The night before the tender meeting, my own brother suddenly kicked me out of the project team.

"You don't need to attend the tender meeting tomorrow. Give the opportunity to Jenna. I specifically turned down the Wetland Project so I could personally accompany her to the meeting."

I froze. Then I rushed off to argue with him, only to run into my fiancé in the corridor as he handed a USB drive to the intern.

When he saw me, he spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I've already handed the proposal you prepared to Jenna. She'll handle it just fine. You're the CEO's daughter—you don't need this one achievement. Jenna's just an intern. She needs the results more than you do."

The two of them stood on either side of the intern, looking at me like I was nothing. The project I had poured a full month of effort into had just been handed over to someone else to claim.

Just then, I received a message from my father's secretary. 'Ms. Cladwell, the chairman wants you to take over your brother's Wetland Project. If you perform well on this project, you'll become the company's heir.'

Trash or Trial

I stared at my phone screen, still processing the message, when Adrian Cladwell spoke up. "What are you looking at? Don't tell me you're trying to find someone to complain to."

His hands were in his pockets, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Save it. I've already spoken to Dad. He thinks Jenna is more suitable too."

Harvey Grant stood beside Jenna Sterling and nodded along. "Ayla, this has already been decided. Just accept it."

He paused, then added, "Also, don't bother coming to the tender meeting tomorrow. You're no longer part of the project team. You wouldn't even be allowed inside."

I looked at his matter-of-fact expression and suddenly felt as if I no longer recognized him. This man was my fiance, yet standing next to Jenna, he looked more like her partner than mine.

Jenna stood between them, head lowered, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes as she spoke softly. "Ayla… don't blame Adrian and Harvey… It's my fault. Maybe I shouldn't go after all…"

Before she could finish, her eyes had already reddened.

Adrian frowned. "Jenna, don't blame yourself. This is the company's decision. It has nothing to do with you."

Harvey gently reassured her as well. "That's right. Just focus on preparing for the tender meeting. Leave everything else alone."

I ignored Jenna's act and fixed my gaze on Adrian. "You dropped the Wetland Project?"

Adrian froze for a moment, clearly not expecting the question.

"So what if I did? Why keep a piece of trash like that?" His tone was full of disdain. "It's already lost over eight million, and the government's holding it up. Whoever takes it over is doomed. I've been wanting to dump it for a long time."

As if recalling something, he let out a sneer. "Dad told you to take it, didn't he? Figures. You're only good for picking up the projects I don't want. You'd better start thinking about how to patch the holes. Breaking even would already be impressive. Some people really treat other people's trash like treasure."

Harvey looked at me, his expression complicated. "Ayla, you should think carefully about the Wetland Project. It involves too many historical issues. You won't be able to handle it."

"Exactly," Jenna chimed in, her voice soft and sweet. "Ayla, why not let Adrian talk to the chairman and have him assign you a different project? Adrian is going to inherit the company in the future. Of course the chairman will listen to him."

As she spoke, she edged closer to Adrian. "Adrian, don't you think so?"

Adrian patted her shoulder, then looked at me, his eyes filled with mockery. "If you really want to prove yourself, you should start from the basics and work your way up. Don't aim too high. If the project fails, it's the Cladwell family's reputation on the line."

I said nothing.

What they did not know was that the Wetland Project was not a burden at all. It was a test my father had set for me. If I succeeded, I would become the company's heir, and Adrian would be irrelevant.

But there was no need to tell them any of that.

When I finally spoke, my voice was so calm it felt unfamiliar even to me. "If you're done, I'll be leaving. Good luck at tomorrow's tender meeting."

Adrian paused in surprise.

I turned and walked away without looking back.

Behind me, Jenna's voice drifted over. "Is Ayla angry? Did I say something wrong…"

"Don't worry about her," Adrian said impatiently. "She's always like that. She never listens to anyone."

"Ayla…" Harvey called after me, but he did not come after me.

At the corner at the end of the hallway, I slowed my steps and opened the message from the secretary again.

'If you perform well on this project, you'll become the company's heir.'

I locked my phone and slipped it back into my pocket.

A chill settled in my eyes.

They had taken what was mine. I would not just make them return it—I would make them pay for it with everything they had.

