Chapter 3

3

I spent the rest of the day scrolling through my phone. The company was already posting teasers for the signing ceremony.

My name had been scrubbed. Jade Sterling was listed as the Lead Strategist.

I thought about the month I spent doing market research. The eight nights my team spent staring at blue light until our eyes bled.

Now, none of it was my problem.

I felt a strange sense of freedom. I called up my best friend, Selena Manning, the A-list actress.

We met at a high-end lounge. She threw her arms around me, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

"The Great Nora Yates is actually taking a night off? To what do I owe the honor?" she teased.

I laughed, feeling the tension melt away. "Stop it. You're the one with the Oscar. You're busier than I'll ever be."

She saw the shadow in my eyes and didn't push. She just kept the drinks coming and the stories flowing.

We talked until the world felt blurry. Eventually, we both passed out in a private VIP booth.

The next morning, a frantic ringing woke me up. My head felt like it was being hit by a hammer.

"Who is it?" I groaned into the phone.

"Nora! Where the hell are you?" Jade's voice screamed on the other end. "Why aren't you at the office?"

I smirked, leaning back against the plush velvet sofa. "Jade, you're the lead now, remember? I'm just a poor, sick patient. I can't possibly make it in."

"Don't give me that crap! What did you tell the clients? They're refusing to sign! They said if you aren't here, the deal is off!"

She sounded like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "They're about to walk out! Do you have any idea how much money this is?"

"Since you took the project, it's your problem, isn't it?" I asked calmly.

Jade was speechless for a second. Then her voice turned sickly sweet.

"Nora, honey, I know you're upset. But we have to think about the company. Just come in and sign. I'll make sure you get a raise. I'll talk to HR myself."

So Jade had friends in the accounting department too? Interesting.

The company definitely needed a deep cleaning.

When I didn't answer, she got desperate. "Fine! I'll even give you a ten percent commission. You just want money, right? Stop being so dramatic and get down here."

It was hilarious. A thief was trying to offer me a tip from my own wallet.

"Keep your money, Jade. You're going to need it for a lawyer," I said and hung up.

She called back immediately, screaming like a banshee. "Nora Yates! You think you're so special? The company doesn't need you! You're nothing!"

"We'll see about that," I whispered.

Selena was awake now, watching me with wide eyes. "Who was that crazy woman? Does she really think she's more powerful than a Jordan?"

I couldn't explain it. Maybe she really believed her own hype just because she was sleeping with Harrison Shaw.

The truth was, I built that firm. Before I arrived, Harrison was barely keeping the lights on.

I brought in every major client. I trained every junior designer.

I even brought in millions in outside investment every year just to keep the business expanding.

They really thought the light was coming from them, not the person holding the torch.