Chapter 1

The new lead developer at my firm was a self-proclaimed genius with a massive chip on her shoulder. She claimed she was here to fix the toxic corporate culture.

During a high-stakes dinner with our biggest investor, she didn't just refuse to play along. She flipped the table and slapped the client across the face.

"My value lies in my technical skills, not in playing hostess," she declared. "Pandering to these archaic social games is an insult to my dignity."

Jasper Vance, our CEO, watched in horror as the investor tore up a twelve-million-dollar contract on the spot. The man swore he would never work with us again.

As the Product Director, I had to spend the night groveling. I drank until I was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning just to keep the company from sinking.

When I finally got out and demanded Jasper handle the situation, he brushed me off. He looked at me with total indifference.

"If an employee messes up, it's because their superior failed to manage them," Jasper said. "Your year-end bonus is canceled. Consider this a wake-up call."

I had reached my limit. I added Maya Sterling's name to the layoff list for the upcoming restructuring.

She wasn't even scared. She looked at me with pure disdain.

"I have real talent, unlike a brown-noser like you who only knows how to kiss ass," she sneered.

"If anyone tries to move me, the entire project will crash. Don't come crawling back to me when you're crying over the ruins."

I didn't argue. But when the final layoff list was posted, my own name was at the very top.

Jasper claimed it was a "clerical error," then used the opportunity to force me out. He immediately promoted Maya to Director and gave her executive powers.

"You only reached the top because this company carried you, Evelyn," Jasper told me. "Maya is young and actually has talent. She'll take us to heights you never could."

I let out a cold laugh. I packed my core tech files and headed straight for the doors of our biggest competitor.

1.

"Mr. Thorne, I've decided to take the offer. Is there any room to negotiate the salary package we discussed?"

Inside the sleek office of our rival firm, I laid a heavy folder on the desk. I was ready to play hardball.

"Of course," Marcus Thorne replied with a shark-like grin.

"Evelyn, you're the most formidable woman in this industry. If you sign today, I guarantee your annual dividends will be in the seven-figure range at minimum."

With that promise, I felt zero regret leaving my old firm behind. I signed the contract without a second thought.

I went back to my old office to finish the hand-over. Looking at the familiar decor, I felt a pang of bitterness.

I joined this startup right after college, full of dreams. Jasper Vance had sold me a vision, and I bought it.

I spent ten years climbing from an entry-level sales rep to Product Director. I sacrificed my health, my sleep, and my social life for that place.

I generated millions in profit for Jasper. And yet, the moment Maya showed up, he handed her my legacy on a silver platter.

"Oh, look who's back. Is the job market that bad, Evelyn?"

I ran into Maya and a few former colleagues near the elevator. She looked me up and down with a smug expression.

"Don't be too sad. In this world, as long as a woman is willing to be... flexible with her morals, she'll always find a way to eat."

I ignored her, but she stepped in my way, blocking the path.

"What's the rush? Did I hit a nerve?" she asked, raising her voice for everyone to hear.

"Everyone knows how you landed those contracts. You enjoyed the perks back then, so why act like a saint now?"

The office went quiet as people began to stare. I could feel their judgmental eyes crawling over me.

"Maya, watch your mouth," I snapped. "If you think business is only done in bed, you're insulting every woman in the sales department."

Bella Reed, my former assistant, let out a sharp giggle.

"Evelyn, she's just saying what we're all thinking. There's no need to get so defensive unless it's true."

The other colleagues nodded in agreement, their faces full of mockery.

"She's not the boss anymore, but she's still trying to act tough," someone whispered.

"I always hated how she hogged all the resources. Maya is only behind because she actually has standards."

I felt a chill run through my veins. These were people I had worked with for years.

"I treated you all like friends. I protected your jobs when the company was failing," I said, my voice trembling with anger.

"Bella, you sent a cost sheet to a client instead of a quote when you started. I stayed up all night fixing it so you wouldn't get sued for millions."

I pointed at another man in the group. "And you. Who gave you their own bonus when you couldn't afford rent? Have you forgotten?"

Maya stepped in, cutting me off. "Helping juniors is your job. Why are you trying to use favors from years ago to guilt-trip them now?"

The colleagues looked relieved, praising Maya for her grace while labeling me as petty. I stopped arguing and walked toward my private office.

When I pushed the door open, my blood boiled. My personal belongings were scattered everywhere.

My computer was logged in, my private files and chats were open. The locked drawer had been pried open, and its contents were gone.

Even the framed photo of my family had been torn to shreds. Someone had dumped a bowl of old noodles right on top of the ruins.

"Who did this?" I screamed, my vision blurring with rage.

The busy office fell into a dead silence.