Chapter 4

Sophia Bennett POV

I was not only Mrs. Whitmore, but also a top-tier simultaneous interpreter in the industry.

Next week, the G7 summit would be held in San Francisco.

As the officially appointed chief interpreter, I had stayed up for half a month straight for this summit, compiling a thick stack of professional terms and background materials.

This was the most important battle of my career.

However, three days before the summit began, the director of the State Department’s Language Services Office suddenly called me into his office.

“Sophia, the higher-ups have decided to replace the chief interpreter for this summit.” The director’s expression was a little awkward, and he avoided my gaze.

I froze. “Replace me? Why? I ranked first in every assessment, and I’ve already finished preparing all the materials.”

“It’s… it’s what Whitmore Group wants.” The director sighed. “Whitmore Group is the biggest sponsor of this summit. Mr. Whitmore personally gave the order and specifically requested that Vanessa Bennett serve as chief interpreter.”

Vanessa?

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.

Vanessa had indeed studied translation in college, but she had not even passed the most basic simultaneous interpretation certification, and she had spent the past three years traveling abroad. How could she possibly handle a summit at this level?

“Director, this is an international summit, not a game! Vanessa has no simultaneous interpretation experience at all. If something goes wrong, the entire industry will be humiliated!” I panicked.

“Mr. Whitmore said he’ll arrange for you to work as a ‘shadow interpreter’ in the backup booth.” Director Miller spread his hands helplessly. “If Vanessa gets stuck, you immediately cut into the channel and translate for her. Publicly, the credit will be hers. If something goes wrong, Whitmore Group will take responsibility.”

All the blood in my body instantly went cold.

Shadow interpreter.

Ethan Whitmore not only wanted to steal my hard work, but also wanted to trample my dignity under his feet and make me like a ghost who could not be seen, serving as Vanessa’s stepping stone!

I rushed straight out of the office and took a cab directly to Whitmore Group headquarters.

Inside the CEO’s office, Ethan Whitmore was looking down and reviewing documents.

With a bang, I pushed open the door and slammed the materials in my hand onto his desk.

“Ethan Whitmore, what gives you the right to replace me?!” My eyes were red, and my chest rose and fell violently.

Ethan did not even lift his head, and his tone was as flat as if he were discussing the weather. “The director should have explained it clearly to you. Vanessa’s dream used to be becoming a simultaneous interpreter. She doesn’t have much time left now, so I have to help her fulfill her dream.”

“Fulfill her dream? By treating an international conference like some make-believe game?” I was so furious I laughed. “She doesn’t have the ability to sit in that position at all!”

“That’s why you’re needed as backup.” Ethan finally raised his head and looked at me coldly. “Sophia, you’re still young. You’ll have plenty of chances to attend summits like this in the future. But Vanessa only has this one chance.”

“I won’t go.” I clenched my teeth, my back straight. “My professional ethics do not allow me to be part of this kind of fraud. If you want to promote her, do whatever you want, but I will never be her ghostwriter!”

Ethan’s gaze darkened instantly, and a dangerous aura spread around him.

He stood up and walked toward me step by step, looking down at me from above.

“Sophia, have you forgotten that your father’s company is still surviving on Whitmore Group’s funding?” Ethan’s voice was extremely low, but every word stabbed into my heart. “If you don’t go, Bennett Group will announce bankruptcy tomorrow. Guess whether your money-obsessed father will be so angry that he drops dead because of you.”

My pupils suddenly contracted, and all the strength in my body seemed to be drained away in an instant.

I looked at the man in front of me in disbelief.

To make Vanessa smile, he was actually using my father’s life’s work to threaten me!

“Ethan Whitmore… you’re truly despicable.” My voice trembled beyond control.

A fleeting emotion flashed through Ethan’s eyes, but it was quickly covered by cruelty.

“Say whatever you want.” He turned around, his back to me. “Nine o’clock Friday morning, report to the backup booth on time. Don’t disappoint me.”