Chapter 1

I had just been discharged from the hospital when I got a message about a team dinner. My manager, Robert Spradlin, had specifically emphasized that attendance wasn't optional.

When I arrived at the private room at the restaurant, I froze at the sight of the table full of spicy dishes, taken aback.

Clutching my stomach, I tried to keep my tone calm. "Not many people in our department can handle spicy food, right?"

Kristie Madison, busy taking selfies on her phone, rolled her eyes at my comment. "This is a celebration dinner. It's supposed to be bold and fiery for good luck."

The surrounding colleagues exchanged awkward glances, but no one dared to say a word. Everyone knew that Kristie had been personally hired by Robert, and she basically did whatever she wanted at the office.

I didn't say anything else. I noticed a plate of roasted chicken to the side and decided to serve myself a piece of the chicken breast.

Suddenly, a hand smacked mine hard as I was holding the serving spoon, knocking the piece of chicken onto the table.

Startled, I looked up and met Kristie's eyes that were filled with contempt.

"Brooke Driver, do you have no sense of manners?" she snapped. "That chicken was ordered specifically for Mr. Spradlin to go with his drinks. He's not even here yet, and you're already rushing to eat? Just how greedy are you?"

I froze, staring at her in disbelief. "I'm just really hungry, and I have gastritis, so I can't eat any of the other dishes…"

She scoffed coldly as she crossed her arms.

"You're the most high-maintenance person here in this entire company! You're just a glutton who does nothing but stuff your face. You have no awareness at all! No wonder you're 30 years old and still can't find anyone to marry you!"

I had drunk myself into the hospital just to close that deal, and somehow, I'd become a glutton who did nothing but stuff my face?

Anger shot straight to my head, and I leaped to my feet.

"I was the one who practically drank my life away just to land that five-million-dollar deal. So what if I eat a piece of chicken? You, on the other hand… You've been here for three months, but all you've done is order afternoon tea every day on the company's dime. And you have the nerve to criticize me?"

Her face turned pale from my retort, then her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up as if on cue.

Right at that moment, the private room door opened, and Robert walked in with a glowing smile.

"What's going on here? I could hear the arguing from down the hall."

Kristie looked like she'd just seen her savior. She rushed over to him, appearing utterly aggrieved.

"You're finally here, Mr. Spradlin," she started, her voice trembling with sobs. "I nicely organized this celebration dinner, but Brooke complained that the food was bad and even called me useless… The senior employees are bullying me… I don't want to work here anymore…"

Her ability to twist the truth was truly impressive.

I shook with anger as I pointed at the table buried under a variety of spicy food. "Mr. Spradlin, you know I was just hospitalized for stomach bleeding. So why did she order a table full of spicy food? All I did was take a piece of the roasted chicken, and she called me a glutton in front of everyone!"

I thought Robert would at least say something fair. After all, I was the company's top salesperson—the ace up his sleeve.

However, he just glanced at the table, then at the tearful Kristie, and frowned. When he turned to me, there wasn't a trace of concern, only blatant impatience.

"Brooke, you're in the wrong here," he said sternly, his expression hard. "Kristie just graduated and is still very young. It's understandable that she'll overlook things at times. As the oldest member in the department and a senior employee, you should be more understanding. Why are you picking a fight with a newcomer?

"It's just a meal. If you don't like it, don't eat. Was it really necessary to embarrass her in front of everyone? And you even called her useless? If this gets out, people will think our department engages in workplace bullying."

I stared at Robert in disbelief. "Mr. Spradlin, she's the one who called me a glutton who did nothing but stuff my face! And we clearly voted on a completely different menu yesterday. She went ahead and changed everything to spicy food herself!"

"Enough!" Robert barked, slamming his hand on the table. "Brooke, do you think you're all that just because you landed a big contract? You're not even going to listen to me anymore? If this is your attitude, then don't bother staying for this celebration dinner. Don't ruin everyone else's appetite."

A deathly silence fell over the room. Everyone kept their heads down, and not a single person dared to speak up for me.

Behind him, Kristie flashed me a victorious, mocking smile.

Seeing Robert's sleazy face, then Kristie's smug expression, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

Killing myself for a boss like this—for a company like this—was a joke.

"Fine. I won't ruin your appetite," I said, grabbing my bag as my gaze coldly swept across the room. "I hope you can enjoy this meal guilt-free!"