Chapter 4

The next morning, the Kids’ Charity Art Gala officially opened.

A large crowd quickly gathered around the painting in the center.

"Oh my god, did a seven-year-old really paint this?"

"This is incredible. The composition, the colors..."

"This kid is a prodigy!"

Sarah stood nearby, smiling from ear to ear, though she pretended to be humble.

"Oh, it's nothing, really. She was just playing around."

A colleague walked over to me.

"Chloe, did you select this painting? You have an amazing eye."

I smiled faintly. "No, I didn't select it. Director Victoria personally approved it."

The colleague looked at me in surprise but didn't ask further.

At 4:00 PM, it was time for the awards ceremony.

The host held the microphone, his voice filled with excitement.

"And the winner of the Best Artwork Award goes to—Lily Zhang for her piece, "My Little Kitten"!"

Lily was Sarah's daughter.

The crowd erupted into applause. Sarah walked onto the stage under everyone’s envious gazes, her eyes glistening with tears.

The host handed her the trophy. "Sarah, would you like to say a few words?"

Sarah took the mic, her voice cracking.

"Thank you to the company, thank you to Victoria, and thank you to everyone who loves my daughter's art.

My daughter has leukemia. She... she couldn't make it here today.

I am accepting this award on her behalf."

The crowd went dead silent for a second, and then the applause grew even louder.

The Vice President, Richard, personally walked up to the stage. He handed her a giant prize check and the latest digital drawing iPad.

"Sarah, we are so moved by your daughter's strength. The company has decided to grant an extra medical fund for her treatment," Richard said, shaking her hand. "Work hard, and know that the company always has your back."

Sarah sobbed openly. "Thank you so much... thank you..."

The photographer snapped several pictures of them.

Richard turned to the crowd. "Our company has always been a family. We help those in need.

This is our social responsibility as an enterprise."

Cheering and applause filled the room.

"The company is so wholesome."

"Sarah is amazing. A single mom working so hard."

"That manager Chloe tried to block her painting earlier. So heartless."

I watched them with a cold expression.

"Laugh all you want now. The harder you laugh today, the harder you’ll cry when the original artist shows up."

The day after the gala ended, Victoria and I went to Richard’s office to report on the event.

Richard leaned back in his chair, praising her.

"The gala went great. Especially that story about the sick child. It brought excellent PR for the company."

Victoria smiled and waved her hand. "Oh, it's what anyone would do. I just felt so bad for the kid."

Then, her tone shifted as she glanced at me.

"Unlike some people who have absolutely no empathy!

She fought me tooth and nail to keep that kid's painting out of the center spot. I had to push through a lot of pressure to approve it."

Richard's eyes fell on me. "Chloe, what's this about?"

"Company policy requires all participants to sign an originality waiver," I explained calmly. "Sarah refused to sign, so I refused to give her the prime spot."

"Rules are rules, but we must make exceptions for special cases," Victoria sneered. "The kid is dying, and you're gatekeeping a charity event? If the public found out, we'd look terrible!"

I looked at Richard. "Do you remember what happened to Mark last week? The company lost $15,000 because of plagiarism.

I was just doing my job to protect the company from legal liabilities."

Victoria scoffed. "The gala is already over. What liability?

If it weren't for me, the company would be labeled as heartless by now!"

Richard nodded, looking displeased with me. "Chloe, you need to be flexible. Don't be so rigid."

I didn't argue back.

Richard waved his hand. "Victoria handled this beautifully. Expect a bonus next month.

Chloe, you need to learn from her."

I nodded with a fake smile.

Victoria beamed. As we walked out of the office, she purposely bumped her shoulder against mine.

"See that?" she whispered. "You need a brain to play in the big leagues."