Chapter 3

As the fiscal year drew to a close, everyone started looking forward to their annual bonuses.

I was no exception.

I had exceeded the targets on all five million-dollar projects the company had assigned me that year. Under company policy, my bonus should have been at least six hundred thousand dollars.

But while my coworkers were quietly comparing their bonuses,

my bank account remained unchanged.

My stomach dropped. Something was wrong.

I picked up my phone and sent Diane in Finance a message on Snapchat.

“Diane, have the annual bonuses gone out yet?”

“They’ve all been paid.”

What?

I immediately asked, “Then why haven’t I received anything?”

Diane replied,

“Vivian collected your bonus. You didn’t know?”

Heat rushed to my head. My hand trembled around my phone.

“Diane, aren’t bonuses supposed to go directly to the employee who earned them? What right does Vivian have to take mine?”

Rather than try to explain it all over messages, Diane called me.

“Vivian said those two projects you handled only went through smoothly because of the luck from her fortune stick.”

“She said she’s the company’s lucky charm, so all the credit belongs to her. That means your bonus should go to her.”

“Mr. Carter approved it, too. I thought you already knew.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I shot out of my chair and headed straight for Vivian.

She was sitting at her desk, holding a brand-new designer handbag.

“I worked so hard this year! I deserve a little reward!”

Another intern looked at her enviously.

“Vivian, you’re incredible! You just joined the company, and you already got an annual bonus!”

“Our lucky charm strikes again! You’re so lucky!”

“Viv, how much did you get, anyway?”

Vivian smiled with fake modesty.

“Oh, not that much. A little over six hundred thousand.”

“Those million-dollar projects would probably have fallen apart without my good luck.”

I stood there, feeling as though an invisible hand had seized my heart.

I had earned that six hundred thousand through hard work, countless sleepless nights, and endless client visits.

And she had simply walked off with it because she claimed, “I’m the lucky charm. All the credit belongs to me”?

I stared at Vivian. As if sensing my gaze, she turned.

When she saw me standing there, her smug smile widened.

“Claire, why are you just standing there without saying anything?”

“Come over! I’m treating everyone to bubble tea with my bonus. Don’t be shy!”

The surrounding coworkers turned to look at me.

Some looked sympathetic. Some were waiting for a show. Others looked downright pleased by my misfortune.

I took a deep breath and forced down my rising anger.

Then I walked up to Vivian’s desk and looked down at her.

“Vivian, did you take my annual bonus?”

She tilted her head back, her smile equal parts innocent and smug.

“Claire, didn’t Mr. Carter tell you?”

“He gave it to me as a reward for working hard and helping the company land those million-dollar projects.”

“Working hard?” I let out a cold laugh.

“Vivian, tell me honestly. What exactly did you do on those two projects?”

“I…” Her gaze flickered before she grew even more self-righteous.

“I organized materials for you and booked meeting rooms!”

“Most importantly, my good luck kept your bad luck under control! Doesn’t that count for anything?”

“The materials you organized were full of mistakes and missing information. I had to stay up all night redoing them.”

“To reserve a meeting room, all you have to do is ask the receptionist. That’s your contribution?”

“And as for keeping my bad luck under control…” I laughed in disbelief and pointed at the bamboo stick on her desk.

“Vivian, do you really think the company wins contracts because of that stupid stick?”

Her face flushed, then paled. Humiliated, she jumped to her feet.

“Claire Bennett! You’re going too far!”

“Even Mr. Carter recognizes my contribution! You’re just jealous I drew the best fortune and got the bonus!”

“Stop twisting things!” I slammed my hand on her desk and pointed straight at her, emphasizing every word.

“The company won those contracts because I worked day and night preparing materials and meeting clients. Your fortune stick had nothing to do with it!”

“And I’m getting back every cent of the bonus I earned.”