Chapter 3

As our annual bonus season approached, everyone started looking forward to their payout.

I was no exception.

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

But while my coworkers whispered about their bonuses, there was still no sign of a deposit in my account.

My heart sank. 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 quickly typed back, “Then why haven’t I received mine?”

Diane replied:

“Brooke collected your bonus. Didn’t you know?”

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

“Diane, aren’t bonuses supposed to go to the person who earned them? What right did Brooke have to take mine?”

Apparently deciding this was too complicated for messages, Diane called me.

“Brooke said those two projects you managed only succeeded because her fortune brought you good luck.”

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

“Mr. Martin approved it. I thought you already knew.”

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

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.

“Brooke, you’re incredible! You just started here, and you already got an annual bonus!”

“You really are a lucky charm! Your luck is unbelievable!”

“Brooke, how much did you actually get?”

Brooke gave a falsely modest smile.

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

“After all, without my good luck, those million-dollar projects probably would’ve fallen apart.”

I stopped where I stood. It felt as though an invisible hand had closed around my heart.

That six hundred thousand represented my hard work, countless sleepless nights, and endless client meetings.

And she’d simply walked away with it because she’d said, “I’m the lucky charm. All the credit is mine”?

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

When she saw me standing there, her smug smile grew wider.

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

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

The people around her turned to look at me.

Some seemed sympathetic. Some were waiting for a show. Others looked positively delighted by my misfortune.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the anger churning inside me.

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

“Brooke, did you take my bonus?”

She tilted her face up, wearing a smile that was both innocent and smug.

“Claire, didn’t Mr. Martin 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 gave a cold laugh.

“Brooke, look me in the eye and tell me what you actually did on those two projects.”

“I…” Her eyes flickered before she became even more self-righteous.

“I organized your materials! And I booked meeting rooms for you!”

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

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

“And booking a meeting room means asking reception. That’s your big contribution?”

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

“Brooke, do you honestly think the company lands deals because of that stupid stick?”

Her face turned red, then white. Humiliated and furious, she jumped to her feet.

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

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

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

“This company landed those contracts because I worked day and night preparing documents and meeting clients. It had nothing to do with your fortune stick!”

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