Chapter 2

The room went silent. Everyone stared, wide-eyed, clearly shocked.

They thought I’d snapped—saying crazy things out of anger.

"Ava, you're a key partner here! It's just one project! You've worked too hard to throw this away—think carefully, don't act on impulse!"

Derek, clearly thinking I was blackmailing him, immediately blew up:

"Ava, are you done with this drama?!"

"I say a few things and you throw a fit? Who do you think you are, disrupting everything? I'm the CEO here!"

That was actually funny.

I was practically handing Brianna a golden opportunity on a platter—he should be thrilled!

Having his little favorite replace me completely—wasn't that exactly what Derek wanted?

Brianna clutched the agreement, greed flashing in her eyes, but she put on a reluctant act:

"Ava, are you upset? Is that why you're giving me your partnership?"

"Please don't misunderstand. Derek just wanted me to help you out for the company's sake."

"I never meant to replace you. You're a company veteran—how could a new hire like me become a partner?"

"Everyone knows your hard work and sacrifices. Only you deserve this position, Ava."

With that, Brianna reached out like she was going to return the agreement.

But her hand froze, clearly unwilling to let go of her prize.

I smiled faintly and clarified:

"Of course not! Why would I be upset?"

"You're an overseas talent. Fresh blood for the company? I'm thrilled!"

"With you as partner, I couldn't be more relieved."

Derek gave me a suspicious look, then scoffed:

"Brianna, if Ava's offering, take it. No need to be modest."

"Besides, with your skills, you'd make partner eventually. This isn't about 'deserving'—it's a given."

"Everyone here can witness this."

Brianna stopped pretending. She gripped the agreement tightly, barely hiding her excitement.

Watching her, I laughed coldly to myself.

Derek, too busy fawning over Brianna, had no clue this project was way more complicated than they thought.

I'd worked on it for over a year, and only I had the critical evidence needed to seal the deal.

But they didn't know that evidence hadn't been submitted yet—it was still in my possession.

Without me, that "golden opportunity" they thought they had would turn into a ticking time bomb.

And Brianna clearly had no idea being partner meant real responsibility.

Partners aren't just title—they're on the hook for everything that goes wrong.

The client did pay a $5 million retainer, that's true.

But if we lost, we'd have to refund every cent plus massive damages.

With how cutthroat this industry is, one failure would sink Brianna and the whole company.

Since I'm such a "burden" to them, why bother warning them?

Judgment day was coming for Derek, and I couldn't wait.

Derek, seeing I'd given up both the big case and partnership without argument, actually looked a little guilty.

He cleared his throat, still sounding arrogant:

"Ava, don't just stand there."

"That case is practically done anyway. Today's Brianna's celebration—since you're being reasonable, you can join."

Derek gestured with his chin like he was doing me a huge favor.

I almost laughed out loud.

This case alone had agency fees in the millions.

He cut me out of the bonus entirely, then expects me to be grateful for a free meal?

Besides, sitting across from Brianna would make me lose my appetite.

I was about to say no when Brianna's sickly sweet voice piped up:

"Ava, we ordered before you arrived, and I forgot to save you a seat."

"My mistake entirely! You take my chair, Ava. I twisted my ankle earlier, but that's no excuse for my carelessness."

"I'll just grab a stool in the corner. Anyone want drinks? I'll go get them."

Classic Brianna—playing victim to test Derek's loyalty.

Predictably, Derek panicked when he heard about her injury, immediately ordering her to sit:

"Brianna, you've done enough for this company!"

"You just landed this huge case. Someone with your talent shouldn't be fetching drinks."

He turned to me, voice dripping with contempt:

"What are you standing around for? No common sense after all these years here."

"Go get the drinks, or don't bother coming to dinner."

Derek's double standards were laughable.

Derek always did this—yell first, then pretend to be generous.

I'd worked nonstop for years, and company dinners were never for me.

Like I was dying to crash their little party.

Brianna looked even more smug, barely hiding her smile. She tried to sound polite, but it was pure gloating:

"Ava, I'm so sorry—my ankle's really bothering me. Thanks for grabbing the drinks."

"I'll make sure to toast you properly later..."

Before she could finish, I laughed coldly and kicked the chair out from under her.