I chuckled lightly and played along. “You’re right. I definitely have a lot to learn from you two when it comes to playing the system.”

Kendra raised her chin proudly, thoroughly pleased with herself as she switched to another piece of neighborhood gossip.

In my last life, I cautiously reminded Kendra during dinner that nothing was officially finalized yet, advising her to keep a low profile.

Kendra took offense, berating me in front of the entire family.

Shortly after, Garrett received his official dismissal email, turning the celebration into a humiliating disaster.

Back home, Kendra blamed the entire catastrophe on me, claiming my pessimistic comments had jinxed Garrett’s career.

Garrett slapped me across the face and demanded I hand over half my monthly salary to compensate for his lost wages.

This time, without me serving as their scapegoat, I wondered who she was going to blame.

As dessert was served, Garrett’s phone vibrated loudly on the tablecloth.

Spotting the corporate headquarters caller ID, Kendra squealed with excitement.

“Babe! That’s HR calling to confirm your promotion! Put it on speaker so everyone can celebrate with us!”

Grinning from ear to ear, Garrett tapped the speaker button.

A crisp, cold voice resonated clearly across the entire room: “Mr. Garrett Li, after an internal review regarding compliance violations, the executive board has terminated your employment effective immediately.”

The joyful chatter died instantly.

The relatives stared at each other in mortified silence, quickly grabbing their coats and making flimsy excuses to flee the restaurant.

Garrett’s face turned pitch black as he grabbed Kendra’s arm with bruising force, dragging her out toward the parking lot.

He was desperate to hide his humiliation from the public eye.

However, the moment we stepped out of the elevator on our floor, Mrs. Gable from the third floor charged at us like a raging bull.

She tackled Kendra by the hair, throwing vicious punches while screaming hysterically.

“You filthy, lying whore! You’re out here carrying someone else’s bastard while inventing sick rumors to destroy my teenage daughter! I will kill you!”

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