Chapter 2

Liam Davies invited the CEO of StarCorp Group to a gala at an elite club.

As the key project manager, I was also invited to attend.

But to my surprise, Chloe Miller was there too.

She was wearing an inappropriately short dress, clinging sweetly to Liam.

As I was discussing project details, Liam nodded in agreement.

Chloe probably felt ignored, so she interjected with a syrupy sweet voice,

“Harper is so impressive! She can help Liam close such a huge deal.”

“You didn't happen to get it by flashing your assets at the boss's house, did you? Thank you for sacrificing so much for our company.”

The moment she finished speaking, the private room fell silent.

I calmly replied, “Chloe, you're joking. This project's progress is thanks to Mr. Davies' and the other CEOs' decisive judgment, as well as our team's professional proposal.”

Chloe flashed a suggestive smirk, “I don't believe it! Harper is so good at everything, her skills in bed must be just as impressive, right?”

She was making explicit jokes without any inhibition, which wasn't just childish, it was utterly foolish!

Liam's brows furrowed. “Chloe, stop messing around.”

She playfully stomped her foot, then picked up a glass and held it out to me,

“Liam, do you like her? You're defending her so much!”

As she spoke, she "accidentally" fumbled, spilling the entire contents of the glass down my front.

The chilled liquid instantly soaked through my dress, revealing the blurred outlines beneath.

She gasped dramatically, her malicious smirk barely suppressed,

“Harper, I'm so clumsy, I'm really sorry.”

“Anyway, you're going to be entertaining guests with drinks later, so a little wetness just livens things up, right?”

Her sarcasm and slander, dripping from every word, were especially grating, as if I were some kind of hostess for hire.

Everyone thought Liam and I were more than friends, but not quite lovers.

But only I knew that I truly considered him a trusted companion, someone I could depend on.

I had pulled all-nighters for months when the company's cash flow was tight, drinking until my stomach bled to secure an investment.

And he had once traveled against the crowd into an earthquake zone to find me when I was on a business trip.

Even my dad was surprised that someone as naturally suspicious as me could trust another person so completely.

But now, he hadn't once stopped Chloe's disgraceful antics.

I looked down at the mess on my chest, my gaze turning icy.

A few of the partners stepped in to smooth things over,

“Chloe, that joke went too far. Harper is a crucial business partner, not a hostess.”

“Mr. Davies, your company's people need to be reined in.”

“Harper is a talent we'd kill to poach, Mr. Davies. You should really appreciate her.”

Chloe's expected mockery didn't materialize; instead, everyone acknowledged my professionalism.

I met Chloe's gaze, chuckling softly,

“Since you're so eager to drink, Chloe, I'm happy to oblige.”

Her face instantly fell.