Chapter 4

When no one else was around, Vanessa tugged at Derek's sleeve, pouting.

"Derek, let me go alone this time. I can handle it!"

[As if I'd let Serena come. What if she steals my credit?]

Derek looked conflicted.

After all, I was the one who'd always dealt with Mr. Morrison.

"Don't worry, Derek. I've already familiarized myself with all of Division One's projects. This deal is guaranteed to go smoothly!"

"Besides, Serena couldn't even handle a simple printing task today. She'd only embarrass the company at the event!"

She turned to me with a sweet smile. "Right, Serena? You're not going to shamelessly tag along, are you?"

I smiled back and slowly pulled out an invitation from my pocket.

"Well, Mr. Morrison already sent me a personal invitation. It would be rude not to go."

Vanessa's face froze. She couldn't believe it.

"That's impossible... That invitation was sent to the company!"

I opened the invitation and showed her the inside.

It clearly read: Invitee: Serena.

"I'm not going as a company representative. I'm going as myself. Any other questions?"

Vanessa clenched her teeth.

[That bitch! How did she get a personal invitation to the event!]

Derek cleared his throat. "Then we'll split up. Division One will represent the company at the event."

I turned and left.

Over the next two days, I dug out all my old meeting notes with Mr. Morrison.

I prepared meticulously for the negotiation.

I knew exactly how much Vanessa was worth.

I couldn't let her destroy the client relationship I'd carefully cultivated.

The day of the event arrived. Mr. Morrison warmly welcomed me and even arranged a private lounge for me.

Shortly after, Vanessa and Derek arrived with a few key team members from Division One.

They approached Mr. Morrison with smiles and toasts.

I stayed quiet in the background.

Vanessa shot me a gleeful look.

[She's like a pathetic little rat! Without Derek, she's nothing!]

I smirked and picked up a glass of red wine, walking straight toward her.

As I passed by, I "accidentally" stumbled, splashing wine all over her dress.

Vanessa shrieked.

"Serena, are you insane? This is designer! Can you even afford to replace it?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

I made a show of trying to wipe it off.

Derek instinctively steadied Vanessa and snapped at me.

"Serena! Since when are you this careless? Don't you know how important tonight is for the company?"

"Are you trying to sabotage Vanessa's pitch to Mr. Morrison?"

I calmly offered a solution.

"I have a spare dress in my lounge. Go change—it'll work for now."

Vanessa stormed off, cursing under her breath.

I smiled.

A while later, Derek spotted Vanessa emerging and quickly called her over to meet Mr. Morrison.

"Mr. Morrison only has thirty minutes for us."

Vanessa nodded and began her pitch with a smile.

I watched from a distance.

She started squirming, pressing her thighs together. Her face grew increasingly strained.

Even her speech became halting and confused.

Her voice echoed in my mind again:

[Ah! It burns down there!]