Chapter 1

"Is this what an Ivy League degree gets you? Did you flush your brains down the toilet?"

At the company meeting, Dennis threw my proposal right at my face because the line spacing didn't meet his formatting guidelines.

"If you don't want to work, pack your bags and get the hell out!"

Dennis’s voice boomed through the conference room. No one dared to breathe.

I bent down to pick up the papers I had spent three sleepless nights working on. "Mr. Miller, the line spacing doesn't affect the actual strategy. I'll fix it right away. Besides, I wasn't informed about—"

"Are you mute? Is your mouth just for show? If you don't know the rules, why didn't you ask? Do you think your family owns this company?"

Before I could even defend myself, his insults rained down on me.

Beside me, Maya gently tugged at my sleeve. "Stop talking," she whispered. "Our probation period is in his hands. And..."

"I heard she's close friends with the new girl, Chloe. And Chloe is the CEO's daughter..."

The CEO's daughter?

I looked up at Chloe, who was sitting next to Dennis, and smiled faintly.

If she's the CEO's daughter, then who the hell am I?

Back at my desk, an email from Dennis was waiting in my inbox.

It was a formal warning, filled with phrases like "unprofessional attitude" and "lack of dedication." The last line read:

"Performance bonus docked for this month. Formal warning issued. Future infractions will lead to termination."

I dragged the email into a new folder and named it "Evidence 001."

There were already a few things in there:

The industry analysis I pulled an all-nighter for last week, which now had Chloe's name on it;

The campaign concept I pitched two days ago, which Dennis claimed as his own "spark of genius" during the morning stand-up;

And yesterday's proposal, which I revised seven times, only for it to be completely rejected because of a misplaced comma.

"You're actually keeping receipts?" Maya leaned over, gasping.

"Why wouldn't I?" I closed the folder.

In the afternoon, Dennis called me into his office.

When I pushed the door open, Chloe was there too. She was lounging on the sofa, flipping through a fashion magazine without even looking up.

"I know you're upset about this morning," Dennis said, leaning forward, trying to look empathetic. "But rules are rules. Attention to detail is everything. You're a junior, Audrey. You need to learn."

"I understand."

"Good." He smiled, a fake grin plastered on his face. "By the way, the corporate gala is next Friday. Our department only has two spots. I was going to take you and Clara, but with your recent warning, it wouldn't look good."

He paused, watching my reaction.

"So, I'm taking Chloe and Clara. Chloe is new and needs the exposure. Work hard, Audrey. You'll have other chances."

I looked at Chloe.

She finally put down her magazine and gave me a sweet, sugary smile.

"You don't mind, do you, Audrey? Mr. Miller is just looking out for me. I just got back from London, and I have so much to learn."

"I don't mind at all."

"Perfect." Dennis visibly relaxed. "Also, Chloe is interested in the marketing side. The Aura Cosmetics account you've been working on—I want you to hand it over and co-manage it with her. You're experienced, so guide her well."

I spent three months pulling all-nighters, pitching to the client, and taking dozens of meetings to secure that account. And he was giving it away with a single sentence.

"Mr. Miller, I've been running this account for three months. I'm the client's sole point of contact. Changing leads now..."

"That's why I'm having you guide her!" Dennis cut me off. "I'm not asking you to step away completely. Just let her learn. Audrey, have some team spirit. Don't be so selfish."

I clenched my fists.

"I'll handle the client," he said with finality. "It's settled. Organize the files and email them to Chloe by tomorrow morning."

When I walked out of the office, Chloe followed me.

The hallway was empty, and the smile on her face instantly vanished.

"Audrey," she said, her voice soft but dripping with venom. "I know you think this is unfair. But in the real world, talent isn't enough. You have to know how to play the game."

I stopped. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," she shrugged. "Just a friendly reminder. When Mr. Miller tells you to do something, just do it. After all..." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You do want to pass your probation, don't you?"

With that, she clicked away in her high heels. The sound echoed down the corridor, pounding against my eardrums.

I stood there, pulling out my phone.

On the screen, the SnapChat recording tool was still active, and the voice recorder app was blinking red.