Chapter 3

3

I had already known about the upcoming state inspection.

Rumor had it that because of our harbor's record-breaking export profits this past year, the state government wanted to showcase our village as a model economic revitalization project.

Once the official inspection concluded, massive grants and development subsidies would be locked in.

Becoming a state-certified model community carried immense financial perks and prestige.

Cassidy had been so eager to snatch my accounts because she wanted to claim all the credit in front of the inspectors, hoping to land a plush government gig in the state capital.

"Well, Vernon, you'd better tell Cassidy to work faster then," I replied casually, strolling past him into the night.

The next morning at the Co-op, Vernon was in the middle of an all-hands meeting.

"Our Co-op will not tolerate selfish prima donnas who put personal greed above the collective good!" he barked.

The workers chimed in with loud murmurs of agreement.

There was no need to guess who he was talking about.

I paid no attention. As I walked to my desk, I heard Cassidy on the phone, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness.

As she hung up, she shot me a smug, triumphant look.

"Brenna, I have so many shipment orders to process today. Since you have nothing on your schedule, do you mind letting me use your desk?"

Before I could even speak, Vernon stepped into the room. "Go right ahead and take it, Cassidy. I still make the calls around this Co-op."

He cast a frosty glare at me, clearly trying to put me in my place.

I didn't care at all; having no work just meant I could take it easy.

Soon, a massive freight truck rolled into the harbor lot.

Cassidy rushed out with an eager smile to negotiate the cargo pickup with the driver.

However, the transport manager stepped down from the cab and looked at her with total indifference.

"Our boss explicitly stated that our contract is solely with Brenna Walsh. If she didn't oversee the quality check, we aren't loading a single crate."