Chapter 2

Bullshit! Who did Noah think he was?

I wanted to swear at him, but my voice of reason prompted me to shut my mouth. I had to keep it together until I could show Noah and Isabelle how wrong they'd been to underestimate me.

I took a deep breath. "All I'm saying is that you won't have to worry about me. I'll figure this out."

Pleased by my apparent acquiescence, Noah eased up and replied, "I'm glad you've come to your senses. Now, stop brooding and prepare for your next interview.

"In the meantime, I'll check on Isabelle and see how she's doing. She was so wrecked with guilt about this, she couldn't even eat."

"Sure." I hung up calmly, refusing to say anything else to him.

Larson Group sent me a new letter of employment. This time, I was recruited not as an intern, but as an official employee.

I'd just filled in the application when Noah texted me again. "Are you applying for jobs? Have any other companies reached out with an interview invite?"

"I didn't apply," was all I wrote back.

My answer caught Noah off guard. He appeared to be at a loss.

A while later, he decided on an appropriate reply. "Well, that's job hunting for you. It takes time. Also, Isabelle is unbelievably kind. After hearing I'd reported you, she felt so bad that she offered to buy you a meal to properly thank you."

Through the screen, I could picture how disingenuous Isabelle and Noah were. I doubted Isabelle wanted to buy me a meal as much as she wanted to poison me at the dinner table.

Before I could respond, Noah followed up with, "By the way, I need a favor from you."

There it was.

I girded myself, fixing my icy gaze on the phone screen as I waited for his text. "Isabelle's starting at Larson Group soon. It so happens that the rookies have plenty to do during their training.

"I'm concerned that Isabelle won't be able to cope with the work. She is, after all, just a young lady."

"Could you give her the materials on Larson Group you'd compiled before? You won't need them anyway."

I clenched my fists.

I stayed up late compiling those materials alone in the library and emerged with bloodshot eyes, only to secure an internship offer from Larson Group. Noah had only ever texted me and urged me to go home, annoyed that our calls were getting in the way of his gaming.

He'd never sympathized with me for working so hard, yet he'd joined hands with Isabelle to steal the internship right out from under me.

And now, he was casually asking for the results of my blood, sweat, and tears so he could gift them to my replacement.

I was so disgusted by Noah that I almost retched.

Noah pressed me relentlessly when I didn't reply. "It's not like you've found a job. You must be bored being all by yourself. How about you help Isabelle with her work remotely so she can breeze through probation?

"Larson Group is a behemoth. You could stand to learn a thing or two by working remotely for Isabelle. The way I see it, it's good for you."

I took a deep breath, bottling my rage.

I could refuse to cough up the research I'd done on Larson Group, but that wouldn't do any good for the payback I'd planned for Noah and Isabelle. This was a long game, and my wholehearted performance was the key to winning it.

Tapping on the screen, I punctuated each word with cold contempt. "Sure, no problem. Leave it to me."

Noah was extremely pleased about this, but probably thought that he could take his disgusting behavior further.

He made me a big, fat, empty promise. "Don't worry. I'll put in a good word for you with management once Isabelle's secured her footing at Larson Group.

"Maybe then, if the right opportunity comes along, you'll be recommended to work in one of the company's subsidiaries."

Subsidiaries? Please. The entire Larson Group was run by my family. I didn't need Noah to put in a good word for me with anyone.

I snorted inwardly as I read Noah's charitable offer.

Very well, then. I'd like to see what other tricks this weasly pair could pull.

Oblivious to my inner monologue, Noah wrapped up our conversation with a brief, "Alright. Talk to you later. Isabelle called me. Send me the materials, okay?"