Chapter 1

Jacob Larson, my older brother, gasped on the other end of the phone before chuckling. "What, has our heiress finally understood how cruel society can be and decided to return home to take over the family business?"

There was silent support and encouragement in his familiar, lighthearted teasing.

Unfortunately, I was in no mood to joke. "Yes. I'd like to go back. Can you arrange it?"

Sensing something amiss, Jacob had a feeling that I was upset and hurt. He wasted no time in agreeing to my request. "Come back, then. The doors of Larson Group will always be open to you."

I'd just hung up when Human Resources called to apologize and rehire me.

Not long after, Noah Gardner called. "Eloise, it's been a day since you've given me the cold shoulder. Have you calmed down?"

He spoke arrogantly, putting on what he thought was a generous front.

"Cut me some slack. Isabelle couldn't get a job and ended up sick from anxiety. Try to understand, Eloise."

Tears sprang to my red-rimmed eyes as I shook with anger. "I'm your girlfriend, yet you reported me to HR because of Isabelle Buchanan! That's outright betrayal, Noah!"

"I mean, it's not like I had a choice!" Dismissive of my concerns, Noah launched into a lengthy analysis as if I were a child in need of lecturing. "Isabelle couldn't find a suitable job and got so anxious that she'd burst into tears for seemingly no reason.

"The work at Larson Group is simple but pays well, and the company has a great platform. It's perfect for her.

"Besides, you're highly competent; you could get a new job with just a few more applications. I don't know why you're getting so worked up."

I sputtered. "You knew that I stayed up late for several nights in a row and was super stressed over this job, Noah.

"I only applied to Larson Group because you have an internship there, but you made a report about me just as I was about to get in! What's the big idea?"

Upon hearing this, Noah growled, "Is your heart made of stone, Eloise? How have I never realized this selfish side of you? Isabelle is your junior, so shouldn't you help her out?

"It's just a job. Are you going to suffer humiliation over it?"

"Did you just snap at me?"

My hands and feet went cold. I couldn't believe these scathing words had come out of Noah's mouth. "If it's 'just a job', why did you report me and let Isabelle in instead? Why not let her find her own job?"

"Why should we go through the trouble when there's already a position open?" Noah seemed pleased with my misfortune. "Just hand in a few more applications.

"In the time you took to hash things out with me here, you could have been job-hunting. You're just wasting time here!"

He let out a long sigh. "Eloise, I've always thought of you as generous and gracious. I never expected you to be so petty. I'm really disappointed in you.

"Are you taking this out on me because you flunked the interview and couldn't show off in class?"

The venomous words stabbed through my heart and made it bleed. Petty, he'd called me. Why should I have to be petty about an internship?

His internship at Larson Group was the only reason I even bothered with the interview in the first place. I'd simply wanted to be with him.

If I'd wanted to get into Larson Group, Jacob would only need to say the word, and I'd be appointed to management. The internship was nothing to me.

But I didn't want to waste my breath on Noah. My heart was shattered. All I wanted was to get back at Noah and Isabelle and have them punished.

I sighed quietly, but Noah seemed to think I'd compromised and been forced to accept his decision. Emboldened, he pointed out with mock charity, "Alright. I know you've had it hard. How about I hook you up with a few smaller companies?

"One of them is bound to take you in. It won't be like working for Larson Group, of course, but it's still a decent jumping-off point for you."

He was insistent, as if he were granting me some heaven-blessed favor.

I cut him off coolly, "No, thanks."

Noah snorted. "You're graduating soon. Are you sure you can land a good job without me?"

"Oh, I'd hate to bother you, Noah. God forbid I get through an interview only for someone to report me, then swoop in and steal my job before I even start. I'll figure out my own career, so you and Isabelle can quit worrying your pretty little heads."

My sarcasm pissed him off. "At least show some self-awareness, Eloise! You wouldn't have passed Larson Group's interview without my coaching! Use your brain, woman. You're nothing without me!"