...

Seeing how confidently I spoke, my colleagues exchanged puzzled glances. Only Mark seemed to catch on, his eyes sparking with realization.

I didn't elaborate; I just moved some office supplies to the outer cubicle. My new assigned spot was in the corner of the hall, right next to the storage room and the restroom.

It was a blatant dig from Adeline, but I didn't care. Her time in the office was running out anyway.

I'd cut her slack for so long because of Elliott, figuring she'd be family one day. Not anymore.

Glancing at my phone, I replayed a video my best friend had sent. It showed Elliott and Cheryl locked in a passionate embrace outside a hotel.

A chill ran through me as I chuckled darkly. "Used me to steady the ship, then kick me overboard once it's smooth sailing? But did you ever think one word from me could sink the whole damn thing?"

I pocketed the phone and fired up my computer, using AI to whip up a sloppy self-criticism email for Adeline. Then I submitted my vacation request.

Without waiting for Elliott's approval, I grabbed my bag and headed out.

Adeline didn't care how half-hearted my self-criticism was; she posted it on the intranet and took the opportunity to mock me.

[Some folks ride the company's coattails to a bit of success and forget their place. Let this be your wake-up call, or end up like her.]

I ignored her sarcasm. Back home, I took a relaxing bath and curled up on the sofa to binge-watch TV shows.

This past year, I'd been running around for the Mason Group, working overtime on proposals and market research like it was routine. Now I finally had time to enjoy this rare leisure time.

In the office, Adeline and Cheryl weren't idle. Cheryl snatched up my client files from Mark, clearly aiming to make a splash.

By 8 a.m. the next day, Adeline started boasting in the chat group: [Congratulations to Cheryl Whitfield for securing a $500K order on her first day! Let's aim for even more success ahead!]

Cheryl chimed in with polished platitudes, the pair hyping each other like they'd closed a multimillion-dollar deal.

Mark messaged me privately: [A $500K order? Even my retail deals are bigger than that. I don't know where they get the nerve to brag in the group.]

I texted back with a laugh: [Hey, a win's a win. Let them bask for now.]

Mark: [When is your move, boss? Can't wait to see them crash and burn.]

Adeline's unpopularity was no secret.

Me: [Patience. Let it build a bit more.]

Holding the trump card, I wasn't in a hurry.

In the following days, Adeline posted several more "victory reports" in the group. Cheryl, leveraging the old clients I'd cultivated, secured multiple renewals totaling $50 million.

They dropped all pretense, constantly shading me in the group and tagging me at every opportunity. Little did they know, every client had looped me in first for approval.

Those deals were greenlit by me, and everything was going according to my plan.

...

[Bessie, do you remember the company rules? This month, your previous performance is deducted. In the remaining three days, if you don't bring in $10 million in deals, pack your things and leave the company.]

Adeline tagged me in the group, making no effort to hide her intentions.

I calmly replied: [Take it easy. Even if you leave, I won't.]

I tossed my phone aside and ignored the flood of notifications. David, who was visiting me, struggled to hold back his laughter.

"What do you think Adeline would react if she knew that bottom-feeder bum turned out to be the Mason Group's biggest supplier?" he said.

I pondered, then chuckled, "It would be quite entertaining."

The Mason Group relied on chips from the Esposito Group to produce products that outperformed competitors by miles while keeping costs incredibly low.

It was thanks to these two advantages that the Masion Group had captured 80% of the market share. Without the Esposito Group as a supplier, they would be finished.

Not only could they no longer produce their superior products, but the $50 million in renewals Cheryl had sealed would become a death sentence. The penalty for breach of contract alone would bankrupt them ten times over.

"Then I'll sit back and watch the show," David smiled.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to the Esposito Group's executives, essentially ordering a complete cutoff of chip supplies to the Mason Group.

Originally, David had come to see me three days ago to renew the contract, but Adeline's outburst derailed it. Now he could terminate it without even paying penalties.

I'd known David forever. In fact, the technology behind the Esposito Group's latest chips was exclusively licensed from me.

It was thanks to me that the near-bankrupt company had revived. David and I had always been on excellent terms, and that was why I'd entertained him with the company meal.

Adeline was stupid enough to peg a billionaire for a bumpkin.

His team quickly carried out his order, and Elliott soon got the termination notice.

He flipped, clueless about how he'd pissed off the key partner. Nevertheless, he didn't dare neglect it; he quickly prepared to head to the Esposito Group with Adeline and Cheryl to negotiate.

En route, Adeline curiously asked, "So, what's this Mr. Esposito like? I've only been at the company for a short time. I've heard of him but never met him. Tell us the details. Maybe Cheryl can help, too. You don't know, but she landed $50 million in orders in just three days."

Elliott glanced at Cheryl in surprise. "She is that capable? Alright, I'll share more info. His full name is David Esposito. He built his business from scratch, so he's quite frugal in his daily life. We..."

He described David in detail, oblivious to Adeline's changing expression. The more he shared, the paler she became.