Chapter 3

I froze.

The office, which was supposed to be a quiet workspace, now sounded like a wild party.

I stood at the doorway.

Cody, who had just been weeping in front of me, was now casually sitting on top of my desk.

He held a glass of freshly popped champagne, laughing hysterically.

"Hahaha! Did you guys see how pathetic Audrey looked just now?"

"She actually believed I was getting demoted! She even gave me her clients out of pity!"

"With her pathetic little clients, the bonus wouldn't even cover the cost of my bottled water."

Chloe, holding a glass of champagne, sidled up to him with a fawning smile.

"Right? Cody, she really needs to look in the mirror."

"Just because she brought in a few big accounts, she thought she could look down on everyone, even the boss."

Brad hovered around Cody like a loyal dog.

"Cody is Richard’s actual nephew! He went to an Ivy League school! He’s a true elite!"

"The Sales Director position belonged to you from the very beginning."

"That old hag Audrey isn't even worthy of shining Richard's shoes!"

Standing in the shadows of the hallway, I felt the blood in my veins turn to ice.

Nephew?

I stared at Cody, who was still sitting on my desk.

It was all a lie.

My promotion was a lie.

His demotion was a lie.

The entire company had conspired to play me like a fool.

Richard walked out of his private office, holding a glass of champagne, smiling warmly at Cody.

"Cody, how was the April Fool's show your uncle set up for you?"

"Did it make you feel better?"

Cody hopped off the desk and threw his arm around Richard's shoulders.

"It was amazing, Uncle Richard!"

"You have no idea. For the last two months, she made me memorize product catalogs and forced me to do field sales in the blistering heat."

"Even my own mother has never bossed me around like that!"

"Seeing her pack her things like a stray dog today... man, that felt so good!"

Richard laughed out loud.

"She's nothing but a workhorse anyway."

"Once she signs that $100 million contract with Harrison this afternoon, I'll find some random excuse to fire her."

"When that happens, the credit for the deal will be yours!"

"Your uncle always looks out for you, doesn't he?"

I stood there, watching their ugly, greedy faces, and felt a wave of nausea.

Five years.

I had given up all my holidays for this company.

I had practically dragged this bankrupt little firm to become a recognized name in the industry.

I thought as long as I worked hard enough, I would get the respect and reward I deserved.

But reality had just slapped me in the face.

I pushed the door open and walked in, my face expressionless.

The cheering stopped instantly.

Everyone stared at me as if I were a ghost.

The smile on Cody's face flickered for a second before his arrogant look returned.

"Oh, Audrey's back!"

"Hey, about that demotion notice... it was just a misunderstanding."

"My uncle said that for April Fool's, all decisions and answers today had to be the exact opposite of reality!"

He bragged, "So, I’m actually promoted!"

I sneered inwardly. "The exact opposite." That was why my own promotion notice was nothing but a cruel joke.

Just then, Richard walked over with a cold face.

He slammed a thick stack of papers right against my chest.

"Audrey, do you have time to idle around?"

"Get your ass to the conference room, now!"