While They Celebrate

On the day of the tender meeting, I showed up at the Wetland Project site right on time.

I did not need to check to know how things had gone on Jenna's side. I knew the weight of my own proposal better than anyone.

When my assistant, Celeste Trevelyan, messaged me, I was crouched by the construction site, studying the blueprints.

'Ms. Cladwell, the tender results are out. Jenna got the Cirrus Project. Mr. Cladwell personally went on stage to back her, and Mr. Grant was there too. She stole the spotlight completely. Mr. Cladwell even said Jenna is the backbone of Cladwell Co.'s future.'

I gave a quiet hum, not even lifting my head. It was exactly what I expected.

'Also…' Celeste hesitated for a moment. 'The company group chat has exploded.'

I opened the group chat and was immediately bombarded with messages.

Scrolling up, I saw a photo Jenna had posted from the tender venue. She stood on stage, holding the project file, smiling sweetly. The caption read, 'Thank you, Adrian and Harvey, for trusting me. I'll do my best!'

Adrian had replied to it with a comment, 'This is the kind of talent Cladwell Co. needs.'

Harvey had liked it too.

Beneath that was a flood of praise.

'Jenna really lives up to being a top graduate. She landed a billion-dollar project on her first try.'

'Mr. Cladwell has such a great eye, discovering someone this outstanding.'

'So what if someone worked on it for three months? She still got outdone by an intern!'

'Exactly. Jenna's capable and kind, unlike certain people who think being the CEO's daughter makes them untouchable.'

I read through each message, my finger pausing on the screen.

Another message from Celeste came in, full of indignation. 'They're all opportunists, siding with whoever's winning. Jenna even treated the whole company to afternoon tea to celebrate. Shameless. And the bill was paid by Mr. Cladwell!'

I did not reply. Instead, I opened my social media, posted a photo from the Wetland Project site, and added a caption, 'New project, new starting point. See you in three months.'

At that, I locked my phone and went back to the blueprints.

I had already organized the project's problem list the night before. There were three core issues: the environmental assessment was stalled, the contractors were in dispute, and the funding chain had broken.

For the environmental assessment, I had already contacted an old classmate at the city's Department of Environmental Protection and set up a meeting for the next day. As for the contractors, after reviewing the contracts all night, I had found a loophole that would allow renegotiation.

The funding issue was the trickiest, but it was not impossible to solve.

I pulled out my notebook and wrote down the day's tasks one by one. When I finished, I closed it and stood up.

The project site was desolate. The workers had long since left, leaving only an old gatekeeper behind.

He sized me up, suspicion clear in his eyes. "You're the new person in charge? This project's not easy, young lady. Three project managers have already quit before you."

"I know." I took the keys from his hand. "That's why I'm here."

He shook his head and said nothing more.

…

At two in the afternoon, I met with the contractor in charge. The moment he saw me, his attitude was dismissive. "Ms. Cladwell, it's not that I don't want to cooperate. The project itself has problems. The environmental approval is stuck with the government. We can't even start construction."

I laid the contract loopholes I had compiled in front of him. "I'll handle the environmental approval. But before that, we need to renegotiate the contract price. According to Clause 7, Section 3, your side has committed three breaches. We have the right to demand a price adjustment."

His expression changed.

He clearly had not expected someone who had just taken over the project to have examined the contract in such detail.

The negotiation lasted three hours.

In the end, the contractor agreed to a 15% reduction.

…

At eight that night, I returned to the office. The group chat was still flooded with messages about Jenna.

She had posted photos of the afternoon tea, surrounded by people, smiling brightly. 'I'm so happy today, thank you all for your support!'

Adrian commented below, 'Keep it up. If you do well on the Cirrus Project, you'll be a major contributor.'

Harvey added, 'You have real talent, Jenna. Your future is limitless.'

More praise followed.

'Jenna's amazing. I'm honestly jealous.'

'Mr. Cladwell and Mr. Grant treat her so well. She's practically their precious little sister.'

I ignored it, closed the chat, and opened the environmental assessment documents, continuing my work.

My phone buzzed again. It was Celeste. 'Ms. Cladwell, I heard Mr. Cladwell said in the department group that the Wetland Project is trash. He said your father gave it to you so you wouldn't compete for the inheritance. He even said you're just there to take the blame.'

