Chapter 4

"No!" Janice suddenly shrieked.

She forced herself to smile when she noticed everyone's confused look. She stammered, "W-What I'm trying to say is… Giselle can probably gain some experience at such a big event. She might even be able to put what she learned to use one day!"

Nicholas frowned, looking displeased.

"Why are you being difficult again?" he snapped at me. "Everyone's just telling the truth when they say that you're inferior to Janice. Do you really believe that you can threaten anyone by saying that you're not going to go? You don't have to go if you don't want to!"

I didn't say a single word.

Meanwhile, Janice began to panic.

"I think Giselle should be there, Nick. After all, I've never been part of such a large-scale meeting. We can learn from each other if she's there!"

My colleagues began to praise Janice.

"She always pretends that she needs several days to prepare for her projects, yet you're still giving her a chance, Janice. Instead of learning from each other, she's the one who's going to learn from you if she's there!"

Janice clung to Nicholas and kept begging him to bring me along.

In the end, Nicholas reluctantly nodded and said to me, "Fine. I'll give you a chance for Janice's sake. I'm giving you three minutes. Pack your things and head downstairs as soon as possible. You can forget about going if you're even a minute late!"

Janice stared at me, looking as if she was terrified that I would decline.

"Fine. I guess I can go," I said languidly.

Only then did Janice breathe a sigh of relief.

…

We arrived at the meeting venue.

When it was time for the designated translator to take their place on stage, Janice threw her arm out and stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait! I've been giving it some thought, and I still think that I should be the translator this time," she said sincerely. "I don't mind giving in to you for smaller jobs, but this project is very important. This isn't the time for you to show off. Your foundation isn't as good as mine, so I'll take charge this time!"

I was about to speak when Nicholas immediately nodded in agreement.

"You make a very good point. This meeting is very important to the company. We can't afford any mistakes.

"Why aren't you thanking Janice, Giselle? She's taking your place for your sake. You'll be treated as the company's villain if you make even a single mistake in your translation and jeopardise the company's chances of becoming publicly listed. I'll be curious to see how you'll explain yourself to the board of directors!"

I scoffed. Although I had a decade's worth of learning and hands-on experience under my belt, the way Janice described me made it sound as though my skills were completely worthless.

I was the one who took on four to five translation projects per day when the company was first established, and I had to stand for two to three hours for each one. It was due to my efforts that the company could build a good reputation in the industry.

Now, I was being painted as the so-called villain of the company. On top of that, they expected me to be grateful to Janice even though she was the one who stole my work.

My colleagues began to mock me when I didn't budge.

"You're kidding me. Don't tell me that you actually want to fight Janice over who gets to be the translator for this meeting, Giselle?"

"Janice only brought you along because she wanted to give you a chance to learn. You can't be so greedy!"

"Even if we disregard the fact that Janice is more professional than you, she's also more pleasing to look at. Have you taken a look at yourself in the mirror? Your eye bags are horrible!"

I raised my hand and brushed my fingers against the bags under my eyes that had formed due to multiple sleepless nights. I had willingly sacrificed sleep to prepare for the project.

In my past life, I definitely would have fought for a chance to get on the stage.

However, I simply scanned my surroundings and smiled at that moment.

"I don't mind. I just hope that you'll take responsibility for your own choices. Don't regret the decisions that you've made."

My colleagues mocked me for overthinking things.

Meanwhile, Nicholas scoffed and said, "I'm the one who's allowing Janice to go on stage. I'll take full responsibility if anything goes awry."

I didn't argue with them and allowed Janice to take my place.

Janice blinked innocently at me and said, "You were always the official translator, Giselle, and you would always make a fuss if I got too close to you. To be honest with you, I'm not used to you being so quiet.

"But you have to admit that everyone's born with different talents. You spent 12 years getting to where you are now, but I reached your level after only a month. You should pay close attention to me when I'm translating later. Maybe you can learn something!"

I ignored her.

Janice sat in the translator's chair when the meeting began.

Nicholas and my colleagues gave her encouraging gestures from below the stage.

In the next second, Janice's expression turned serious.

Nicholas sighed in awe when he noticed her focused expression. He remarked, "Janice was truly born to be a translator. She gives her all in everything she does."

My colleagues voiced their agreement.

A second later, Janice opened her mouth and began reciting a funeral speech.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.