Chapter 3

What she didn't know was that over the past three months, I had thoroughly researched Apex's financial reports from the last five years, including detailed profiles of all their competitors.

Real-time dynamic updates were basic play for me.

For the next half hour, I flew through the rest of the presentation. Chloe tried to interrupt me three more times, but each time, I shut her down with more precise statistics and flawless logic.

When the presentation ended, Mr. Sterling, the General Manager of Apex’s Marketing Department, was the first to clap.

"Ms. Shen's expertise is highly impressive. Personally, I am extremely satisfied."

Carter’s face remained entirely expressionless. He gave a stiff nod. "Thank you for your time, Ms. Shen. You may go back and wait for our decision."

I packed up my laptop and walked out. As I passed Chloe, she leaned in and whispered in a voice only I could hear:

"Avery, see that? I can destroy three months of your hard work with a single sentence."

I stopped in my tracks and looked down at her.

"You think you ruined my hard work?"

I leaned down close to her ear.

"You only ruined a single presentation. But I might just destroy the job you just landed."

Her face went pale.

I stood up straight and walked out of the boardroom without looking back.

On my drive back to the office, my phone rang. It was Sarah.

"Avery, Apex just filed a formal complaint against you. They claim your presentation was poorly prepared, your data was inaccurate, and your attitude was arrogant."

I gripped the steering wheel. "Who filed it?"

"Their Marketing Director, Carter Vance. He claims you lack professional standards and is demanding our agency assign a new lead to this account."

I took a deep breath.

Carter, you really are a piece of work.

"Sarah, let me handle this. Just give me two days."

I hung up, pulled over to the side of the road, and rested my forehead against the steering wheel to catch my breath.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Carter.

"Avery, the presentation was just the beginning. You embarrassed me in front of security last night. Did you really think I’d let that slide?"

I didn’t reply.

Another text popped up.

"If you make a public apology and admit you falsely accused Chloe and me, I might say a few good words to the board to save your agency’s pitch."

I stared at the screen and laughed out loud.

Say a few good words for me?

What a joke.

Without wasting another second, I dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

The phone rang three times before a warm, familiar voice answered.

"Avery! Dear, it’s been so long. How is your father doing?"

"He's doing great, Arthur. He just retired last month."

"That’s wonderful to hear. What brings you to call me today, Avery? Is everything okay?"

I bit my lip. "Arthur, I need to get in touch with Julian Miller. Would it be possible for you to give me his contact info?"

The line went quiet for a few seconds.

"Julian? Why do you need to see him?"

"It's about work," I paused. "I need to ask him for a favor."

Arthur hummed thoughtfully. "That boy has a difficult temper, Avery. I can't promise he'll agree to see you. Let me ask him first, and I'll get back to you."

"Thank you, Arthur."

I hung up and started the car again.

Julian Miller was the youngest son of the prestigious Miller family, and the actual, undisputed CEO of Apex Group.

Carter thought he was a big deal just because he made Director, but he didn't realize that Apex Group had been acquired by the Miller family five years ago.

His director position was basically a scrap of food thrown to him from the Millers' table.

The only reason I knew Julian was because my dad and Arthur—Julian's eldest brother—had been close friends for decades.

When Julian was a teenager, he had come to my house for dinner once. I remembered him as a quiet, aloof boy who sat in the corner and barely spoke a word all night.

Later, I heard he went Ivy League, took over Apex Group, and we lost touch.

At eight that evening, Arthur texted me back.

"Avery, Julian agreed to see you. Tomorrow at 3:00 PM, penthouse office at Apex Headquarters."

I let out a sigh of relief and typed back a quick thank-you note.

Just as I put my phone down, the doorbell rang.

Looking through the peephole, I saw Carter standing outside, holding a pink cake box.

I didn't open the door.

He knocked. "Avery, I know you’re in there. Open the door. We need to talk."