Chapter 2

I lifted my eyes and swept a glance over their ugly, jeering faces. Then, I picked up my fork and quietly poked at the instant noodles.

I would make sure to repay this humiliation with interest.

Lowering my eyes, I sent a text to the major client I had been following up with for eight months.

"Mr. Garner, have you had the chance to consider that project yet?"

As the dinner party broke up, Harvey announced they were heading to a bar to continue the fun. A group of them immediately followed, cheering and eager.

When Penny passed by me, she deliberately bumped my shoulder and said mockingly, "Come on, join us for some fun. Maybe if Mr. Vance gets happy enough, he'll reward you with a few more cups of instant noodles."

"No, thanks. I'm going home," I replied without so much as lifting my head.

Then, ignoring the laughter and teasing behind me, I turned and walked into the cold night wind.

Just as I got home, my phone buzzed with a message from Mr. Garner.

"Ms. Marsh, I truly admire your grit, so I've decided to sign that 500-million-dollar project with you. Are you free tomorrow to come in and discuss the contract details?"

My fingertips paused briefly before I quickly replied, "Mr. Garner, I'm terribly sorry, but there's something I need to tell you. I'm planning to leave Cumulus Tech, so I'm afraid I can't sign the contract under Cumulus' name.

"However, I'll be starting at Harbor Tech soon. I was wondering if you'd still be willing to sign with me then?"

After sending the message, I felt a bit anxious.

After all, this deal wasn't just the fruits of half a year's labor. It was also the key to my counterattack.

A few seconds later, Mr. Garner called me, his voice hearty and cheerful.

"You're leaving Cumulus Tech? Don't worry. In business, I deal with people, not companies. For the past eight months, you've been running around nonstop, taking care of everything. And when my mother was hospitalized last time, it was you who took care of her. I've kept it in my heart all this time."

He paused, then continued in a tone full of appreciation and affirmation.

"You say you're going to Harbor Tech? That's perfect. Harbor is a solid company with real strength. With you joining them, it'll be a powerhouse combination. Consider this 500-million-dollar deal my welcome gift to you. Wherever you go, that's where we'll sign the contract."

A wave of gratitude washed over me, but I pulled myself together and replied evenly, "Thank you for your faith in me, Mr. Garner. But I do have one small request. After I resign, I'd love for you to stick around and watch a little drama unfold."

Laughter burst from the other end of the line.

"No problem! I really want to see what kind of company would dare mistreat a talent like you. When the time comes, just say the word, and I'll back you up all the way."

The next morning, I walked into the Cumulus Tech office right on time.

The moment I pushed open the door, I was met with an air of celebration.

My colleagues were gathered together, their faces plastered with exaggerated smiles, chattering excitedly about Mr. Garner's 500-million-dollar deal.

"Have you heard? Mr. Garner seems inclined to sign with us. If this deal goes through, our year-end dividends are guaranteed to be huge!"

"No kidding. Mr. Vance was already saying at the bar last night that this deal is in the bag. He's even going to give each of us a bonus, five figures at least!"

"Bruce is really something else. He got this deal done just after taking it over. From now on, we better stick close to him."

When they saw me walk in, the clamor died down abruptly.

All eyes turned on me. Some held sympathy, some held mockery, but most were just reveling in my misery.

After all, everyone knew I was the one who had been working on this deal. And now that it was about to land, I was the one left hanging out to dry.

Bruce walked toward me with a box of instant noodles in hand and deliberately tossed it onto my desk with a loud thud.

"Dana, you probably haven't had breakfast yet, right? I brought you a box of instant noodles. It's more than enough to go around. Look at you, three years with Mr. Vance, and you can't even hold on to a single deal?"

He leaned in close and whispered, not even bothering to hide the contempt in his voice, "If a deal isn't yours to close, you can fight for it all you want, and it won't make a difference.

"You simply don't have what it takes to land a 500-million-dollar contract, so just stick to your instant noodles and try not to starve. Wouldn't want you too weak to scrub the toilets."

I glanced up at him coolly and said calmly, "By the way, I saw your new car downstairs on my way in. Looks like you got slapped with a ticket. I think it was 200 dollars."