Chapter 4

The taxi stopped in front of the familiar office building.

I pushed open the door. Everything was still the same as before.

I'd barely taken a few steps inside when Melissa walked over with a cup of tea.

"Sophia, I thought you had such backbone," she stopped in front of me, looking me up and down. "That attitude on the phone this morning—I thought you were going places. What happened? Flew around in a circle and landed right back here?"

I looked at her and let out a cold laugh without saying anything.

Seeing I wasn't responding, Melissa got bolder: "What, playing meek now? Where's that attitude from yesterday?"

As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at my chest, then made an exaggerated sound:

"What's that? What's with this badge? Our company badges aren't this color. Sophia, did you walk into the wrong building? Or—"

Her eyes darted around, her face showing that look of sudden realization, laughing even louder:

"Or did you become a delivery driver? That blue lanyard—don't all delivery drivers wear those? Hahaha!"

Because the badge was flipped around, they couldn't see the company name.

Claire's voice rang out: "There you are! Finally!"

"Look, you've made your point, haven't you? Hurry up and wrap up the project—the client's people are coming soon."

She tried to grab my arm. I shook her off.

Claire's expression turned unpleasant. She lowered her voice: "I'm trying to help you. Mr. Grant's in a bad mood today. Just do your work and don't provoke him. You don't want to get chewed out when the client's people arrive!"

I sneered: "Didn't you complete this project independently? Mr. Grant said so himself at the annual meeting—you handled it all alone and did an excellent job."

"The Outstanding Employee award and bonus were both yours. Why do you need me to finish it now?"

Melissa chimed in from the side: "Sophia, that's not right. This isn't the time to be petty! Just get to work!"

I stood there without moving.

During the standoff, Mr. Grant's roar came from inside:

"Where's Sophia? Is she here yet? Tell her to get in here now!"

Mr. Grant strode out of his office.

He looked at me, sizing me up and down.

"Sophia, look at you," he said condescendingly. "You've made your scene, caused your drama. Now you know to come back?"

I nodded calmly: "I'm here on business."

Mr. Grant snorted: "I've seen plenty of people like you. Do a little work and think you're something special, think you've been wronged, want to make a scene so the boss will coddle you. Let me tell you—it won't work! That's just how the world is. The earth keeps spinning without anyone. You think the company would collapse without you? Ridiculous!"

He put his hands on his hips, his voice getting louder:

"I thought you actually had some backbone. But here you are, back like a good little employee, aren't you?"

"First official day back and you're already late. That attitude won't fly. This month's salary—completely docked. Maybe that'll teach you a lesson."

He looked at me, waiting to see that familiar expression of resignation on my face.

I laughed coldly: "Are you sure you want to treat me this way?"

Claire chimed in: "Mr. Grant, please calm down. Ms. Bennett might just be in a bad mood. I asked her to work earlier and she snapped at me."

Mr. Grant glared at me: "Bad mood means you can abandon your work? Bad mood means you can ignore phone calls? Let me tell you—the workplace isn't your home. Nobody's going to indulge you!"

He waved his hand: "Hurry up and get ready. The client's sending someone today to coordinate on the project. You're in charge of reception. They're paying the bills—be polite and don't screw this up for me."

"Mr. Grant, the client's representative is already here."

He froze: "Already here? Where?"

"Right here!" I flipped my badge around.

All three of them froze in place when they saw what was written on it.