Chapter 2

"The above slide shows our preliminary concept for your company's development over the next three years…"

I fumbled through my explanation of the draft proposal. I couldn't remember much of the data, so I was forced to improvise on the spot.

The audience's laughter grew louder. Dennis couldn't help but roll his eyes.

My cheeks burned, and my palms were slick with sweat.

As I steeled myself to deliver the final summary, a voice suddenly cut me off.

"My apologies, Mr. Newman, and to all of you here," Dwayne said, a calm, confident smile on his face. Without me noticing, he had already picked up another microphone.

The audience immediately fell silent, every eye turning toward him.

"Since Evelyn just returned to the country, she isn't familiar with our business operations yet. On top of that, she's not feeling well today. That's why her performance is below par."

With just a few words, he had shifted the blame onto my so-called "sickness". I was stunned at how easily he had washed his hands of any responsibility.

"To avoid wasting everyone's valuable time, my personal assistant, Ms. Katherine Cadwell, will now present a more polished proposal our team has prepared."

Since when had Katherine turned into his personal assistant?

I froze, my mind going completely blank.

Dressed in a sleek business suit and high heels, Katherine gracefully walked onto the stage.

Her makeup was impeccable, and her hair was pinned back in a perfect updo. Her entire being exuded the confidence of a corporate elite.

Her polished appearance stood in sharp contrast to my disheveled state.

She stole a glance at me. Though her gaze seemed apologetic, a trace of smugness shone through.

Without hesitation, she deftly inserted a USB drive into the backup laptop. "Ms. Brown, thank you for your effort. I'll take it from here."

Her gentle, polite voice sent a chill down my spine.

Almost immediately, the projector displayed a PowerPoint that was impeccably designed. Aside from its elegant formatting and thorough data, it featured the very idea I had conceived.

It was the key concept I had painstakingly refined through countless sleepless nights—the finishing touch I believed to be wholly original.

But to my frustration, every bit of my hard work was now showcased in Katherine's slides, presented as though it were her own stroke of genius.

"This core concept is the result of seven consecutive nights of brainstorming with Mr. Woodruff and our team," she explained passionately, as though she had truly put in all that effort.

The clients who had ridiculed me just moments earlier were now stunned and impressed.

"This proposal is remarkable!"

"Mr. Woodruff's team is incredibly professional!"

"With talent like this, Brown Group's future looks limitless!"

Like an idiot, I stood helplessly on the sidelines. I had unwittingly been reduced to the most pitiful backdrop in the room.

Unable to hold back any longer, I lunged forward like a madwoman. "You thief! That was my idea! How dare you steal my proposal?"

I wanted to grab the microphone and expose Katherine's lies in front of everyone. But before I could take another step, a strong hand clamped down on my shoulder.

It was Dwayne.

His striking features twisted in disdain. "Evelyn, you'd better get your shit together," he whispered in my ear.

In front of all the clients, he effortlessly pulled me away from the stage.

Under his firm grip, I struggled to stay on my feet.

"What's the matter with the heiress of the Brown family?"

"She really can't handle losing, can she?"

"It's a relief that Mr. Woodruff is around. Otherwise, things could have gotten completely out of hand."

Whispers rippled through the audience as they observed the unfolding scene.

"Stay here and calm down. Don't go out there and embarrass me again."

With a blank expression, Dwayne shoved me into the storage room backstage. Moments later, the lock turned outside, its sharp click cutting me off from the rest of the world.

On the other side of the door, Katherine was met with the crowd's approving applause.

At the same time, Dennis announced that Katherine and Dwayne's team would be given priority for the contract.

Inside, I felt utterly isolated, consumed by darkness and silence.

In that instant, it felt as if both my career and my love life had been doomed to oblivion.

I slumped against the cold door, letting myself slide to the floor. My body shook uncontrollably, each breath a sharp stab of pain.