I looked at the message and let out a faint, casual smile. 'I'm busy. No need to waste time on them.'

Not in the Same League

The news of Jenna officially taking charge of the Cirrus Project spread through the company at lightning speed.

When Celeste sent me screenshots, I was crouched at the construction site, going over the latest quotation with the contractor.

'Ms. Cladwell, Jenna has already added several people into her project team group. They're all close to her. Everyone is congratulating them, saying the Cirrus Project is a billion-dollar cake. Whoever gets in is guaranteed a share.'

I glanced at the screenshot.

Jenna had posted a long message in the group, her tone modest but laced with pride. 'Thank you, Adrian and Harvey, for trusting me, and thank you all for your support. I'll do my best to complete the Cirrus Project and live up to everyone's expectations. I hope for your guidance and cooperation moving forward!'

A stream of replies followed.

'Congratulations, Jenna. Well deserved!'

'Jenna's incredible. Her first independent project and it's already at this scale. Her future's limitless.'

'Mr. Cladwell and Mr. Grant really have an eye for talent. Jenna truly deserves it.'

'Jenna, take me with you. I want to join the Cirrus Project team too!'

I scrolled past without expression.

Adrian posted a message next, his tone openly smug. 'The Wetland Project is garbage. My dad gave it to her because he's already given up on her and doesn't want her competing for the inheritance. Look at the numbers. It's already down more than eight million. Whoever takes it is finished.'

Harvey followed up. 'She's too arrogant. Let her stumble this time. It might teach her something. Some people only learn after they take a loss.'

I let out a quiet scoff and turned back to my work.

…

At three in the afternoon, Adrian showed up with Jenna and Harvey in tow.

The three of them stepped out of the car and stood at the project entrance like executives inspecting a site.

Jenna was dressed head to toe in luxury brands, carrying a limited-edition bag. She looked nothing like the fragile girl she had pretended to be in the hallway before.

Adrian swept his gaze around and let out a derisive laugh. "What can possibly come out of a dump like this? The weeds are taller than people, the equipment's rusted, and there isn't a single worker in sight."

He turned to me, mockery filling his eyes. "Ayla, are you here for the experience? Or just playing house?"

Jenna walked over as well, her voice soft and sugary. "Ayla, do you need help? I can teach you how to run a project."

Tilting her head, she smiled with feigned innocence. "I just secured the Cirrus Project. There are several senior staff members on my team. I could lend you a couple. The Wetland Project is so small, after all. It doesn't need that many people…"

Harvey stood beside her silently, but he was not looking at me. His gaze rested on Jenna, a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

That smile was so jarring it made me nauseous.

"There's no need." I folded up the blueprints, my tone flat. "I can handle it myself. I don't need your help making things worse."

Adrian's expression darkened slightly before he laughed. "You? Alone? In this dump?"

He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Ayla, stop wasting your time. Dad gave you this project to take the fall. You really think he values you? Even if the Wetland Project succeeds, at best you'll break even. The Cirrus Project, on the other hand, is worth tens of billions without even trying. You and Jenna aren't even in the same league."

Jenna immediately put on a sympathetic look. "Adrian, don't say that about Ayla… It hasn't been easy for her either."

At that, she tugged lightly at Harvey's sleeve. "Harvey, don't you think so?"

Harvey finally looked at me. His expression was complicated—guilt, reluctance, but most of all, impatience. "Ayla, listen to me. Just do your best with the Wetland Project, but don't take it too seriously. Some things can't be changed just by trying harder."

I looked at him. This was the same man who had once told me that he would always stay by my side. Now he stood next to another woman, telling me not to take things so seriously.

"Are you done?" I asked. My voice was so calm it sounded foreign even to myself.

Adrian paused.

"If you are, leave. I have deadlines to meet. I don't have time to entertain you." With that, I turned and walked into the project office, closing the door behind me.

Jenna's voice drifted in from outside. "Is Ayla angry? Did I say something wrong again…"

"Don't mind her," Adrian said dismissively. "She won't give up until she hits a wall."

I did not look back.

Back in the office, a message from my father's secretary popped up. 'The chairman said you've been doing very well on the Wetland Project. The project outlook is highly promising. Not only can it recover all losses, it may even turn a profit. Keep it up.'