Chapter 1

When Mina Royce first came to me, she couldn't even pay her rent. She had to borrow money just for her baby's formula.

I took her under my wing and taught her everything about this business. I gave her my clients, my secret suppliers, and my orders without asking for a dime.

Within a single year, she struck it rich and opened three boutiques. I was genuinely happy for her success.

That was until I discovered she had been stabbing me in the back. She secretly poached all my VIP clients and lured away the core team I had spent three years training.

My business was hollowed out overnight. But I will make sure she learns that betrayal comes with a heavy price.

1

I was double-checking the month-end shipping manifests when the third text from a long-time client popped up.

“Sorry, Sienna. We’ve decided to move our orders for next quarter to Mina’s company. She’s offering us a price that’s twenty percent lower than yours.”

I stared at the screen for thirty seconds. This client had been with me for four years, ever since I started this business.

We had steady monthly orders, and renewals were always a breeze. The payment for the last batch was still processing, but the next order had already vanished.

“Did she reach out to you first?” I typed back. The person on the other side felt guilty, waiting five minutes before replying.

“...Yes, she contacted us. To be honest, Sienna, we’re running a business here. With a price difference that big―”

I closed the chat and opened my client tracking sheet. In just three months, seven core clients had terminated their contracts.

Seven. I had fought tooth and nail for every single one of those accounts over the years.

From the initial free samples to long-term strategic partnerships, I had done it all. I pulled all-nighters, revised countless designs, and never missed a payment even during the worst economic slumps.

I carried it all on my shoulders. Now, they were leaving without a second thought.

And every single one of them was running to Mina. Mina―my “best friend.”

A year ago, she was a divorced mother with six figures of debt and no skills. She begged me, saying she had nowhere else to go.

I didn't hesitate to bring her into my company and teach her from scratch. Product knowledge, client relations, supply chain, after-sales―I gave her everything.

Her very first order came from a lead I handed her. Her first steady paycheck came from a deal I let her take.

The day she opened her own shop, I sent a massive flower arrangement and a generous check. I was truly happy for her.

Then, she gutted me.