Chapter 1

The moment those words fell, my colleagues all raised their glasses toward Avery Blake.

"Congratulations, Ms. Blake! Lead us to greater success from here on!"

"Avery, you're amazing! Studying abroad really sets you apart, unlike some people who only know the same old tricks!"

I said nothing and simply stared at them.

Melissa Richmond, Avery's ever-loyal follower, let out a mocking laugh. "Some people really have no talent at all, but when it comes to throwing attitude, they're absolute pros."

Someone chuckled and chimed in, "Cut her some slack. Anyone would fall apart after watching ten million dollars in shares turn into a hundred and fifty dollars' worth of ham. I wouldn't be able to take it either."

Melissa added self-righteously, "Avery earned this with her own ability. It's not like she climbed up through connections."

"Mr. Faraday has remarkable insight. Avery is exactly the kind of talent the company needs. At this pace, going public is inevitable."

Avery smiled modestly. "It's a team effort. I only played a small part."

Draco Faraday gently took her hand. "You always downplay yourself, Avery. It's the greatest blessing of my life to have met you."

As I watched the two of them standing there like the perfect couple, a chill crept through my chest.

Back then, Avery had used Draco to steal the Faraday family's proprietary formula, driving Faraday Pharmaceuticals to the brink of collapse. His parents had been so furious and heartbroken that they died with deep resentment.

I had been the one who remained in the lab day and night to develop a better substitute that brought the company back from the edge.

Even so, Draco had been entirely convinced by her words, believing she had acted out of unavoidable circumstances.

It was laughable.

When I didn't respond, Avery walked over to me. "Ms. Gunner… No, Erica. Even though you used to overwork me, I still want to thank you. You helped me get familiar with the company's research very quickly."

She handed me a bag of ham.

"This is what you deserve."

Melissa frowned immediately.

"Avery, you're too kind. You're still defending her." She shot me a disdainful look. "Besides, she's so proud. She probably doesn't even think something like this is worth anything."

Avery then turned to Draco and put on a pitiful look. "Draco, does Erica not like me? She won't even accept the gift you prepared. Maybe I should just return the shares to her."

She pulled the share transfer agreement from her bag and deliberately made a show of tearing it.

Draco immediately grabbed her hand. His expression darkened as he snapped at me, "Erica Gunner, that's enough. Avery is someone I personally brought in to help. Can you stop making a scene?"

I gave a cold, humorless laugh. "I'm making a scene? She and her friends have been taking turns mocking me, and you're saying that's my fault?"

Draco grew increasingly irritated. "If people don't like you, you should ask yourself why. With that temper, it's no surprise no one wants to deal with you."

"Avery is both beautiful and kind. This time, she has returned with exclusive international patent rights. She might even help us compete for the Erisian Peace Prize."

"Wow! Does that mean we're going to be famous? By then, not only will the company go public, but we could even expand tenfold!"

"I can finally buy my son a house and get him married!"

"Avery, thank you so much!"

The flattery around us only grew louder. I let out a faint scoff. "You should be careful. Things that seem perfect often collapse just as easily."

Draco's expression darkened as he lost his temper. "Whatever the case, she's still better than you, a useless showpiece who only knows how to exploit others. Take your ham and get out!"

I swallowed my anger and met his gaze. "Fine. If anything goes wrong in the lab going forward, go ask your capable, cross-disciplinary Avery. Don't expect help from a so-called showpiece like me."