That was Keaton's management style: punish hard, reward loudly, and keep everyone fighting to stay on his good side.

I'd gotten used to it.

The second he walked away, the office erupted in whispers.

"Ms. Larsen, I'm so jealous. First the river-view apartment, now limited-edition jewelry? You're seriously winning."

"I know, right?"

Evie soaked up every word.

When her eyes met mine, they gleamed with smug satisfaction.

I looked away.

I had no interest in watching her gloat.

I'd won project after project for Orion Corp, bringing in millions for the company. Everything I'd earned was worth far more than the rewards Evie got handed for free.

None of it mattered to Keaton.

He always chose her.

Whenever I called him out, he'd say Evie reminded him of his late sister, so he couldn't help wanting to look after her.

That was his excuse for everything.

She blew Orion's only shot at partnering with a public company, and he still covered for her, praised her, and rewarded her with a river-view apartment.

When I questioned him, he humiliated me in front of everyone, accused me of having a twisted mind...

Then moved out and froze me out.

My teammates muttered beside me.

"Tessa, why did you give her that flash drive? You spent forever pulling that data from round after round of testing. She's getting it way too easy."

"Exactly. If every new hire cuts corners like Evie, this company is done."

"Mr. Smyth can pretend he doesn't see what you did for this project, but we do."

"Say the word, and we'll get that flash drive back. We're not letting Evie keep it."

"And once she steps into the project lab, I'll make sure she regrets it."

I just shook my head.

They didn't have to do a thing.

Evie would tank the project all on her own.

The second Keaton handed it to her, its fate was sealed.

There was no way someone who'd barely been at the company—and spent most of that time slacking off—could handle a project this big.

This wasn't just signing paperwork.

Keaton's voice cut through the room. "Tessa, what are you waiting for? Pack your stuff and move to the main office. You're not management anymore, so you don't get a private office. You're an entry-level sales rep now. Start acting like one, and quit setting a bad example."

His words were almost funny.

Evie had been at Orion for a few months, and she already had her own private office.

So she deserved one, but I didn't?

His double standard couldn't be louder.

Then I saw the cold look in his eyes.

This wasn't just favoritism anymore.

Keaton had already given Evie his whole heart.

He was the only one still pretending he hadn't.

I was about to fire back when he turned to HR.

"If she refuses to move, make her."

Then he walked straight back to his office.

The second he was gone, Evie's face changed.

She looked me up and down like I was trash.

"Tessa, if you'd handed over the project sooner, you wouldn't be here. I told you from the start Mr. Smyth values me. He tossed you aside ages ago. You're too old to compete with someone like me. It's honestly pathetic."

I ignored her.

She wasn't wrong.

Keaton did value her.

Otherwise, she never would've gotten this arrogant.

I'd barely said a few words to Evie, and Keaton had already rushed to her defense like he was ready to rip me apart for her.

Evie strolled to my desk, dropped into my chair, and lifted her wrist.

The bracelet Keaton had just clasped on her glittered there.

She smiled like she'd won.

"I heard this set's been on your wish list forever, but you never bought it. I mentioned it to Mr. Smyth once, and the next day, he bought the whole thing and gave it to me himself. Guess I'm the one he cares about most."

I said nothing.

Let her enjoy it.

I used to think I knew Keaton.

These past few days proved I'd been giving myself way too much credit.

Maybe in his eyes, there was no room left for this marriage.

Or for me.

Seeing I wouldn't react, she smirked.

"You look like you've never seen real luxury. Admit you're not on my level, and maybe I'll let you get a closer look."

My face went cold.

Keaton and I had been married for years.

We'd built everything we had together.

I treasured our marriage.

Whatever he asked for, I gave without hesitation.

When he wanted half my shares in Orion Corp, I signed them over without a second thought.

To me, family always mattered more than business.

I honestly thought we'd grow old together.

Then Evie showed up.

Just days after Keaton hired her, everything changed.

He grew distant.

Cold.

Every little thing she said became another reason to blame me.

And every time she caused trouble...

