Chapter 1 Trash or Trial

I stared at my phone screen, still processing the message, when Adrian Cladwell spoke up. "What are you looking at? Don't tell me you're trying to find someone to complain to."

His hands were in his pockets, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Save it. I've already spoken to Dad. He thinks Jenna is more suitable too."

Harvey Grant stood beside Jenna Sterling and nodded along. "Ayla, this has already been decided. Just accept it."

He paused, then added, "Also, don't bother coming to the tender meeting tomorrow. You're no longer part of the project team. You wouldn't even be allowed inside."

I looked at his matter-of-fact expression and suddenly felt as if I no longer recognized him. This man was my fiance, yet standing next to Jenna, he looked more like her partner than mine.

Jenna stood between them, head lowered, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes as she spoke softly. "Ayla… don't blame Adrian and Harvey… It's my fault. Maybe I shouldn't go after all…"

Before she could finish, her eyes had already reddened.

Adrian frowned. "Jenna, don't blame yourself. This is the company's decision. It has nothing to do with you."

Harvey gently reassured her as well. "That's right. Just focus on preparing for the tender meeting. Leave everything else alone."

I ignored Jenna's act and fixed my gaze on Adrian. "You dropped the Wetland Project?"

Adrian froze for a moment, clearly not expecting the question.

"So what if I did? Why keep a piece of trash like that?" His tone was full of disdain. "It's already lost over eight million, and the government's holding it up. Whoever takes it over is doomed. I've been wanting to dump it for a long time."

As if recalling something, he let out a sneer. "Dad told you to take it, didn't he? Figures. You're only good for picking up the projects I don't want. You'd better start thinking about how to patch the holes. Breaking even would already be impressive. Some people really treat other people's trash like treasure."

Harvey looked at me, his expression complicated. "Ayla, you should think carefully about the Wetland Project. It involves too many historical issues. You won't be able to handle it."

"Exactly," Jenna chimed in, her voice soft and sweet. "Ayla, why not let Adrian talk to the chairman and have him assign you a different project? Adrian is going to inherit the company in the future. Of course the chairman will listen to him."

As she spoke, she edged closer to Adrian. "Adrian, don't you think so?"

Adrian patted her shoulder, then looked at me, his eyes filled with mockery. "If you really want to prove yourself, you should start from the basics and work your way up. Don't aim too high. If the project fails, it's the Cladwell family's reputation on the line."

I said nothing.

What they did not know was that the Wetland Project was not a burden at all. It was a test my father had set for me. If I succeeded, I would become the company's heir, and Adrian would be irrelevant.

But there was no need to tell them any of that.

When I finally spoke, my voice was so calm it felt unfamiliar even to me. "If you're done, I'll be leaving. Good luck at tomorrow's tender meeting."

Adrian paused in surprise.

I turned and walked away without looking back.

Behind me, Jenna's voice drifted over. "Is Ayla angry? Did I say something wrong…"

"Don't worry about her," Adrian said impatiently. "She's always like that. She never listens to anyone."

"Ayla…" Harvey called after me, but he did not come after me.

At the corner at the end of the hallway, I slowed my steps and opened the message from the secretary again.

'If you perform well on this project, you'll become the company's heir.'

I locked my phone and slipped it back into my pocket.

A chill settled in my eyes.

They had taken what was mine. I would not just make them return it—I would make them pay for it with everything they had.