Chapter 2

Give me a break.

You're nothing.

I wanted to blow up, but I bit my tongue.

Had to hold back—for now. The truth would hit way harder later.

I took a slow breath. "Really. Don't worry about me. I've got it handled."

Yvette, thinking I was finally caving, sounded all pleased. "Glad you came around. Stop being so dramatic. Focus on your next interview. I'm gonna check on Kevin—he's been feeling so guilty, he hasn't even eaten."

"Got it." I hung up, cool and clean. Didn't want another word from her.

Then came the new offer from Gauthier Corp.

Not an intern this time—a full-time employee.

Right after I turned in my onboarding paperwork, Yvette pinged me:

[Sending out résumés? Any other interviews lined up?]

I hit back: [No.]

She stalled—probably scrambling for her next move. Then, right on cue:

[Job hunting takes time. Dylan, Kevin felt SO bad about what happened. He wants to take you out, say thanks properly.]

Yeah, I could already see their phony smiles through the screen.

Dinner? Sure. More like "trap part two."

Before I could shut it down, she tossed in:

[By the way, can I ask you for a favor?]

Of course.

I just stared at the screen, deadpan.

[Kevin's starting at Gauthier Corp. Training's rough, and he's stressed. Mind sending him the prep stuff you found? You won't need it now anyway.]

My hand curled into a fist.

I'd busted my ass for that offer—late nights in the library, eyes burning, buried in prep.

Back then? Yvette only texted to whine that I was taking too long. Calling me? Nah. That would've cut into her gaming.

She never gave a damn about the effort.

Instead, she and Kevin tag-teamed to boot me out.

And now she wanted me to just hand it all over... to the guy who replaced me?

The audacity made me sick. Just thinking about her turned my stomach.

When I didn't bite, she doubled down:

[You've got free time anyway, right? Might as well help Kevin out so he can pass probation.]

[Gauthier Corp's a great company. You might learn something. It won't hurt.]

I took a slow breath, forcing the heat down.

Say no now, and I lose the long game.

If we're putting on a show, I'm going full method.

I typed back, every word icy and exact:

[Sure. No problem. Leave it to me.]

Yvette lit up. And of course, couldn't resist flexing:

[Don't worry. Once Kevin settles in, I'll put in a good word for you with the higher-ups.]

[Maybe we can even recommend you to a subsidiary of the company.]

A subsidiary?

The whole damn company is my family's.

And she thought she could get me in?

I nearly laughed. Intern queen really thought she was tossing me a bone.

Perfect. Let's see how far you snakes crawl with this.

Totally clueless, she shot off one last message:

[Alright, can't talk now. Kevin's calling me. Send the materials over ASAP.]