Chapter 1

At the company’s annual corporate gala, Tiffany, the HR Director, quietly slipped a document into my hand.

"Sign this, Chloe, and you’ll be placed in the group's High-Potential Talent Pool."

I glanced down at the title: "Voluntary Waiver of Severance Pay and Annual Bonus".

A smirk crept onto my face.

In my previous life, on this exact day, I slapped this very document across Tiffany’s face in front of the entire company, calling her a corporate lapdog.

The next day, I was locked inside a supply closet. My phone was smashed to pieces, and my university diploma was torn to shreds.

An HR notice went up on the bulletin board: "Terminated for Gross Misconduct. Ineligible for Rehire."

My supervisor, Jason, had his arm wrapped around the new intern, flashing me the middle finger through the glass partition.

"Thought you knew labor laws, huh? Go file an arbitration complaint! Let's see who gives a damn!"

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the deafening roar of the annual gala. Glasses clinked all around me.

Tiffany smiled sweetly at me. "Chloe, the company is giving you such an incredible opportunity. You wouldn't turn it down, would you?"

I picked up the pen and, right under her expectant gaze, signed my name with a flourish.

"Whatever you say, Tiffany."

I couldn't wait to see who this "voluntary" waiver would end up sending to federal prison.

"Good girl, Chloe."

Tiffany slid the signed waiver back into her leather folder and patted my shoulder. Her touch was gentle, like that of a doting aunt.

"You know how things are right now. The economy is terrible, and tech layoffs are hitting everyone. But I’ve always seen potential in you. I fought tooth and nail with the VP to get you this spot on the fast-track list."

She scanned the packed banquet hall, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Once you're in the talent pool, no round of layoffs can touch you. Next year's leadership promotions will come straight from this list."

I held my glass of red wine, wearing an expression of perfectly practiced flattery.

In my past life, I had sat right here, listening to the exact same pitch.

Back then, I was too naive.

I had jumped to my feet, pointed my finger right in her face, made twenty photocopies of the waiver, and scattered them across the gala like confetti.

"This isn't a talent pool! It's an illegal trap forcing us to give up our severance and bonuses! Once you sign, they can fire you whenever they want without paying a single dime!"

The entire ballroom had gone dead silent.

Then, faint applause started to ripple through the room.

It wasn't for me. It was for Tiffany.

Tears welled up in Tiffany's eyes, her voice breaking. "Chloe, I treated you like my own sister, and you stand there defaming the company... defaming me..."

Jason, my supervisor, was the first to jump up. "Chloe, you’ve crossed the line! Tiffany fought for every perk we have! Where’s your damn gratitude?"

The VP smashed his glass on the floor, and security dragged me out into the cold.

I became the company's laughingstock, and an enemy to everyone.

The next morning, I was called into HR.

Tiffany handed me a "Notice of Severe Misconduct", citing "spreading malicious falsehoods in public and severely damaging corporate reputation."

I tried to meet the CEO, but he wouldn't see me. I called the labor board, and they told me it would take sixty business days just to process the complaint.

Then, I was cornered in the underground parking garage.

"Think you’re smart? Think you’re some legal expert?" Jason stomped on my company badge, crushing it into plastic shards.

"You dare come for Tiffany? Who the hell do you think you are?"

A few thugs closed in, their fists and boots raining down on me. I curled on the cold concrete, listening to the sickening crack of my own ribs.

In the end, security dumped me outside the corporate gates. I didn't even get a verification letter of employment.

"Chloe? What are you daydreaming about?" Tiffany’s voice pulled me back to reality.

"Nothing, Tiffany." I took a delicate sip of wine. "I'm just so moved. I feel like crying."

Tiffany gave a satisfied nod, turned, walked up onto the main stage, and tapped the microphone.

"Everyone, may I have your attention, please? Since we're all gathered here tonight, I have some wonderful news to announce."

She held up the black folder.

"To navigate this tough market, our leadership has launched the 'High-Potential Leadership Fast-Track.' After rigorous evaluation, the first cohort has officially been selected."

A dozen names flashed across the massive projector screen.

My name sat right at the very top.

Polite applause rippled across the ballroom.

At the next table, Jason gave me a thumbs-up, wearing a smug, knowing grin.

"Way to go, Chloe!"

"Yeah, Chloe, once you become an executive, don't forget us little people in the trenches."

Sabrina, our team's junior designer, poked at her appetizer and sneered sarcastically.

In my past life, she was the first person to charge into that supply closet and snatch my phone away.