He took her side.

Despite everyone pushing back, Keaton insisted she get a private office.

After that, he stopped caring about Orion's best interests.

He let Evie wreck project after project, even when the company's future was on the line.

Then he hid behind "work" while showering her with one perk after another.

I'd spent years at Orion.

I'd never been treated like that.

Did he really think someone who spent all day slacking off could handle a project like this?

What a joke.

When I still didn't react, Evie just smiled.

She pulled out the flash drive and casually tossed it in the air.

I glanced at it coldly.

She had no clue the data on that drive was incomplete.

It still needed rounds of testing before it could be finalized.

The latest version was on my phone.

I just hadn't updated the flash drive yet.

Since Keaton trusted Evie so much and wanted her to prove herself, she clearly didn't need my data.

Wasn't she supposed to be capable?

A small smile touched my lips.

I unlocked my phone and quietly deleted the final data file.

Then I looked at her.

"No thanks. That bracelet fits you perfectly. Don't waste Mr. Smyth's gift. Besides, you won't be wearing that jewelry much longer."

Evie's face twisted.

"Ungrateful."

She stood, kicked my desk, and stormed off.

***

After work, I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice.

I looked up.

Evie was coming down from the company gym with her little squad.

Her face was pure contempt.

"Tessa's nothing. She just met Mr. Smyth before I did. What does she have that I don't? The apartment, the project—I mentioned them once, and Mr. Smyth rushed to give them to me. Tell me, how could she ever compete?"

"Besides, Mr. Smyth told me he's been sick of Tessa for a long time. If they hadn't been married for so many years, he would've divorced her already."

Like she needed proof, Evie pulled up her texts and flashed her phone at everyone.

A new message popped up.

One of the coworkers read it out loud.

"I booked us a table tonight. Dinner?"

Evie smirked.

"See? That's how much Mr. Smyth cares about me. And Tessa thinks she can compete?"

The group instantly started sucking up to her, saying they wanted to stay on her good side from now on.

Surrounded by her little fan club, Evie walked away.

I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms.

Then I packed up my things and walked out of Orion Corp.

***

The second I walked into the living room, I spotted an elegant gift box on the table.

Inside was an expensive ring.

The brand looked familiar.

I froze.

Was this for me?

He was actually willing to spend this much on me?

Usually, the gifts Keaton gave me didn't even cost ten bucks.

A sticky note sat beside the ring.

In Keaton's handwriting, it read:

[You're still the one.]

A bitter laugh escaped me.

I set the note back where I'd found it.

Keaton had always been like this.

As long as I did what he wanted, he'd throw me a reward whenever the mood struck.

This wasn't new.

I'd gotten used to it.

I was about to head upstairs when Keaton came down.

He smiled.

"Do you like it? I had a friend overseas track it down for me. It wasn't cheap."

As he spoke, he picked up the ring and reached for my hand.

I pulled away.

He froze.

A few seconds later, he pulled his hand back and set the ring on the table.

His expression hardened.

Then his voice softened. "I know I made you feel humiliated at the office today, but I didn't have a choice. I'm the CEO. I can't play favorites. I'm doing this for our future... and for Orion's. Can't you help me out? Teach Evie. She's talented. Give her a few months, and she'll bring even more value to the company. She just needs a chance—"

I cut him off.

"Not happening. I won't do it."

He must've thought I was still hung up on the jewelry set he'd given Evie.

After a long pause, he tried again.

"If you'll mentor Evie and help her finish the project, I'll take you to see the Northern Lights. You've always wanted to go. You just never had the time. Say yes, and I'll approve two weeks off."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and booked the trip.

I watched him.

Did he really think I couldn't say no?

The confirmation popped onto the screen.

He smiled and held it out to me.

"I said no."

Keaton's smile vanished.

His face went ice-cold.

"Tessa, say that again. Everything I'm doing is for our future. If you can't understand that, or even think about what's best for us, then you don't need these tickets. I'll give them to Evie. At least she actually cares about the company. You can stay at work and regret it."