Chapter 4

Without showing any emotion, I walked up to the desk and dropped a thick stack of binders before her.

"Here are the hand-off files. Every client contact, milestone sheet, and status report is in there."

Chloe eyed the stack suspiciously. "Is the fifty-million-dollar Davis account in here too?"

"Yes," I answered simply. Then, out of professional courtesy, I added, "Mr. Davis is currently in Europe for an overseas summit. Because of the time difference, his working hours are our 2:00 AM. Every single contract review has been handled by me in the middle of the night. Mr. Davis has zero patience for incompetence and is extremely detail-oriented. There are dozens of rival firms waiting to steal this contract. If you slip up, the deal is dead. Make sure you monitor the project WhatsApp group closely."

"Oh, please. Who are you trying to intimidate?"

Chloe rolled her eyes in mockery. "He’s just another client. Robert is my brother-in-law; what can a client do to me? Now that you’re gone, I call the shots around here. Pack your junk and get out. You’re an eyesore."

Looking at her arrogant, delusional face, I didn't even feel angry anymore. It was just pathetic.

"All right. Best of luck."

I boxed up my personal belongings, hugged Tara goodbye, and walked out the front doors.

Instead of going home, I drove straight to a reputable downtown law firm.

After reviewing my files and recordings, Attorney Vance was visibly impressed. "Ms. Avery, your evidence is rock solid. Privacy infringement, workplace defamation, unpaid benefit contributions, and illegal wage deduction... Once we file this, Apex Innovations is in for a massive legal nightmare."

"Please move forward immediately," I said with a calm smile. "In addition, I want to file an individual civil lawsuit against Chloe personally for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

With everything set in motion, I went home and finally enjoyed a peaceful, deep sleep.

Yet, whether it was adrenaline or years of ingrained habits, my eyes fluttered open at 2:00 AM.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand. It was a message from an unmuted client project group on WhatsApp that I hadn't left yet.

Executive Assistant: [We are ready for the final clause review. If everything is in order, the contract will be executed immediately, and the $50M initial transfer will hit your corporate account within the hour.]

Executive Assistant: [@Chloe, please confirm receipt.]

Mr. Davis: [Where is Avery? Why isn't she handling this?]

Executive Assistant: [Mr. Davis, Avery has resigned. Chloe has taken over as the lead account manager.]

Mr. Davis went completely silent.

An entire hour ticked by without a single response from Chloe.

Mr. Davis: [What kind of incompetent joke is this? You expect me to sit here in the middle of my workday waiting for this nobody? Call her right now!]

Executive Assistant: [Mr. Davis, I’ve dialed her three times. No answer.]