Chapter 1 · Every Fight Between Us Led to Falling in Love

Chapter 1

I got used to putting on a brave face.

I'd smile and say everything was okay.

But only I knew how I really felt.

Sometimes, out of nowhere, the sadness would hit and break down all my walls.

*****

The bidding for the Starlight Initiative was steeped in intense rivalry.

As the newly appointed manager of Market Department's Team B, I felt ready for anything.

I'd pulled seven all-nighters to put this proposal together.

When I reached the last slide, I gave a slight bow. "That's my presentation, thanks."

There was a smattering of applause in the conference room.

I turned to look at the main seat. Gavin Chambers, the group's deputy general manager, wore a calm expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Ms. Sullivan's proposal is bold and creative." Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the silence.

I turned to see. It was Lucas Grant.

He was the head of Market Department's Team A, a legend in the company, and my arch-nemesis.

He wore a simple white shirt, leaned back in his chair with an easy confidence, his fingers absent-mindedly drumming on the table.

It sounded like a compliment, but I could clearly catch the rivalry simmering beneath his words.

"But—" He opened his mouth again.

My suspicion was correct.

Lucas got up, walked to the screen, and grabbed the laser pointer.

The beam pointed directly at the budget slide in my presentation. "Ms. Sullivan, are you actually serious about this budget?"

The Starlight Initiative was all about integrating online and offline strategies, so it made sense that most of the budget was allocated to channel promotion and celebrity endorsements.

"What's the problem?" I met his gaze head-on.

He laughed faintly, yet his eyes remained cold. "There's a big problem.

"The digital ad spend you estimated is based on rates from three months ago. Those numbers have gone up by at least thirty percent now.

"And about the endorsement? You chose an up-and-coming actor who was hit with a scandal last week. Brands are scrambling to avoid him, and you want to take that risk?"

His words were like knives, every one cutting right to the heart of my proposal.

Whispers filled the conference room.

My cheeks grew hot.

I had considered these problems, and I was taking a gamble, hoping I could fix things on the fly.

But being laid bare by him like this in public put my professionalism under unprecedented doubt.

"Mr. Grant's feedback is fair and constructive," Gavin finally spoke up and made the final call. "Peyton, your proposal needs to be refined."

My heart sank to the bottom.

"As for Lucas," Gavin paused and continued, "I've looked over your proposal. You're playing it too safe. There's nothing that really grabs attention."

I glanced up in surprise, and Lucas looked a little caught off guard, too.

"Peyton, you are too bold, while Lucas, you are too conservative." Gavin tapped his fingers on the table. "Alright, let's put the Starlight Initiative on hold for now. Next week, there's an urgent project with Skyline Tech.

"Your two departments will work together to land it. Think of it as a chance to get used to working together.

"Whoever takes the lead and delivers the best results for the company will get the Starlight Initiative."

What? Lucas and I worked together?

Our eyes locked, and neither could hide the immense reluctance in their gaze.

As soon as the meeting ended, I grabbed my laptop and bolted out of the conference room first.

My heels clicked angrily against the floor, each step echoing my frustration.

"Wait, Peyton," Lucas called out behind me.

I didn't slow down for a second.

"What's the rush? Afraid I'm going to beat you?" Lucas quickly caught up and fell in step beside me.

"I've got nothing to say to you," I said, my voice icy.

"At 7 PM, in my office, we're discussing the plan of the Skyline Tech project." Lucas made it clear he wasn't asking. He was ordering.

"Why do I have to go to your office?"

"My coffee machine's way better."

He tossed that out and headed straight for his office.

I stood there, so furious that I was honestly tempted to chuck my laptop across the hallway.

Chapter 1

I got used to putting on a brave face.

I'd smile and say everything was okay.

But only I knew how I really felt.

Sometimes, out of nowhere, the sadness would hit and break down all my walls.

*****

The bidding for the Starlight Initiative was steeped in intense rivalry.

As the newly appointed manager of Market Department's Team B, I felt ready for anything.

I'd pulled seven all-nighters to put this proposal together.

When I reached the last slide, I gave a slight bow. "That's my presentation, thanks."

There was a smattering of applause in the conference room.

I turned to look at the main seat. Gavin Chambers, the group's deputy general manager, wore a calm expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Ms. Sullivan's proposal is bold and creative." Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the silence.

I turned to see. It was Lucas Grant.

He was the head of Market Department's Team A, a legend in the company, and my arch-nemesis.

He wore a simple white shirt, leaned back in his chair with an easy confidence, his fingers absent-mindedly drumming on the table.

It sounded like a compliment, but I could clearly catch the rivalry simmering beneath his words.

"But—" He opened his mouth again.

My suspicion was correct.

Lucas got up, walked to the screen, and grabbed the laser pointer.

The beam pointed directly at the budget slide in my presentation. "Ms. Sullivan, are you actually serious about this budget?"

The Starlight Initiative was all about integrating online and offline strategies, so it made sense that most of the budget was allocated to channel promotion and celebrity endorsements.

"What's the problem?" I met his gaze head-on.

He laughed faintly, yet his eyes remained cold. "There's a big problem.

"The digital ad spend you estimated is based on rates from three months ago. Those numbers have gone up by at least thirty percent now.

"And about the endorsement? You chose an up-and-coming actor who was hit with a scandal last week. Brands are scrambling to avoid him, and you want to take that risk?"

His words were like knives, every one cutting right to the heart of my proposal.

Whispers filled the conference room.

My cheeks grew hot.

I had considered these problems, and I was taking a gamble, hoping I could fix things on the fly.

But being laid bare by him like this in public put my professionalism under unprecedented doubt.

"Mr. Grant's feedback is fair and constructive," Gavin finally spoke up and made the final call. "Peyton, your proposal needs to be refined."

My heart sank to the bottom.

"As for Lucas," Gavin paused and continued, "I've looked over your proposal. You're playing it too safe. There's nothing that really grabs attention."

I glanced up in surprise, and Lucas looked a little caught off guard, too.

"Your two departments will work together to land it. Think of it as a chance to get used to working together.

"Whoever takes the lead and delivers the best results for the company will get the Starlight Initiative."

What? Lucas and I worked together?

Our eyes locked, and neither could hide the immense reluctance in their gaze.

As soon as the meeting ended, I grabbed my laptop and bolted out of the conference room first.

My heels clicked angrily against the floor, each step echoing my frustration.

"Wait, Peyton," Lucas called out behind me.

I didn't slow down for a second.

"What's the rush? Afraid I'm going to beat you?" Lucas quickly caught up and fell in step beside me.

"I've got nothing to say to you," I said, my voice icy.

"At 7 PM, in my office, we're discussing the plan of the Skyline Tech project." Lucas made it clear he wasn't asking. He was ordering.

"Why do I have to go to your office?"

"My coffee machine's way better."

He tossed that out and headed straight for his office.

I stood there, so furious that I was honestly tempted to chuck my laptop across the hallway.