Ripping Off Their Mask

The day after the new year, my family of three visited Grandma’s house for a gathering. I had just settled into my seat when I received a text from my cousin, Leslie Bolton: [Allison, I just sent my proposal to your email. Please, review it, I’m begging you! Whether I keep my job or not depends entirely on this!] Leslie worked in a design agency. Her company was struggling financially and planned to lay off employees. The company used the collaboration with us to make the staff compete—whoever’s proposal was selected would stay. A day before New Year's Eve, her colleagues had already submitted their proposals, but Leslie hadn’t finished hers. Determined to outshine everyone with a perfect design, she had worked nonstop for over a month, surviving on just two hours of sleep per night. However, one of my business partners had already found a proposal he liked and saw no need for further discussion. It was only after my repeated pleas that he reluctantly agreed to give Leslie a

Leslie said that as long as she secured the deal with my company, she could gradually repay the 150,000 loan. Her boss had promised that after the layoffs, all resources would go to the one employee who remained to groom them for success. If she made it through, earning 20,000 a month wouldn’t be difficult. Step by step, she could turn her fabricated persona into reality. But first, she had to survive the cull. I had wanted to help her, but I hadn’t foreseen this chaos. Only five minutes remained. I strode forward, snatched the scissors from Grandma’s hands, and yanked the network cable from Ben’s grip. “Just five minutes! After that, I’m done!” I said firmly. Ben wailed even louder as he pointed at me and screamed, “You worthless loser making only 3,000 a month! How dare you take my stuff? I’ll beat you to death!” Aunt Mary let go of him and watched as he threw a flurry of punches at me. My dad stepped in to restrain him, but before he could say a word, Aunty Mary

Aunt Mary glanced at the message and then looked at me. "What are you talking about with Leslie? What proposal? What does her job have to do with you?" Before I could respond, Leslie’s video call came through in a panic. Aunt Mary answered it immediately. Leslie's sobs filled the room. "I spent a whole month working on that proposal! I was so confident about it—how could they finalize someone else’s without even reviewing mine? “My boss just posted the layoff list in the group chat. What am I supposed to do now?" Aunt Mary’s face turned ashen. She leaned closer to the phone and pressed her question. "What do you mean, Leslie? You got laid off?" Leslie gasped and quickly ended the call. Aunt Mary tried to call her back using my phone, but she didn’t pick up. The entire family tensed. Aunt Stella spoke in a slow, deliberate voice. "Didn't you say Leslie was a key employee at her company, Mary? How does someone like that end up on the layoff list?" Aunt Mary’s fa

Leslie exploded in anger even before I could finish. "Telling my mom the truth is no different from signing my own death warrant! I never thought you’d be this heartless. “Aren’t you my cousin? Can’t you even do me this small favor? I’ve really misjudged you! Have you no heart? "Besides, it’s your fault I got laid off! As my cousin—and someone with decision-making powers, approving my proposal should’ve been effortless for you! “Admit it, you’re just jealous! You’re afraid I’ll surpass you, so you deliberately sabotaged me!" A cold feeling washed over me. All these years, I had sympathized with her struggles and helped her countless times, both openly and behind the scenes. When she graduated, I helped her find an apartment and a job. Whenever she needed money urgently, I transferred it to her without hesitation. I even hid the fact that I was running my own business from the family, just so Aunt Mary wouldn’t pressure her even more. And yet, she felt no gratitude wha

Before Aunt Mary could finish her sentence, the sound of a car engine turning off echoed from outside the courtyard. I turned my head just in time to see Leslie stepping out of the vehicle. She was adorned in luxury, exuding an air of wealth and confidence. Aunt Mary instantly regained her composure. "Leslie is back! The real boss has arrived!" She shot me a triumphant look and sneered. “You're done for, Allison!"…Almost at the same moment, my phone vibrated with a private message from an unknown number. She had sent me a series of photos—every single one was of me, taken without my knowledge while I was showering or changing clothes. [You forced my hand, Allison. I didn’t want to do this but you left me no choice. Now, just cooperate and play along. Otherwise, I’ll post all these online and make sure you’ll never get married.] I met her gaze across the room and clenched my fists. Aunt Mary looped her arm through Leslie’s and eagerly recounted everything that had happen