Chapter 2

"Janet, please. I don't want to go home and get married off! That old man has already beaten two wives to death. If I marry him, I won't survive. Please don't force me to go back."

Chris shoved me hard. His eyes were full of rage.

"Janet, how can you be so cruel? Do you have to push Shirley to her death?"

People around us started whispering, looking at us nosily.

"Janet, what are you doing? Did you actually force Shirley to kneel?"

"Janet, even if your family's richer than ours, everyone's equal. How could you make Shirley kneel? That's too mean."

After being shoved by Chris, my waist slammed against the corner of the desk. Pain shot through my back, and I inhaled sharply.

I rubbed the sore spot, walked straight up to Chris, and slapped him across the face.

"Chris, what right do you have to lay a hand on me?"

Then, I kicked Shirley aside.

"If you want to kneel, kneel in front of others. Don't kneel in front of me. It's a sore sight."

Everyone froze in shock. Their outrage grew louder.

"Janet, did you just hit her? You've gone too far."

I snorted.

"Too far? When I stayed up day and night to get this partnership, where was all of your concern? When I drank myself into the hospital for a contract, why didn't you say I was going too far?

"When you took the bonuses from the project I secured, why didn't any of you say that was too far? Even a workhorse gets better treatment than what you all do after squeezing me dry."

The crowd went silent.

I sneered sarcastically.

"If being pitiful means one deserves what belongs to others, then why don't you all donate your corneas to the blind people in the world? Since you are too blind to tell right from wrong, maybe you don't need them anyway."

People suddenly understood how ridiculous they sounded and began apologizing to me. Then, they turned to Shirley.

"Shirley, Janet poured her heart and soul into this project. She's the one who actually qualifies to lead it."

"Exactly. Even if your situation is sad, you can't guilt-trip her. Janet doesn't owe you anything."

Seeing the crowd switch sides, Shirley panicked. Her crying became even more pitiful.

"Janet, that's not what I meant! If you really want to force me to death, then I'll just go die."

My heart clenched from anger. I was stating facts, yet she twisted it into me driving her to suicide.

It was ridiculous. Anyone with eyes could see the truth.

But Chris, blind as always, pulled Shirley into his arms. He turned to me and ordered, "Janet, from today on, Shirley is the project lead. You're just a team member now. Do your job."

I clenched my jaw, furious. "Why? I secured this partnership. I'm not giving it up!"

"What do you mean you secured it? Luxton Group is partnering with us because our company is capable. Don't act like you did it all yourself. Even without you, Shirley could've handled it. She might've done even better," he said coldly.

Shirley nodded in agreement. "The Luxton Group only chose our company because they heard about Chris's reputation as a genius. That's why they trust us."

I snorted. One look at Chris's face told me he believed every word.

"Since that's what you think, then fine. I won't be the lead."

Chris assumed I had given in. He looked quite pleased.

"Janet, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. There's no need to fight Shirley over this."

Shirley strutted over proudly.

"Janet, keep handling the part of the project you were responsible for. Once the final plan is ready, I'll sign the contract with the Luxton Group."

I almost laughed.

When I was the project lead, I carried a quarter of the workload myself. Now, she wanted me to keep doing the hard labor while she enjoyed the credit? How convenient for her.

"Sorry, but I'm not doing it."

Shirley frowned. "Janet, this project is important to the company. Don't be childish."

Chris thought I was throwing a tantrum as well.

"Janet, if you keep doing this, I'll have to kick you out of the company."