Chapter 2

On the crisp, fresh mountain air, I clutched my chest, leaning against a stone marker.

My colleagues in front of me were excitedly taking photos and videos for their social media, brimming with energy.

Only I felt a scorching churn in my abdomen, my head spinning, and my breath coming in ragged gasps.

In my previous life, during this annual department team-building event, I had arrived at this mountain feeling relaxed and eager.

But as soon as we reached halfway up, I developed severe altitude sickness.

Looking at the all-too-familiar faces before me, I never would have imagined they would eventually lead to my death.

Half a minute ago, I had asked Mr. Davidson, the department manager, if I could stop going up the mountain with the main group.

That's when I heard Melody Thompson's thoughts.

[Altitude sickness? Total act! Chloe just wants to be lazy, that’s her excuse. Once Mr. Davidson exposes her, we’ll all be dragged into hiking up the mountain, and our legs will be shaking for three days afterwards.]

I lifted my head, looking at Melody not far away. Her lips were sealed, but her eyes were fixed on me.

[Chloe works out for over two hours every day. She’s as strong as an ox, no way she’d get altitude sickness halfway up. None of the rest of us are having any issues.]

[Oh no, Manager Davidson is looking this way. Is he about to discover Chloe’s little charade?]

Mr. Davidson was indeed walking towards me, step by step. I wanted to speak, but it felt like all the strength had been drained from me.

He glanced at my pale face, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Chloe, you’re such a good actress, why don't you go join Hollywood?"

"Manager, I'm not acting. I really feel nauseous and want to throw up from the altitude."

"Addicted to acting, are we?" Mr. Davidson rolled his eyes at me. "Thirty-two people in this department, and you're the only one with 'altitude sickness'? Who are you kidding! Get up, and don't push my last bit of patience!"

Before I could even move, Melody Thompson's thoughts chimed in again. [Chloe would never listen to Manager Davidson. He’s the person she despises the most; she even goes over his head to complain about him to higher-ups. Once Manager Davidson gets fired, she'll be promoted.]

Hearing this, Mr. Davidson clenched his fists.

"I think you all just have too little work at the company, that's why you're cooking up these little schemes. Everyone, hike up that mountain now! No one gets to take the shuttle, including you, Chloe!"

"Anyone who dares defy my order will receive a termination notice from HR tomorrow."

Mr. Davidson’s attitude was resolute, and my colleagues’ complaints rained down on me, one after another.

"What kind of person is she! She puts on an act, and why do we have to suffer the punishment with her?"

"Exactly! Did Chloe ever think of us when she took her commissions? If we don't share in the good times, why should we share in the bad ones?"

I stayed silent, neither refuting them nor lingering there to rest.

Enduring the discomfort, I forced myself to move, joining the crowd to go up. Behind me, Mr. Davidson was still grumbling.

"Not altitude sickness, huh? Keep faking it. When we get back, I'm gonna deal with you properly. Let's see if you dare to put on an act again."

But as soon as he finished speaking, his mouth snapped shut.

Even the constantly complaining colleagues gasped. "Chloe, why are you coughing up blood?!"

Mr. Davidson stepped forward and kicked me where I lay on the ground. "Stop faking."

I lifted my gaze to meet his for a moment, then instantly blacked out.