Chapter 3

3

The next day at the office, I ran into Manager Ward.

He had lost the lead on this project to me last year and had been bitter ever since.

He had somehow heard the news and came to rub it in.

"I heard Miss Shaw is back and she's taking over your project."

"What was the point of winning it? You were just doing the legwork for someone else."

I kept my face cold.

"This was a management decision. Since when do you have a say in it?"

He sneered and intentionally bumped my shoulder as he exited the elevator.

His words were like a blade through my heart. I could barely breathe.

I walked to my office like a zombie.

I looked through the project files one last time.

I didn't want to give it up. This project felt like my own child.

But I was powerless to protect it.

Just then, the assistant told me the CEO wanted to see me.

The moment I pushed open the door, I heard that sharp, high-pitched voice.

It was Seraphina. She looked up at me with pure disdain.

"I heard you were the one leading this?"

"I took a look. Honestly, it's nothing special."

She tapped a finger on a random page.

"I don't like this part. Fix it."

I felt a surge of anger.

"The project is in the final stages. If we change that, everything following it has to be redone."

"Silas, look at her!" Seraphina whined.

Silas gave me a warning look.

"Do what she says. Change it."

I looked him straight in the eyes, my voice steady.

"If I have to change it, then I quit."

Silas narrowed his eyes. A dangerous light flickered in them.

"Are you threatening me?"

Seraphina slammed her hand on the desk.

She pointed a finger at me and started screaming.

"Annie, who do you think you are?"

"If it weren't for me, you'd still be in that gutter! You wouldn't be a Shaw!"

"Now you think you're so big and tough that you can ignore my orders?"

"Fine, quit! But give back everything the Shaw family ever gave you first!"

Silas laughed, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Annie, stop playing games."

"You know Seraphina has a temper."

"Just go. We're done here."

After I left, he sent me a text.

"Be ready tonight. You're coming with me to a business dinner."