For the sake of my two childhood friends, I'd been secretly using my family's resources to support their company. In just three years, it's on the verge of going public.

But on the eve of going public, both of them fell in love with another girl. They even claimed she's the daughter of the richest man.

I was utterly shocked, since when did my mom have another daughter? Only when I saw her did I realize at a glance that she was the vixen my mom slapped twenty times last year.

By chance, I overheard my two friends talking outside the office door. "Compared to Evelyn, Ruby is nothing! The company was able to go public so quickly, all thanks to Evelyn."

I smirked coldly and, right before the company went public, I had my mom withdraw all her investments.

***

"I'm giving you one day to clear out your office for Evelyn." As soon as I hung up the phone, those two childhood friends of mine led in the vixen named Evelyn Landon from outside.

My older friend, Patrick Monterey, spoke coldly, without the slightest hint of consulting me, issuing a direct order.

Meanwhile, his younger brother, Neil Monterey, eagerly led Evelyn to the floor-to-ceiling windows, pointing to the view outside and saying, "This office faces the lake and the view is the best."

When the company was first founded, the two brothers didn't hesitate to give me this office. They even specially bought a comfortable massage chair for me by the windows, so that when I got tired of work, I could sit by the window, drink coffee and enjoy the view.

But for their sake, I'd been working nonstop for three years with no time to rest, finally bringing the company to the verge of going public. I thought I could finally relax for a while. Who would've thought they'd betray me so quickly!

"Why should I give up my office?" I replied coldly, looking at them.

Upon my refusal, Patrick's face instantly darkened. "Why, you still ask? In these three years, what contribution have you made to the company? Do you deserve to keep such a good office?"

Neil's tone was even more heated, "Do you even know Evelyn's background? She's the richest man's daughter and it's all thanks to her that the company is going public! Be sensible, understand?"

I gave a bitter smile and turned my gaze to Evelyn.

She feigned an innocent look and upon seeing me look at her, she immediately put on an act of false humility, saying, "Since this office is taken, just give me any room."

"I'm only helping the company with some connections, I couldn't possibly claim more credit than her." After she spoke, she looked at me, her eyes flashing with a hint of provocation.

I didn't avoid her gaze. I wanted to see her reaction when she found out that the woman who slapped her twenty times last year was my mother. What reaction would she have then?

What disappointed me was Patrick and Neil's attitude. We'd known each other since middle school and had been together for thirteen years.

Aside from my mother, I always considered them the most important people in my life. But now, for the sake of a fake heiress, they were treating me like this!

Patrick said harshly, "Evelyn, you're overthinking. No matter how much she's contributed, it's nothing compared to you batting your eyes at your father."

"In any case, that's final. Ruby, if you have any more objections, then you can start from the bottom! We've been too lenient with you these past three years. You're really taking yourself too seriously!"

Neil's words were like needles, piercing my heart.

"Fine, I'll give her the office." I smiled coldly, not wanting to argue with them in the office.

If they weren't embarrassed, I certainly was. Besides, my mom always taught me never to turn myself into a shrew, no matter what happens.

A woman should be gentle when needed and ruthless when necessary!

Since they were treating Evelyn like a goddess, then I'd tear down their temple when the time came!

"Miss Philips, didn't you say to book three tickets before? Why do you only need one now?" Just then, my phone rang. It was my assistant calling to confirm the tickets to the Maldives were booked.

After handling the company's listing matters, I originally planned to take Neil and Patrick on a vacation to the Maldives. But now, they don't deserve it!

"Yes, just follow my instructions and book it," I replied. In front of Neil and Patrick, I didn't explain anything.

As soon as I hung up, though, Neil chuckled, "Are you making a restaurant reservation? I knew you wouldn't be so clueless, you must be planning a celebration dinner for Evelyn, right? After all, Evelyn helped the company go public. You'll earn quite a bit in the future too."

"To get that money, you'd better behave in front of Evelyn from now on and don't make her unhappy!" Patrick looked at me coldly. "Cancel whatever restaurant you booked. With your taste, what decent place could you choose? Neil and I have already reserved the best revolving restaurant. But you'd better not come tonight, don't embarrass us!"

