Chapter 3

That was Keaton's management style: punish hard, reward loudly, and keep everyone fighting to stay on his good side.

I'd gotten used to it.

The second he walked away, the office erupted in whispers.

"Ms. Larsen, I'm so jealous. First the river-view apartment, now limited-edition jewelry? You're seriously winning."

"I know, right?"

Evie soaked up every word.

When her eyes met mine, they gleamed with smug satisfaction.

I looked away.

I had no interest in watching her gloat.

I'd won project after project for Orion Corp, bringing in millions for the company. Everything I'd earned was worth far more than the rewards Evie got handed for free.

None of it mattered to Keaton.

He always chose her.

Whenever I called him out, he'd say Evie reminded him of his late sister, so he couldn't help wanting to look after her.

That was his excuse for everything.

She blew Orion's only shot at partnering with a public company, and he still covered for her, praised her, and rewarded her with a river-view apartment.

When I questioned him, he humiliated me in front of everyone, accused me of having a twisted mind...

Then moved out and froze me out.

My teammates muttered beside me.

"Tessa, why did you give her that flash drive? You spent forever pulling that data from round after round of testing. She's getting it way too easy."

"Exactly. If every new hire cuts corners like Evie, this company is done."

"Mr. Smyth can pretend he doesn't see what you did for this project, but we do."

"Say the word, and we'll get that flash drive back. We're not letting Evie keep it."

"And once she steps into the project lab, I'll make sure she regrets it."

I just shook my head.

They didn't have to do a thing.

Evie would tank the project all on her own.

The second Keaton handed it to her, its fate was sealed.

There was no way someone who'd barely been at the company—and spent most of that time slacking off—could handle a project this big.

This wasn't just signing paperwork.

Keaton's voice cut through the room. "Tessa, what are you waiting for? Pack your stuff and move to the main office. You're not management anymore, so you don't get a private office. You're an entry-level sales rep now. Start acting like one, and quit setting a bad example."

His words were almost funny.

Evie had been at Orion for a few months, and she already had her own private office.

So she deserved one, but I didn't?

His double standard couldn't be louder.

Then I saw the cold look in his eyes.

This wasn't just favoritism anymore.

Keaton had already given Evie his whole heart.

He was the only one still pretending he hadn't.

I was about to fire back when he turned to HR.

"If she refuses to move, make her."

Then he walked straight back to his office.

The second he was gone, Evie's face changed.

She looked me up and down like I was trash.

"Tessa, if you'd handed over the project sooner, you wouldn't be here. I told you from the start Mr. Smyth values me. He tossed you aside ages ago. You're too old to compete with someone like me. It's honestly pathetic."

I ignored her.

She wasn't wrong.

Keaton did value her.

Otherwise, she never would've gotten this arrogant.