Chapter 3

The day after I unleashed on Bethany, I went back to work on the project proposal I'd been developing for three months.

I sent the latest revised document, as requested, and waited for client feedback.

But after I clicked send, I froze.

In the chat window, the message hadn't gone through.

All I saw was a bright red exclamation mark and the message below it: "You are no longer friends with this contact."

What?

The project was progressing so well, why would they suddenly delete me?

A mistake?

Just as I was thinking of re-adding them, Mr. Davies suddenly called me into his office.

As soon as I walked in, he slammed a file onto the desk in front of me.

"I told you to speed things up, communicate more with the client, and finalize the proposal quickly!"

"Look at this, look! Right at the finish line, the client bailed, saying they're canceling the contract!"

"All that time wasted, all those company resources used, for nothing!"

"You… I don't even know what to say to you!"

"If you can do the job, do it! If not, get out!"

I was utterly confused. I opened the file Mr. Davies had slammed down.

It was the client's information – the client I'd been communicating with for three months!

They had canceled the partnership, they had deleted me.

So… it wasn't a mistake?

But that couldn't be right!

I'd been on this for three months, revising the proposal countless times to meet the client's demands.

I'd pulled who knows how many all-nighters, lost who knows how much hair.

Even on the morning of my engagement party, I was still working on client requests.

There were many challenges, but the client's satisfaction was high!

This project had been progressing steadily, it was practically in the bag!

How could it suddenly be canceled?

I still couldn't believe it.

"Mr. Davies, this must be a mistake, it's impossible…"

Mr. Davies's anger flared.

"Impossible? What's impossible?! It's in black and white, signed and sealed! Am I forging this to trick you, or is the client tricking you?"

"Your bonus for this month is gone!"

"If this happens again, you can go home and be a full-time housewife!"

"Get out!"

Holding the file, my steps felt unsteady. A sense of unreality enveloped me.

How could this be?

I followed all the requirements, and the client never showed dissatisfaction before…

Should I call them again to confirm, in case there was some misunderstanding?

Just then, I bumped into Bethany.

I was too preoccupied to deal with her, but she blocked my way.

"Well, well, company superstar. Client bailed, got chewed out by Mr. Davies, huh?"

I ignored her, trying to walk around her.

But Bethany's next words stopped me cold.

"When there's a free, ready-made option, who'd be dumb enough to pay big money for an identical proposal?"

My steps faltered. I turned back, incredulous.

"What did you say?"

Bethany smirked triumphantly.

She glanced left and right to make sure no one was around, then leaned close to my ear, lowering her voice.

"I said, I secretly copied your data and anonymously sent it all to your client."

My eyes widened instantly. I stared hard at Bethany's face.

Mischief, mockery, triumph, glee…

Bethany stared back at me.

"Still don't believe me? Then let me tell you a few data points only you would know…"

Bethany casually reeled off a string of numbers.

They were exact, the core data from my proposal!

It really was her!

A fire ignited in my heart.

"You're crazy! Why would you do this? You…"

Bethany's eyes narrowed, and she cut me off.

"Why would I do this? How dare you even ask!"

"Every single venomous word you used to humiliate me yesterday? I remember them all!"

"You bitch, didn't expect karma to come knocking so soon, did you?"

Every single venomous word I used to humiliate her yesterday?

I gritted my teeth and grabbed Bethany's collar.

"My humiliation of you wasn't even one-thousandth of what you've done to me!"

Bethany ripped herself free, her voice suddenly louder, her fury intensifying.

"What right do you have to compare yourself to me? You're not worthy!"

"You and I are not equals! I have more seniority, I'm more capable, I'll always be better than you!"

"You should be trailing behind me, letting me promote you!"

"But you didn't!"

"Not only did you not, but you dared to humiliate me, those words…"

Bethany paused, took a deep breath, and spread her hands.

"The client got your proposal, canceled the partnership, you got chewed out by Mr. Davies, and lost your bonus."

"After three months of working your ass off, the forty thousand dollar bonus you were about to get is gone."

"So many benefits!"

"But it's still not enough!"

Bethany savored my anger, then laughed, raising her hand to lightly tap my face in disdain.

"There's more fun to come."

"Mess with me, and you'll regret it!"

Bethany finished, shoved me aside, and walked away.