Chapter 2

I snapped my eyes open, a wave of intense dizziness washing over me.

"Every time clients visit, we always take them to five-star hotels. It’s so bureaucratic and boring. It leaves absolutely no impression on them."

A soft, whiny voice pulled me back to reality.

I looked toward the sound. Sure enough, it was Chloe.

She was standing in front of the projector, wearing a smug "I’ve discovered a new world" expression, talking passionately.

"We should show them the real, authentic local culture! I suggest we take them to that food alley in the old district for lunch. I guarantee it’ll blow their minds!"

A sketchy food alley. I instantly remembered this meeting—the exact moment that had dragged me into hell in my past life.

In my previous life, I was the only one who objected.

I had calmly pointed out that our German clients might not handle the hygiene and food differences well, and that a loud, chaotic environment would ruin any business conversation.

But before I could even finish, Chloe started tearing up.

She bit her lip, looking at the head of the table with watery, pleading eyes—at my fiancé, Mason.

Mason’s face darkened instantly. He tapped his fingers on the table.

"Audrey, Chloe is just trying to be creative and do what's best for the company. Do you really have to humiliate her in front of everyone?"

He paused, looking at Chloe with unconcealed admiration.

When he turned back to me, his eyes held nothing but annoyance.

"I think Chloe’s idea is great. It’s way better than your boring, traditional, old-school methods!"

Back then, I shut up. I didn't argue. I just secretly modified the menu beforehand, asking the kitchen to prepare clean, standard dishes instead.

Later, the deal was saved, but at the celebration party, everyone congratulated Chloe.

They praised her, saying, "She handled the international VIPs so well," and "She’s the real MVP of this project."

My five exhausting trips across the Atlantic and the countless sleepless nights I spent drafting the contract didn't mean a thing compared to the "exotic experience" she had supposedly arranged.

And because I had objected at the start, I became the villain of the company.

Mason held the sobbing Chloe in his arms, accusing me of using my power as president to bully a defenseless intern.

The executives I had trained myself, people I thought were my partners, immediately jumped on the bandwagon, calling me arrogant and toxic.

The employees turned on me online.

They fabricated stories about how I "abused" Chloe and posted them on TikTok and Twitter. Overnight, I went from the respected CEO of Aura Group to a hated bully.

I was forced to resign from the board and was kicked out of the company I co-founded.

To make things worse, when I was at my lowest, Mason handed me a breakup agreement, his eyes as cold as a stranger's.

Left with nothing, I climbed to the top of Aura Group's headquarters and jumped without a single doubt.

"What do you think, President Audrey?"

A voice snapped me out of my painful memories.

Chloe was looking at me, a subtle spark of defiance in her eyes that I had failed to notice in my past life.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the burning hatred inside me and the sheer thrill of being reborn.

God gave me a second chance, and I wasn't going to waste it on the same mistakes.

I looked at Mason, the man I had loved with everything I had, who ultimately pushed me to my death.

Then I looked at the executives around the table, the ones who couldn't wait to carve up my shares and step over my corpse.

I met Chloe’s gaze and smiled warmly.

"I think Chloe’s idea is incredibly creative. Let’s go with it. Whatever you say, Chloe."

Chloe’s expression froze. The words she had prepared to counter my objection got stuck in her throat.

She clearly hadn't expected this reaction. She blinked, stammering, "Oh... thank you, Audrey."

Mason was stunned too, but a satisfied smirk quickly returned to his face.

He nodded, sealing the deal. "Then it’s settled. Lunch tomorrow will be at the place Chloe recommended."

Now that the CEO had spoken, the other executives immediately began chiming in.

"Chloe, you're so thoughtful! Amazing job!"

"Exactly! Those foreigners are probably sick of steak and fine dining anyway. A change of scenery is perfect!"

Amid the sea of praises, Chloe stood tall, beaming with pride.

I sat there quietly, watching their fake, smiling faces.

Enjoy it while you can.

The happier you are now, the harder you’re going to cry later.