Chapter 1

The banquet hall sparkled with festive lights at the end of the year. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow that made the table full of delicacies look even more tempting.

The company’s annual dinner was in full swing. After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew even more lively.

I had just set down my glass when Mr. Watson, the marketing department’s director, walked over with a drink in hand and patted me on the shoulder.

“Maya Sweeney, you’ve really done the company a huge favor this year! So many companies were fighting tooth and nail to land that Sanscape Group project. Yet, you managed to crack that tough nut. You’re a force to be reckoned with!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than leaders from several other departments chimed in, “That’s right, Maya. I heard that the project had been pending for nearly half a year without a deal, but you pulled it off! You’re amazing!”

“The young ones like you really have that drive and know how to get things done. You’ll have to mentor the new hires next year.”

The barrage of praises made me feel a bit embarrassed, and my cheeks grew slightly warm.

Colleagues gathered around me, and their eyes brimmed with admiration.

“Maya, you’re amazing! You’re definitely going to be this year’s top salesperson!”

“Come on, share your secrets with us. How did you close that deal?”

“Exactly! Maya, how did you manage to land that project?”

Everyone chimed in, and their enthusiasm made it hard for me to ignore them.

I smiled and raised my hand. Just as I was about to share some insights, a slightly sharp voice suddenly rang out from behind me. “Maya, it’s amazing you managed to close such a tough deal with Sanscape Group.”

I turned around to see my colleague, Nora Lewis, walking slowly toward me with a glass of red wine in her hand.

She was a long-time employee at the company and Mr. Watson’s mistress. I never really had much to do with her.

Nevertheless, I gave her a polite smile and waved my hand.

“It was just luck. It wasn’t really that hard.”

Before I could continue, Nora slowly grinned. “I’ve heard that Sanscape Group is notoriously difficult to deal with, and their boss is especially hard to sway. Tell me, how many executives did you sleep with to land that project?”

The moment those words left her mouth, the previously lively atmosphere froze, and the laughter around us died.

The expressions of my colleagues all changed.

A few male colleagues even instinctively looked me up and down. Their stares made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

After that, Nora suddenly covered her hand over her mouth and appeared as if she had misspoken.

“Oh, my! Did I say something wrong? Maya, please don’t take it to heart.”

I stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds before instinctively asking her, “Do you have to sleep with someone to close a business deal? I’ve been working for so long, and I never knew that. Are you well-versed in these ways, Nora?”

Nora immediately pretended to be hurt and apologized, “I’m sorry, Maya. I just spoke too hastily. I’m a straightforward person, and I say what’s on my mind. Please don’t be upset.”

However, with Nora having gone this far, everyone’s gaze toward me had changed.

“I never thought Maya was such a person.”

“Yeah, I even asked her how she landed that project. I could never pull off something like that.”

“No wonder she’s out on field assignments every day. Who knows where she goes?”

I was so angry that my face turned red. Just as I was about to say something, Mr. Watson stepped in. “Maya, I don’t care what tactics you used to land the project, but Nora is your team leader. The way you spoke to her earlier was extremely disrespectful. Apologize to her right now!”