Chapter 2

The moment I finished speaking, Clay showed up.

He was the head of our department, and also my boyfriend of two years.

His face full of tenderness, he comforted Kirsten. "What's the matter? You were fine a second ago—why are your eyes all red?"

Kirsten's voice caught with tears. "Clay, I just wanted to borrow a proposal from Aileen for reference. If she didn't want to, that's fine, but she went and accused me of copying her..."

Clay looked at me, displeased. "Aileen Henson, haven't you made enough of a scene?"

"The presentation is about to start. We're all on the same team—what's wrong with helping each other out?"

"Lend Kirsten the flash drive, let's get through the defense first. The team's interests come first."

I sneered coldly. "Supervisor Harding, the team's interests mean everyone does the work on their own merits, not that I hand over three months of my hard work to someone else so she can use it as a stepping stone."

"If she's really capable, she can get up there herself."

"If she doesn't have what it takes, she shouldn't be taking up a spot."

Clay hadn't expected me to contradict him in public, and his expression turned ugly.

I picked up the presentation materials off the table and walked around them toward the conference room. As I passed Kirsten, I said quietly, "You're not even worthy of copying my work!"

Behind me came Kirsten's soft sobbing, and Clay's low, comforting voice.

In my last life, this was where I softened my heart, lent out the flash drive, and ended up disgraced and ruined.

In this life, starting with refusing at this very step, I was going to take back everything that belonged to me.

The conference room door closed behind me. The five judges were already seated, with Operations Director Miles Finch in the middle.

I took a deep breath and set my materials down on the table.

This comeback fight had officially begun.

My presentation was scheduled second.

The first up was a veteran employee from another group. He gave a by-the-book presentation, the judges barely asked any questions, and the mood stayed flat.