Chapter 3

During Emily's first week at the company, we had three major meetings.

Every single time, she targeted me.

"I heard Ms. Sutton's job is just drinking for Mr. Blake at business dinners, right? Isn't that basically what a hostess does? I've known Adrian since we were kids. I know him better than anyone. The kind of woman he hates most is one who uses her looks to get ahead. Blake Group isn't a place where just anyone can get in."

People around the conference room quietly laughed at me.

But I just smiled and stayed silent because I heard Adrian's desperate thoughts.

"Oh no. Emily is being way too harsh. She says I hate women who use their looks to get ahead? I can barely even look people in the face. I really want to go help her, but there are 30 people in that conference room. I don't have the courage to walk in!"

Since he couldn't help me, I had to handle it myself.

But Emily quickly became even worse. Three client files disappeared from my desk that Friday, and even the backups in the system had been erased.

Half an hour later, Emily posted a photo from an upscale restaurant on social media. "Having a wonderful second meeting with Mr. Carter."

Using her status as Adrian's childhood friend, she stole the client I had worked so hard to win.

Then I heard Adrian's thoughts again.

"She actually stole Grace's client? Has she lost her mind? But I don't have any proof she did it. I can't just fire her either. The older members of both the Dawson and Blake families would never accept it."

I remembered what she had done, and I had no intention of letting her get away with it. But I didn't complain, because Emily was about to hand me an even bigger opportunity.

That afternoon, Adrian was in a video conference with executives from overseas. Without knocking, Emily barged into his office and wrapped herself around his arm. "Adrian, you promised to take me to dinner!"

Adrian immediately pulled away in anger while yelling in his head.

"She touched me! Did my face twitch just now? Did the people on the video call see that?"

He looked at her coldly. "Please leave. I'm in a meeting." Emily pouted and walked back out.

Standing outside the office, I watched the whole thing. And I discovered Adrian's secret. "The Dawson Group's cash flow had collapsed in the third quarter. Just last week, they had secretly sold off two of their prime properties in Willowbrook. Emily isn't here to work at all. She's here to use Blake Group to find new investors and keep the Dawson Group alive."

I laughed to myself.

Three days later, Emily sent a company-wide email announcing a "Luxury Business Gala."

She invited many of the biggest names in the business world.

I wasn't invited. Instead, I received a message from her assistant.

"Ms. Sutton, Ms. Dawson would like you to help serve the VIP guests that evening. You'll receive overtime pay."

When Adrian found out Emily wanted his Executive Assistant to work as a server, he nearly exploded. "Damn it! Every guest there is a major business leader. Is she using my name to help the Dawson Group raise money? I have to stop Grace from going. If someone bullies her, it'll be a disaster. But I can't skip a 300-person gala either. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."

I calmly replied to Emily's assistant. "Okay. I'll be there."

On the night of the gala, I wore a black shirt, black pants, and tied my hair into a low ponytail.

Emily looked me over with satisfaction. "Good. Stay in your place and stop chasing things that don't belong to you."

She spent the evening pitching Dawson Group's projects to the guests. Not once did she mention Adrian or Blake Group.

I carried a tray, poured drinks, and quietly listened.

Emily was proudly introducing one of Dawson Group's resort projects to Thomas Thornton, the CEO of Everton Group.

"Mr. Thornton, don't worry. Adrian and I have been close since childhood. The Blake family has always supported the Dawsons without question. If you invest in this project, you'll make your money back by next year..."

As I refilled Thomas's wine glass, he nodded politely. "You have a very steady hand."

I smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Thornton. By the way, with all your experience in real estate, I'm sure you already know Dawson Group sold those two prime Willowbrook properties during the third quarter."

Thomas froze.

I calmly continued, "They're certainly bold. Their cash flow is already stretched that thin, and they're still asking investors to fund new projects."

The atmosphere instantly became awkward. Emily's face turned pale, but she had no idea how to respond.

Thomas frowned deeply, set his wine glass down with a hard thud, and looked at Emily with completely different eyes.

The two business leaders standing beside him exchanged glances, and their expressions changed immediately.