Chapter 5

This tactic of making an example worked immediately.

Colleagues who had just been mocking the supervisor instantly changed their expressions.

Several female colleagues who had always been jealous of me were the first to jump out.

"How vicious! Your own hands aren't clean, yet you want to drag the supervisor down with you!"

"Exactly! Always making jokes about women's reputations—her heart is truly wicked!"

"An educated woman? I think she hates women! She wishes all women would rely on men like she does! She's the typical man-pleaser who hates women!"

I couldn't be bothered with those buzzing behind me.

I picked up my personal computer and contract and left to sign that thirty-million-dollar deal.

The process was exceptionally smooth. The client representative even reassured me.

"Miss Jane, although we've heard some rumors, we absolutely recognize your professional ability and project proposal. Looking forward to our cooperation."

On the way back to the company, I called my dad.

"Dad, mission accomplished. The cumulative amount exceeded a hundred million long ago. You should honor your agreement and prepare for the handover, right?"

His gratified laughter came through the phone. "Haha! As expected of my daughter! Dad keeps his word!"

I paused, then asked out of the blue. "Dad, you've never betrayed Mom, have you?"

My dad's voice immediately rose eight octaves, full of survival instinct.

"How could that be possible! Heaven and earth as my witness, I've only loved your mother my whole life! Sweetheart, who's been feeding you nonsense?"

"Never mind." I hung up the phone, a cold smile forming at the corner of my mouth.

As soon as I returned to my workstation, I heard Miranda being surrounded by a group of people.

"At the company restructuring meeting in a few days, I'll probably be taking the general manager position." She pretended to be modest as she brushed her hair.

"I remember everyone who's been good to me. You'll all benefit in the future."

Immediately, a chorus of flattery rose around her.

"Miranda is amazing! This is real advancement based on ability, not relying on men!"

"Exactly! So much better than certain people who use underhanded methods!"

"From now on, we're following Miranda!"

She glanced at me smugly, provocatively.

"What's wrong, Jane? Jealous? Someone like you who relies on men could never reach such a high position."

I ignored her, focusing on preparing my performance report.

Jump all you want. The higher you jump, the harder you'll fall.

Over the next few days, my colleagues found all kinds of ways to sabotage me.

My cup tasted like dish rags, dead cockroaches appeared on my seat from time to time, printed documents disappeared...

I didn't bother with it, just took my laptop and moved to the coffee shop downstairs.

Soon, the day of the election arrived.

I deliberately wore a sharply tailored, high-quality professional dress, with exquisite makeup and a commanding presence.

As soon as I walked through the company entrance, Miranda stopped me.

She looked me up and down, jealousy flashing in her eyes, then put on a stern face.

"Jane! How many times have I told you! Don't come to the company all dressed up like this! Who are you trying to seduce?"

I looked at her, noting that she had also obviously dressed up carefully, and retorted. "Miranda, aren't you also dressed quite formally today?"

She immediately raised her chin, looking superior.

"Me? I'm completely bare-faced! Not like certain people who can only rely on makeup to cover up their ugliness and gild their faces!"

I smiled, and without another word, pulled out a small bottle of makeup remover from my bag and splashed it directly at her face!

Miranda screamed.

The liquid ran down her cheeks. Her carefully drawn eyeliner and mascara instantly smudged, her face turning patches of purple and red, like an overturned palette, utterly disheveled.

"If you're bare-faced, then what's this stuff on your face?"

"Jane! I'll kill you!" She was shaking with rage, lunging at me with claws out, trying to slap me.

The director nearby quickly held her back. "Miranda! Calm down! The meeting's about to start! Quick, go to the restroom and clean up!"

Miranda was dragged away, her resentful eyes almost boring through me.

I straightened my collar and walked toward the top-floor conference room.

Just as I reached the entrance, the receptionist stopped me, her face wearing a formulaic fake smile.

"I'm sorry, Miss Jane. Today's senior management restructuring meeting is invitation-only by name. Your name isn't on the list, so you cannot enter."

Miranda and a few of her followers had also cleaned up and rushed over. Seeing the situation, they immediately mocked.

"Oh my, you actually dared to come?"

"Shameless, aren't you? This is a place you can enter?"

I looked at them and smiled. "How about making another call to confirm with higher-ups?"

The female receptionist's face showed impatience, clearly thinking I was being unreasonable.

She reluctantly picked up the internal phone and walked aside to inquire in a low voice.

A few seconds later, her expression changed dramatically. She ran back, bowed respectfully to me, her voice trembling.

"Miss Jane, please come in! Your seat is at the head table. Please take your seat!"