All Chapters of Allergic to Cheer: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

The next day's Christmas team event was at some swanky hotel's banquet hall. Keith was there, wine glass in hand, glowing and talking about the same old spiel–unity and sticking together.I was tucked away in a corner, quietly nibbling on my food, doing everything I could to blend into the background.The party was in full swing when the doors to the banquet hall swung open. A waiter rolled in a cart heaped with Christmas gift boxes, each one wrapped up like a little treasure.Yvette was on it in a flash, tearing into one and hoisting it up for all to see."Wow! Check this out, everyone! It's a gift box! And it looks like it cost a pretty penny!"My stomach dropped.Those Christmas boxes were a disaster for me: nut chocolate.Nuts were all triggers for my allergies, walnuts being the worst offender. A mere brush against my skin and I would be covered in red welts, and I did not even want to think about what would happen if I ate one.The rest of my colleagues were all too eager

The air in my lungs was growing scarce, each breath searing like inhaling shards of hot glass.I could not die there, not like this.With a desperate instinct to survive, I dug into my pocket with the last bit of strength I had and pulled out my phone.My fingers, trembling from lack of oxygen, managed to hit the speed dial I knew by heart, and I quickly typed out a text.[Dad, help. Allergic reaction, at Victoria Garden Hotel, 3rd floor, Crystal Ballroom…]As I hit send, my phone slipped from my limp grasp.That was when I felt a stabbing pain in my leg. Yvette had jabbed me with her stiletto heel."Hey! Quit faking!"Everyone, check this out. The show's getting real. She's twitching now! Should I call her an ambulance and get the spotlight on her?"Laughter broke out, cruel and loud."Yvette, that's too much. Ella's just acting, let her be," someone chided."She's probably just trying to win Mr. Johnson's pity after losing face in the vote," another sneered.Keith looked

"That's a lie!" Yvette shrieked, launching herself at Darcy in a frenzy. "You dare to smear my name? I'll rip your mouth off!"The bodyguards were on her in an instant, pinning her down with no effort.Keith, seeing his cover blown, quickly shifted the blame, pointing at Yvette and yelling, "Mr. Harris! She's the culprit! This wicked woman!"She's been stirring the pot, pushing Ms. Harris to eat the nut chocolate!"I was just duped by her. I was clueless!""Keith, you're slinging mud!" Yvette, though restrained on the floor, snapped back with equal venom. "It was obviously you! You were the one who couldn't stand Ella's defiance, always challenging you. You told me to set her straight!"You promised me a permanent spot if I handled it well! You gave me the green light!""That's a lie!" Keith shouted.In full view of everyone, they started tearing into each other like rabid dogs. My dad watched the spectacle unfold with an icy gaze, not uttering a single extra word. He simply si

Dad and I stepped into the planning department. It was a whole new world: the old desks were deserted, and the new department head and staff were in the thick of transitioning.The new department head stood to greet us, but Dad just led me to my old desk. My little succulent was still there, and my papers were spread out like I had just stepped away."Ella," he said, "you won't be sitting here anymore."He gestured toward the executive suite. "That's your office now. You're going to run the planning department."I froze. "Dad, I...""There's no need to second-guess yourself," he cut me off, his eyes unwavering."You've got what it takes. I wanted you to make your own way, to live like everyone else, to toughen up."However, I've realized that playing it too low-key just invites trouble from those looking to push you around."From here on out, you're the heiress of Harris Group, Trevon's daughter."Your name is your shield. I dare anyone to mess with you now."His declaration