Chapter 4

The most important stuff was all in my hands.

Todd knew it.

That was exactly why he dared to use it against me.

He thought I would back down for the sake of my hard work and my future career.

But he was dead wrong.

I opened my email box.

The divorce lawyer's reply had arrived.

Bryson Gallegos was one of the top lawyers in the field.

In his email, he gave me some expert advice.

First, the house was clearly mine before we got married, so Todd had no right to split it.

Second, for the assets we got after marriage, like the car and our savings, we'd have to divide them. But the law would tend to side with whoever was not at fault.

Todd drove me out of our home, and he tended to domestic emotional abuse. These were all pieces of evidence that go against him.

Third, about the Southside development project. That was our shared professional project. If the divorce messed it up, it'd hurt both of us. Bryson advised me to handle the situation level-headedly.

Handle the situation level-headedly?

I'd stay level-headed, of course.

This calm of mine was not surrender.

It was all about fighting back.

I opened up the proposal files for the Southside development project.

There were two versions.

One was the final version. I had already finished ninety-nine percent of it, with only the final quote calculation left to do.

The other was a draft, with a few hidden logic traps and intentional data errors I had slipped in on purpose.

That was my style. I always had a backup and always stayed sharp.

Looking at those two files, an idea was already brewing in my head.

I copied the flawed draft version.

Then I spent half an hour fixing about half of them.

Now it looked like something thrown together in a hurry, but generally fine.

After that, I sent this version to Todd.

In the body of the email, I wrote just one sentence. [Here's the proposal. We're even now.]

After sending the email, I shut down my laptop.

I walked over to the window and watched the traffic and crowds below.

Todd, you wanted what I had worked so hard for?

Alright, I gave it to you.

But you had to have what it takes to hold onto it.

My phone buzzed.

It was Warren Lott, my boss.

I picked up.

"Ashlyn, I heard you and Todd are having some issues?" Warren asked friendly.

"Mr. Lott, it's just a personal matter," I replied.

Warren said, "Personal stuff is one thing, but the Southside development project is business. You know how important this is.

"Todd just called me and said you sent him the proposal. But he wants you to come back to the office tomorrow and finish up the last bit together. What do you think?"

Todd moved fast.

He was trying to have Warren lean on me.

He wanted me to come back to the office and swallow my pride in front of everyone.

I said, "Mr. Lott, I'm sorry. I haven't been feeling well lately, so I need to take a few days off.

"I've already finished the most important parts of the proposal. Since Todd is the project lead, I trust he can handle the rest just fine."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Warren said, "Ashlyn, don't talk like that. I know you've been through a lot, but work is important. Listen to me. Don't gamble with your own future."

"Mr. Lott, I'm dead serious. If the company thinks I'm not up to it, you can always get someone else."

With that, I hung up.

I knew I was taking a huge risk.

I could end up pissing off Warren, maybe even get fired for it.

But I also knew I couldn't back down.

If I gave in now, Todd would walk all over me.

He'd crush me and make sure I'd never rise again.

I was betting everything on myself.

I was betting the company needed my proposal more than they realized.

I was betting Todd, that clueless fool, wouldn't have a clue about the traps I left in the proposal.

That night, I slept so well.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by the urgent ringing of the doorbell.

I looked through the peephole.

It was Todd.

And Daisy was there, too.

They actually managed to find me here.

I wasn't about to open the door.

Todd shouted from outside, "Ashlyn, open the door! I know you're in there."

He sounded furious.

"Ashlyn, please open the door. Let's talk this through. Todd's really worried about you," Daisy called out.

Daisy's voice was still as delicate and fake as ever.

I leaned against the door, scoffing quietly.

Worried about me?

He only cared about his project and his own future.

The knocking grew louder and more frantic.

Todd yelled, "Ashlyn, don't push your luck! You really think you can just hide? Are you just going to ignore the company's project? Mr. Lott is pissed."

I grabbed my phone and turned on the voice recorder.

Then I called the property management office. "Hello, is this the property management office? I live in Unit 702.

"There are people causing trouble at my door, and they're seriously disturbing me. Could you send someone over to take care of it?"

After hanging up the phone, I kept listening to the shouting and swearing outside.

The words they yelled were utterly vile.

But I felt completely calm inside.

It was like listening to two strangers putting on a show.

A few minutes later, I heard the security guard's voice outside.

"What are you doing here? Why are you making such a scene?" the guard asked.

"This is a family matter, so mind your own business," Todd said, his tone full of attitude.