Chapter 1 1 The new accountant was a clumsy airhead . On payday , she transferred only one cent to me , causing my mother's medication pay- ment to fail . My mother died . Before I could confront her , she was already sobbing . " I'm sorry ! I sent your salary to that janitor you fired ! " Her husband , the CFO , shielded her . " Not her fault . You should've had emergency funds . " Overcome with grief , I nearly fainted . At the funeral , Scarlett hired a loud lion dance troupe . I screamed at her to leave . She cried , " I just wanted it to be lively ! " I had an asthma attack and reached for my inhaler . She slapped it away , yelling , " That's illegal ! " As I collapsed , I heard her whimper , " I didn't know it was medicine ... " My husband covered for her . " Alana Vance died of grief . " That night , I was cremated unnoticed . When I opened my eyes , I was back on payday . There was only one minute left before the online sale for my mom's medication ended . No time to think . I frantically switched the payment card linked to my account . Ding . Payment successful ! My mother was safe . Tears welled in my eyes . I looked around , my heart pounding . It was real . I was back . I took a deep breath , a storm of fury and sorrow crashing over me . Scarlett and Michael , that wretched pair who had cost me my life . I would make them pay . Just then , a figure stumbled into my office . Scarlett stood before me , bowing timidly . " Ms. Vance , I'm so sorry ! I'm so clumsy , I sent your salary to Mrs. Gable ! " " She's a single mom . Life must be so hard for her after you fired her . Please , can't we just let her keep it ? " she pleaded , her eyes wide and innocent as she tugged on my sleeve . I let out a sharp , humorless laugh and shoved her hand away . " Let's get one thing straight . Mrs. Gable and I are both victims here . " " The person responsible for this mess is you . You'd better fix it , and fix it fast . Otherwise , I'm reporting this to upper management . " I had just closed a huge deal last month . My commission was at least a hundred thousand dollars . Scarlett's face went white . She saw me pull out my phone and lunged for it . " Ms. Vance , you earn so much ! Can't you just consider it charity ? " My salary was the money I worked myself to the bone for , money to save my mother's life . The thought made my teeth ache with hatred for this woman . I pushed her away without hesitation . I didn't use much force , but she let out a piercing scream . Scarlett ? What's wrong ? " 1572 15.12 Chapter 1 Michael , my husband , burst into the room . " Mr. Hayes , I'm so sorry ! I'm so stupid , I made Ms. Vance angry ! " Scarlett sobbed into his chest . His eyes , when they turned to me , were chips of ice . " Alana ! Does bullying a young girl make you feel powerful ? " " Are you that desperate for money ? It's just a hundred grand . I'll transfer it to you , alright ? " A notification chimed , confirming the transfer , but my heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise . When my mother had been rushed to the ER , I had begged him for help with the medical bills . He'd lectured me about keeping our finances separate before marriage . Now , to clean up Scarlett's mess , he didn't even blink . " There's your money . But you scared Scarlett . Apologize to her . " My head snapped up . I couldn't believe what I was hearing . " What did you say ? " Michael's tone grew colder . " You pushed her . You should apologize . " Scarlett tugged at his sleeve . " Michael , it's fine . I'm just a clumsy person . I don't hold grudges , even when I'm bullied . " But Michael took a step forward , his hand clamping onto the back of my neck , forcing my head down . The humiliation ignited a firestorm of rage , burning away all reason : I don't know where the strength came from , but I broke free and slapped him , hard , across the face . " Michael Hayes , are you trying to get fired from your position as CFO ? " Before he could answer , Scarlett shrieked , clutching at him . " She hit him ! Help ! Ms. Vance is assaulting someone ! " I gave a cold smile . " That's right , I hit him . Go on , call the police . " " You two treat company funds like a joke . Let's have the police sort this out . " Scarlett's wailing stopped abruptly . She avoided my gaze , looking guilty . Perhaps my expression was truly terrifying , because Michael's voice softened . " Alana , you know Scarlett has always been a bit ... slow . Mistakes happen . " " Let's not make a scene in front of the other employees . We can discuss this at home . " That wasn't the tune he was singing when he was trying to force me to apologize . I looked at Scarlett cowering behind him and forced a smile . " Really ? But this company doesn't employ idiots . Nor does it employ traitors who sell us out . " At my words , Michael's face flushed a deep , angry red . " What are you talking about ! " He looked flustered for a moment , then puffed out his chest , putting on his executive air . " Alana , if I recall , you have a meeting with Orion Group next week to discuss the next quarter's partnership . " " You should give newcomers like Scarlett more opportunities to learn . Then maybe these mistakes wouldn't happen . " 1 raised an eyebrow . " Fine by me . But just so we're clear , whatever happens is on you . " He looked pleased that I'd agreed so readily . Scarlett practically jumped into his arms with excitement . " Thank you for trusting me , Mr. Hayes ! It's a good thing I'm not on Ms. Vance's team , otherwise , how would I ever grow ? " " Don't mind her , " Michael soothed . " Scarlett , I can see you have great potential , Go for it . " Scarlett's pathetic attempt at a veiled insult was utterly worthless to me . I just smirked and showed them the door . Orion Group was our biggest client . Losing them would cripple our core business . Since Michael had so much faith in Scarlett's abilities , I was happy to let him have his way . This time , without me to clean up her mess , let's see who had the skills to salvage Chapter 1 the disaster she was sure to create . But I had clearly underestimated the depths of human stupidity . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!