Chapter 1

In my past life, I won the grand prize of $99,000 at the company's annual party. But my coworker publicly accused me of having an affair with our manager, claiming we had rigged the prize draw.

From then on, I fell into a trap of trying to prove my innocence. Whether it was prize money, project bonuses, or promotion opportunities, I had to give them all up to avoid suspicion.

But my coworkers still weren't satisfied. At a construction site, they pushed me into a deep pit and buried me alive.

Only as I lay dying did I learn the truth - my coworker was the one actually having an affair with our manager. They had conspired to frame me so they could take my position.

Given a second chance at life, I decided to beat them at their own game. At the annual party, I preemptively confessed to dating the manager, announcing we'd been together for a year.

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"Congratulations Rachel! It's year-end and everyone's rushing to submit expense reports. How did yours get approved so quickly?"

"If you've got some secret trick, you can't keep it to yourself. We're all colleagues here - you wouldn't want to see us stressed out over a bit of money, would you?"

Amber tossed an expense report onto my desk, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Before I could defend myself, she continued: "I heard you had dinner with Mr. Blake last night. No wonder your expenses got approved today. Talk about greasing the wheels! What did you treat him to?"

Amber claimed I'd treated the manager to dinner, but her mocking gaze roved over my face and chest, clearly implying I'd used my feminine charms to bribe the boss for preferential treatment.

Everyone in the office was already distracted as the year wound down. Amber's loud voice immediately drew all eyes to me.

"Oh, so that's how it is! I was wondering why Mr. Blake had no plans yesterday but still waited around for Rachel to leave work together. Tsk tsk."

"Rachel, come on. It's not like they won't reimburse us eventually. Why did you have to cut in line?"

"Was it really worth buying dinner just to get reimbursed first? Seems excessive."

Gossip and speculation filled the office. Amber looked increasingly smug.

Seeing me at a loss for words, she assumed I had no defense and started openly spreading rumors.

"Rachel's got quite the sweet deal going. Don't our bonuses, raises, and promotions all depend on Mr. Blake's say-so? I bet Rachel's about to get promoted."

The entire office stared at me intently. Their gazes - eager, fierce, resentful - felt like they could pierce right through me.

But my mind was stuck on memories of my past life.

It had started just like this. Amber inexplicably spread rumors that the manager and I were having an affair. To prove my innocence, I was forced to give up everything I'd earned through my own hard work.

First it was the chance to submit expenses first. Then the grand prize I won at the company party. Finally, a promotion opportunity.

Amber's relentless accusations made her seem like she was championing fairness and justice. In the end, she reaped all the benefits.

I was reassigned from the office to a construction site. While inspecting the work quality there, Amber pushed me into a pit full of steel rebar.

Only in that moment did I realize the truth - Amber was the one actually having an affair with the manager. They had conspired to frame me so they could take my position.

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