Chapter 4

A week later came the day the company announced who would get the permanent slot.

By the time I arrived, the conference room was already packed.

Lewis Chavez sat at the head of the table, with Supervisor Finch from the Audit Department beside him.

Georgia Chavez had taken the seat closest to Manager Lawrence, laughing and chatting with the coworker next to her.

The moment they saw me walk in, the room went dead quiet for a second.

Then the whispering broke out, louder than before.

"How does she even have the nerve to show up?"

"Suspended and under investigation, and she still shows her face. Some nerve."

I ignored all of it and walked straight to an empty seat in the corner.

Lewis cleared his throat, signaling for quiet.

"All right, everyone's here. Let's begin."

"Today's main item is announcing the results for this batch of interns' permanent positions."

He picked up a document from the table and let his eyes sweep the room.

They finally settled on Georgia, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"After a full company evaluation, the one and only permanent slot this round goes to Georgia Chavez."

Applause broke out at once.

Georgia stood and bowed modestly to the room in thanks.

When the clapping died down, Manager Lawrence shifted his tone and turned to look at me.

"Now I'd like to give special recognition to Georgia."

"Not only is her work outstanding, but even rarer, she holds herself to the highest professional standards!"

"She reported corruption inside the company in time and protected the company's core interests!"

"That's a spirit every one of us should learn from!"

The other coworkers all turned and clapped for Georgia in unison.

When their eyes landed on me, they were full of contempt and mockery.

"Mr. Chavez, I have no objection to who gets the slot."

I leaned back in my chair, my voice low but perfectly clear in the silent room.

"But you say she reported corruption. Was any of it ever verified?"

Lewis's face darkened, and he slammed a hand on the table.

"Nova Sutton! Even now you refuse to admit what you did!"

"No cash in your drawer doesn't mean you didn't take any!"

Georgia stood up too, looking wounded.

"Nova, we've all been coworkers. I never wanted to push this to the limit."

"Since I've already got the permanent position, you should hand in your resignation these next few days, don't you think?"

"Don't force the company to fire you. Think how ugly that'll look on your record."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Whose record ends up ugly is anyone's guess."

Lewis lost it completely and jabbed a finger at the door.

"Get out, now! Or else—"

Two burly security guards rushed into the conference room.

"Mr. Chavez, you're going to regret this!"

One look from Lewis, and the two guards started hauling me toward the door.

I struggled, but I was no match for them.

Georgia watched me being dragged out in that sorry state, a vicious smile curling at her lips, and mouthed the words at me.

"You can't beat me."

I threw everything I had into it, tore free of the two guards, and strode straight for the big LED screen.

Pulling the USB drive from my pocket, I looked back at Lewis.

"Mr. Chavez, I hope you can still act this tough after you've watched this!"

"You useless idiots! Drag her out of here right now!"

Lewis roared at the two guards.

Just as they were about to grab me—

The conference room door swung open from the outside, and a man in a sharp suit walked in.

"Nobody move! Let her play it!"

The LED screen lit up all at once.

The instant they saw what was on it, every person in the room sucked in a sharp breath.