Chapter 1

I wasn't even invited to the company's annual party, while every colleague at the event walked away with a Mercedes.

I was stopped right outside the security booth, not even allowed through the door.

The HR lady scattered my personal stuff all over the floor.

"This project has nothing to do with you anymore," she said coldly.

I nodded, turned off my work phone, and booked a flight to Arcwood to enjoy the snow.

For five days straight, the whole company was in a frenzy looking for me. Not a single person could seal that 1.5 billion dollar contract.

When I finally got back to the office, the whole place was locked down.

The boss's eyes were bloodshot. He begged me to go meet with the client.

I pulled out my offer letter and gave him a smug smile. "Oops, looks like I'm working for the client now," I said.

*****

The December wind was like a knife, slicing right through her.

I tightened my coat around myself, standing outside the golden archway of "Starlight Night."

It was the company's annual party. The theme was "Starlight Night," and everyone had received a fancy gold-embossed invitation.

Everyone except me, Diana Clayton.

The security guard blocked me, his gaze cold and routine, sizing me up with impersonal scrutiny.

"Could you please show your invitation, ma'am?" he said.

I glanced inside at the glittering crowd, the swirl of designer dresses and clinking glasses, and felt my heart sink deeper with every moment.

"I'm Diana Clayton from the marketing department. Maybe... HR missed me when they sent out the invites," I said.

Even I couldn't believe that excuse.

The guard picked up his walkie-talkie and murmured a few words.

Soon, Barbara Rush, the HR manager, stormed out in her high heels, visibly annoyed.

Right behind her was Randy Hartley, my direct superior and the marketing director.

When Randy saw me, his gaze darted away, avoiding my eyes.

Barbara, on the other hand, looked at me like I was dirt. Her brows were tightly knit.

"Diana? Why are you here?" Barbara sneered. Her voice was quiet but cold.

"Barbara, today's the company party..." I said.

"What does the party have to do with you?" Barbara cut her off, a mocking smile curling on her lips.

"You're fired. Didn't you get the memo?" Barbara's words were laced with icy sarcasm.

I was frozen in place, unable to move.

Fired? My mind was a total blank.

I had busted my ass for this company for three years. And just last month, I was pulling all-nighters for the 1.5 billion Innova Tech project.

Randy had told me straight up that if the deal went through, I would be the MVP.

But I was fired?

Barbara looked like she was savoring every second of my shock.

She snapped her fingers, and a security guard hauled a cardboard box out of the security booth.

With a loud bang, the box hit the ground at my feet.

Its contents spilled everywhere. My water bottle, my notebook, and even half a pack of cookies I hadn't finished. They were dumped there like garbage.

"Your personal stuff. Take it," Barbara said.

Barbara looked down at me, like I was nothing but a stray dog.

"From now on, this deal is none of your business," she said.

She meant the 1.5 billion dollar Innova Tech project.

I realized what was really going on.

The project was a success, and now it was time to divvy up the spoils.

But I, the biggest contributor, got kicked to the curb.

Inside the party, thunderous applause and excited cheers suddenly erupted.

I glanced up at the massive screen, where the winners' names were rolling by.

"Congratulations to Kurt Ross of the Sales Department! You've just won a Mercedes C-Class!"

"Congratulations to Tristan Norris of the Tech Department! You've just won a Mercedes C-Class!"

Every single name meant another Mercedes handed out.

My colleagues went wild, hugging each other and celebrating their luck.

Meanwhile, I was left standing outside, barred from even entering the party.

Randy finally spoke, his voice tinged with insincere regret. "Diana, this is the company's call. My hands are tied. You... Take care of yourself."

He couldn't meet my gaze.

I shot a look at Randy, then at Barbara.

I stared past them at the celebration behind, one I would never be a part of.

Inside, something finally broke. The last string holding her together snapped.

I didn't cry or throw a fit.

I just quietly crouched down and picked up my things, one by one.

I grabbed the pen I had used to sign countless contracts.

I picked up the notebook packed with all my client notes.

And finally, I took the mug bearing the company logo.

I stood up and walked over to the trash can.

With a sharp clang, the mug landed inside.

I threw the company mug away, not even looking back.

Then, I took out my company phone.

With them watching, I shut it down right in their faces.

"Diana, you..." Randy wanted to say something, but I ignored him.

With the box in my arms, I turned and stepped out into the freezing wind.

I didn't look back.

Right then, I just wanted to get out of this city.

I needed to disappear somewhere nobody knew my name. Arcwood sounded perfect.

I wanted to lose myself in a snowstorm, let it cover everything.

I pulled out my personal phone and opened the flight booking app.

The next flight to Arcwood was leaving in two hours.

I hit confirm without a second thought.

A news notification popped up on her screen.

It said, "Summit Group and Innova Tech have reached a 1.5 billion dollar strategic partnership. The signing ceremony will take place in five days."

Summit Group was my company.

I couldn't help but laugh.

My laughter was so close to tears, I almost broke down right there.

Randy, Barbara, and that boss who never bothered to show his face, did you really think anyone could sign this deal?'

William Dalton, the CEO of Innova Tech, was a legendary eccentric.

He only dealt with me. Without my signature, that 1.5 billion dollar contract was nothing but a worthless piece of paper.

With the box in her arms, I flagged down a taxi.

"Airport, please," I told the driver.

The car pulled away, the city's neon lights blurring and disappearing in the rearview mirror.

I looked out the window, pulled out my phone, and shot a message to William.

Me: [Mr. Dalton, just letting you know I've left Summit Group. I'm heading to Arcwood for a little vacation.]

Me: [Summit Group will have someone else follow up with you about the partnership.]

I tapped send.

Her phone buzzed almost instantly.

William's reply was short. [I'll wait.]

I turned off my phone, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes.

The real game had begun.

The snow in Arcwood was way heavier than I ever imagined.