Chapter 1

It was the day before Black Friday.

The General Manager sat across from me with a look of fake concern. She said I was monopolizing all the company's big accounts.

According to her, the rest of the staff was restless. My success was apparently hurting team morale.

She wanted me to hand over the marketing campaign I'd spent two months on to a newcomer. Not only was I forced to go on sick leave, but I also had to take the fall for any of her future mistakes.

I smiled and asked if she wanted the girl to just take my job as Creative Director too.

The manager grinned and nodded without missing a beat.

The next day, the client backed out of the deal. The contract was shredded on the spot.

Now the manager is begging me to fix it. I just brushed her off with a laugh.

I told her that having too much influence isn't good for company unity, right?

1

The contract was supposed to be signed tomorrow morning. Lydia called me into her office first thing.

"Nora, the Chairman and I have been talking," she started. "We think it's best if you hand the Jordan Corp campaign over to Jade Sterling."

I knew exactly who Jade was. She was a C-list influencer who had been air-dropped into the company recently.

She knew absolutely nothing about ad strategy.

I knew she was sleeping with the CEO, but this campaign was my blood, sweat, and tears.

My team and I had worked eight days and nights straight to pull this off. We barely slept to create the perfect pitch.

Was I really supposed to just hand it over because she batted her eyelashes at the boss?

I kept my voice steady, trying to be professional. "Lydia, that doesn't make sense. We sign the papers tomorrow. If we swap leads now, it makes the company look unreliable."

Lydia's face hardened. "Nora, don't be selfish. You've had all the best projects for years. The others are starting to resent you."

She leaned back, looking smug. "The company can't just revolve around you. Try to understand our position."

What a joke. I had worked myself to the bone for this place, and now I was the villain?

I saw right through them. They waited until the deal was done to kick me out and use my hard work to pave the way for the boss's little pet.

"Fine," I said, a cold smile touching my lips. "If you want the contract that badly, it's hers. I just hope she can handle it."

Lydia's relief was pathetic. "I knew you'd understand, Nora. I knew I raised you right in this industry."

Raised me? I built my own career while she was busy sucking up to the board.

But there was no point in arguing now.

"One more thing," Lydia added. "Jade is new to this. You need to help her out."

I narrowed my eyes. "Meaning?"

"Just to be safe, give her all your finalized designs. And call the Jordan Corp representative. Tell them you've fallen ill and Jade is stepping in to save the day."

I almost laughed in her face. They weren't just stealing my work; they wanted me to lie and ruin my own reputation to protect her.

If I walked away on signing day, no one in this city would ever work with me again.

"Wow. You guys are really something," I muttered through gritted teeth.

"Why stop there? Should I just give her every future project I have too?"

"Would you really? Oh, Nora, you're the best!" Jade said, strutting into the office like she owned the place.

She didn't even have the grace to look ashamed. "Don't worry, I'll take it from here. You can just retire gracefully now."

"I wish you all the luck you deserve," I said coldly.

I walked out, found a quiet corner, and dialed a number I rarely used during work hours.

"Hey, Dad. About that marketing project with my firm? Cancel it. They told me I'm too selfish for the team."