Chapter 2

Keaton's face lit up.

I let out a cold laugh and shook my head.

Did Evie seriously think she could learn this overnight?

If it were that easy, the client wouldn't need us. Keaton wouldn't have made it Orion's core project.

Evie caught my laugh and instantly played victim.

"Tessa, I know you're mad about losing the project, but I just wanted a chance to prove myself to Mr. Smyth. Why do you always act like you're better than me?

"Yeah, I speak my mind. That's on me. If I messed up, you could've just told me. Why give me attitude? I'm not that petty. I can take criticism."

Then she squeezed out two tears.

And shifted just enough for Keaton to see.

Sure enough, the second Keaton saw her tears, his expression softened.

"Tessa Thorne, did you already forget what I just said? Or are you trying to get yourself fired? Check your attitude. No wonder your team's so unprofessional. They learned it from you. Write me a ten-page reflection and have it on my desk before the day's over."

I clenched my fists.

My teammates defended me for all of two seconds, and somehow they were the unprofessional ones.

But Evie?

She strolled in late, left early, and never had to clock in. She skipped work whenever she felt like it. Even when she tanked a project and cost the company money, nothing happened.

Me?

I spent countless late nights landing Orion a $10 million investment.

One second late. One missed punch.

That was enough for Keaton to mark me absent, yank the VP position he'd promised me, accuse me of breaking company policy, slash my pay, and demote me.

Now, after hearing nothing but Evie's side of the story, he'd dumped me into entry-level sales.

Super professional.

Guess I should be ashamed. My bad.

Then Keaton pulled out a gift box and handed it to Evie.

"You're taking over the project, so consider this a little encouragement. I know you'll do great."

Evie opened the box.

Inside was a limited-edition jewelry set.

The room instantly buzzed.

"Isn't that set over a hundred grand? Mr. Smyth really knows how to spoil people."

"I'm so jealous of Ms. Larsen. With Mr. Smyth backing her, she's set."

My eyes locked on the necklace in Evie's hands.

I knew that set.

I'd wanted it forever, but the price always stopped me. Keaton found out and kept promising he'd buy it for me someday.

He never did.

Yesterday, I'd found the receipt at home.

I'd actually thought he was planning to surprise me.

Turns out...

It was never meant for me.

Keaton looked around the room.

"From now on, follow Evie's example. Perform well, and you'll be rewarded the same way. And let me be clear one last time—don't pull what Tessa did. Seniority doesn't give you the right to bully new employees. If it happens again, there won't be a warning."