Chapter 4

Our old company had some reputation in the valley.

So, quite a few people knew about the drama between Rachel and me. However, none of them knew my connection to the Miller Group.

As people started staring and whispering, a familiar, sharp voice echoed from behind us.

"You two should watch your mouths. With Frank's talent, he can succeed anywhere. Unlike some people who only know how to talk a big game."

Sienna walked up, wearing a stunning pink evening gown. She had a delicate, doll-like face, but her eyes were sharp as needles.

Mikel smirked, deliberately raising his voice so the whole room could hear.

"Oh? What's the matter, Frank? Since you got fired, have you resorted to being a sugar baby just to get into these events?"

Rachel sneered along. "Exactly. I thought you had some pride left, Frank. Turns out you're just selling your body now that you don't have me."

Sienna’s face darkened. "I don't think a failing company like yours has any right to question Frank's abilities!"

Mikel snorted. "Abilities? If he’s so capable, why did we kick him out?"

Sienna let out a cold laugh, looking at Mikel with absolute disgust.

"Do you really think you're a genius?"

"From what I know, you're just a pathetic thief who stole someone else's code."

The crowd broke into hushed whispers. They all knew about the breakthrough software Rachel’s company had just launched, but they had only heard her side of the story.

Rachel’s face flushed red. "Don't talk nonsense! Mikel did everything for the company!"

Sienna smirked. "Did everything? A guy who can't even write a basic loop?"

I didn't know how Sienna found out about that.

Sienna was the daughter of my father's close friend, the head of the Sterling Group. She was my date for the evening.

I gently patted Sienna’s shoulder to calm her down, pulling her slightly behind me.

Seeing me protect Sienna, a flash of jealousy crossed Rachel’s eyes. She bit her lip and hissed, "Frank, you're just a kept man living off a rich girl. Don't get too arrogant. Let's see how long she keeps you around before she gets bored."

Mikel laughed loudly beside her, his laughter echoing offensively.

Just then, a staff member ran into the hall, looking pale and panicked. He whispered something into Rachel and Mikel’s ears.

In an instant, the color drained from their faces. Their smug smiles vanished, replaced by sheer terror.

"What did you say?!" Mikel raised his voice in shock. "How could there be such a massive system crash?!"

Rachel trembled, her voice cracking. "What's going on? Didn't we run all the tests?!"

Their loud panic drew the attention of the entire room.

I smiled to myself. The unfixed bug had finally exploded.

Within minutes, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Hey, did you hear? Rachel’s company launched a software with a massive bug. It just crashed their biggest client's database. They're facing a multi-million-dollar lawsuit."

"Whoa, really? That company is done for."

"I knew that tech was too good to be true. Turns out it was just a broken piece of junk."

The gossip spread like wildfire. Rachel and Mikel looked like they were about to throw up.

Rachel gritted her teeth, glaring at me with pure rage.

"Frank! You did this, didn't you?! You left that bug on purpose!"

I smiled coldly. "Rachel, don't be ridiculous."

"Didn't Mikel design the core technology? What does a bug have to do with me?"

Rachel grabbed Mikel’s arm, panicking. "Mikel, what do we do? We can't afford that kind of payout!"

"Aren't you the heir to the Miller Group? Call your family! Get them to use their resources to fix this!"

Mikel’s eyes darted around frantically, sweat pouring down his forehead. "Rachel... it's... it's not that simple. I can't just make decisions for the Miller Group by myself."

Suddenly, the room went completely silent. The summit was starting.

My mother, Victoria Miller, the founder of the Miller Group, walked onto the stage wearing an elegant designer dress.

She looked around the room, her eyes softening as they landed on me. She smiled into the microphone.

"Today, I want to introduce someone who is vital to the future of the Miller Group. My son, Frank Monroe."