When I first met these two brothers, they were just kids from an ordinary working-class family, not well-off. So, to fit in with them better, I hid my identity as a rich family's daughter.

Over the years, I never showed even a hint of a spoiled princess attitude. I ate street food with them and wore clothes that cost only a few dozen dollars.

I thought this would make them feel at ease around me, without any psychological burden. But now, they had money and actually thought I was low-class, an embarrassment to them!

I couldn't help but laugh coldly and nodded indifferently. My fondness for them grew colder yet again.

"Alright, clear out the office this afternoon, don't drag it out!" After saying this, Neil and Patrick went to their meeting.

But Evelyn didn't leave. She waited until they were gone, then walked up to me with an air of superiority on her face.

"I heard you're their childhood friend, right? But in front of me, you're nothing," she said.

Seeing her smug expression, I wanted to slap her right then and there. But I clenched my teeth and held back.

Because I wanted this show to be even more dramatic. Since my mom hadn't hit her hard enough last time to teach her a lesson, I'd make sure she learned it well this time!

However, seeing that I didn't respond, she became even more excited and asked, "What's wrong, you don't believe me? Do you think those two childhood friends of yours still have feelings for you?"

"Fine, in the coming days, I'll make you feel what it's like to be heartlessly abandoned by the people you care about most." Leaving these words behind, she laughed smugly and walked away.

In the evening, just as I was preparing to go home, Patrick suddenly called me.

As soon as I picked up the call, he spoke in a commanding tone again, "Evelyn says it's her birthday today. Hurry up and make a cake and bring it to the restaurant later! I'm giving you just an hour, don't be late!" After saying that, he hung up without waiting for me to agree.

As if his command was all it took for me to act on it. In the past, to show my care for them, I had spent a long time learning to bake cakes, just so that every one of their birthdays would be an unforgettable experience. But now, it seemed like all my effort was just a joke.

When I got home, I ignored Patrick's order. I lay on the sofa, watching TV idly.

It wasn't long before Neil came in and seeing that I hadn't made the cake, he pulled me up from the sofa and scolded me, "What's wrong with you! Didn't my brother tell you to hurry up and make the cake? It's Evelyn's birthday today, don't spoil it! Hurry up!"

Then he went into the kitchen, grabbing all the baking tools I'd used to make cakes before and pulled them out all at once. In an instant, he made a mess of the entire kitchen.

"Is she really that important to you two?" Watching him so anxious, I couldn't help but ask.

"Of course! If Evelyn's not important, then who is, you? Stop wasting time! Get on with it! Don't mess things up for us! If we offend Evelyn, none of us will have it easy!" Neil pulled me to the countertop as if he were supervising me.

"So, what exactly am I to you two?" When I asked this, Neil paused for a moment, then sneered. "What are you thinking? These past years, our kindness to you didn't make you think we like you, did it?"

"We only see you as a sister, don't get any ideas! So you don't need to compete with Evelyn for attention, you can't compare to her!" Neil said this to my face without any hesitation, completely disregarding my feelings.

I held back my tears, trying not to let them fall.

Neil continued gathering cake ingredients, muttering to himself beside me, "You've got shares in the company and when it goes public, you'll be a millionaire! Honestly, you're getting off easy! You should be grateful to Evelyn. Without her, you wouldn't have what you do today!"

Haha. They want me to thank her? Treat her well? Fine!

I took a deep breath and forced a smile. They want to eat my cake, right? Then let's see if that little vixen has what it takes.

Once I finished the cake, I quietly piped a '20' in cream on top. The exact number of times my mother slapped her last year!

After placing the cake in a gift box, Neil grabbed it and was about to leave.

But just as he reached the door, his phone rang. He hung up, then looked at me impatiently and said, "Evelyn is just too kind. She said you made the cake for her and she invited you to join us. Hurry up and change, but don't wear anything too flashy, you don't want to steal her spotlight!"

Though I had no intention of going to this gathering, after a moment's thought, I agreed.

While changing, I sent my mom a message. After all, the restaurant they'd reserved was part of my family's business.

So tonight, I decided to give them a little surprise.