Chapter 4

"Cassidy! Everyone else is busy revising drawings, where are you? The client has been hounding us all afternoon, are you deaf or blind? Get back here and work overtime immediately! The drawings must be submitted by midnight tonight!" Mr. Sterling roared into the phone.

"Huh? The client didn't call me," I replied calmly. "Besides, with Team Leader Brittany personally on the case, the client will surely be handled with ease. I won't cause any more trouble, I'm just heading home."

"She just started, she's not as familiar with the client's preferences as you are. Get back here now, this is a direct order! Do you even want your year-end bonus?!"

"Year-end bonus? Didn't mine all get given to Brittany? She can help me with the overtime too then."

"Fine, you can forget about getting a single penny!" Mr. Sterling fumed, hanging up.

I casually switched my phone to do not disturb and went to dinner with my best friend, Chloe.

Life without overtime was truly wonderful. I couldn't remember the last time I’d had a proper get-together with friends, all because of work.

This past year, I’d been leaving the office at 9 or 10 PM almost every day, and all-nighters were a common occurrence.

Upper management at the company thought our poor performance was due to insufficient workload.

But the drastic decrease in business wasn't the employees' fault. The operations department wasn't expanding the market, yet they blamed the production department for not having enough work?

Pure corporate genius.

The next day at 9 AM, I clocked in on time, planning to slowly eat my breakfast delivery after.

Absolutely no personal errands during work hours.

Walking into the office, I found my entire team asleep at their desks.

As soon as Dustin saw me, he rushed over like he’d found his savior.

"Cassidy, you're finally here! We couldn't reach you at all last night. We've been revising like crazy, and the client just won't approve anything! Mr. Sterling made us all work overtime and wouldn't let us go home."

I looked at them, remembering the countless nights we’d fought side-by-side to conquer various projects. Yet yesterday, when I was removed from my position, not a single person stood up for me or even offered a word of comfort.

It's hard to find a job these days, and everyone has their difficulties. I understood, but that didn't mean I wasn't bothered.

"Team Leader Brittany is a high-level returnee talent. With her, I’m sure everything will be fine," I said dismissively.

"Of course, with me on the case, it’s a sure thing. Otherwise, why would I be the team leader, and those with less ability just do grunt work?"

Brittany strode in, looking spirited, a stark contrast to her frazzled state from yesterday’s revisions. She didn't even look like she’d pulled an all-nighter.

Up close, she looked refreshed, even a little flirty, better than her usual self.

Mr. Sterling followed close behind, a triumphant look on his face. "Cassidy, I told you young people have stronger abilities and broader ideas. Did you think the client wouldn't approve the drawings without you? Surprise! Brittany handled the client overnight."

I was a little surprised. Last night, Marcus Lee, the project manager, called me late, asking why our company had suddenly changed project leads. I told him the truth, and he said if it affected the project, he would hold our company legally responsible.

Marcus had always been very responsible; it was impossible he’d be so easygoing and just change his mind.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Sterling continued to instruct, "You all continue working today. Brittany already talked to the client yesterday, and they agreed the drawings can be submitted by midnight tonight. Cassidy, I've had someone set up your computer. No more excuses not to revise the drawings, right?"

Oh, so "handling the client" just meant getting one more day to submit the drawings.

"Alright, I'll definitely work diligently on it during my work hours," I readily agreed.

"Good, that's the right attitude. As long as the client is satisfied, once the payment clears this afternoon, I'll even ask finance to give you a few hundred extra for your year-end bonus."

Mr. Sterling and Brittany, seeing my "submission," laughed and walked away.

As Brittany left, she gave Dustin a look, clearly telling him to keep an eye on me.