Chapter 2

2

The new apartment was small but clean.

Gideon's assistant had handled everything.

I was like a piece of property being kept in temporary storage.

A week later, the assistant called and told me to get back to work.

I returned to the design department I knew so well.

My colleagues looked at me with strange expressions.

I knew what they were thinking.

It was an open secret that I only got this job because of Gideon.

During the morning meeting, the director announced some news.

"Headquarters has sent a new Creative Director to lead us on the 'Starlight' project."

The conference room door swung open.

Vianna Sterling walked in wearing a white Chanel suit.

She was still as beautiful as ever, like a lily untainted by dust.

Every eye in the room was on her.

Including mine.

She smiled and greeted everyone, her gaze pausing for a moment when it hit me.

There was a look of scrutiny and superiority in her eyes.

"This must be Nia Sinclair, right?" she said, speaking first.

"Gideon has mentioned you."

Her voice was gentle, but it stung like a needle.

"He said you're very talented and hardworking."

The looks from my colleagues became even more pointed.

I stood up and said calmly, "Hello, Director Sterling."

"Have a seat," she said, taking the head of the table.

"I'll be in full charge of the 'Starlight' project from now on."

"Nia, you were the lead designer for the initial drafts."

"Now, your job is to order afternoon tea for the team and print documents."

Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard her clearly.

This was a blatant demotion.

She had kicked me out of the core design team and made me a glorified errand girl.

I didn't fight back. I just said, "Okay."

I caught a flash of satisfaction in her eyes.

When the meeting ended, I went to the breakroom.

I wanted a moment of peace.

But I overheard a few colleagues gossiping by the door.

"Now that the real queen is back, the substitute obviously has to step aside."

"I don't know what she was thinking. Did she really think she could climb her way into the Vance family?"

"Look at Director Sterling's aura. She and Mr. Vance are the perfect power couple."

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the door handle.