Chapter 2

I stood at the villa's entrance, dragging my suitcase behind me. The late-night chill cut through the air, snapping me back to reality.

My phone buzzed. It was my assistant, Chris Vance. "Ms. Jameson, everything's set," he said.

"Got it," I replied.

As I hung up, a black van glided up to me, silent as a shadow. The door slid open, and Chris poked his head out. "Ms. Jameson, hop in."

I slid into the plush seat, letting myself sink into the softness. "Back to the office," I said.

"Got it," Chris replied.

The car glided away from the lavish villa district. I watched the villa shrink in the rearview mirror, turning into a tiny speck before disappearing for good.

I thought, 'Three years of my youth—might as well have fed them to the dogs.'

By the time I made it back to the J-Sense Design office, it was already past midnight.

Chris handed me a steaming cup of coffee. "Ms. Jameson, it's really late. Maybe you should rest for a bit."

I shook my head as I took the coffee. "Anything happening with Charles?"

Chris looked uneasy. "Mr. Foster has frozen all your cards."

My hand holding the coffee didn't even tremble. I saw that coming.

'Charles's need for control was downright twisted,' I thought. 'He figured if he cut off my cash, I'd come running back to him, wagging my tail and begging for scraps.'

Too bad for him, he miscalculated.

"Understood," I replied, taking a sip of coffee. The bitterness jolted me awake. "Send the Starlight Project proposal we've spent half a year on to Mr. Sterling at Nova Group."

Chris was stunned. "Ms. Jameson, the Starlight Project is our trump card for the Foster Group bid. If we hand it over to Mr. Sterling now, what are we supposed to do?"

"Send it," I cut her off, my tone brooking no argument.

Nova Group was Foster Group's arch-nemesis. They'd been at each other's throats for years. And the one thing Charles cared about most was the bid for the Southside project.

Handing the proposal to his biggest rival was my way of telling him that I wasn't some easy target he could push around. Even the meekest rabbit will bite when cornered.

"Got it," Chris said, not daring to ask any more questions. He hurried off to get it done.

I gazed out the window at the city, alive with neon lights, sparkling, vibrant, and full of promise.

I didn't come to this city to play someone's side piece. I've got my own business and my own ambitions.

I thought, 'Charles, it won't be long before you realize exactly what you've lost.'

Early the next morning, my phone was blowing up. It was Charles. I hit decline and blocked his number, no hesitation.

Next up was his assistant, Leon Carter. This time, I answered.

"Ms. Jameson," Leon sounded desperate. "Mr. Foster wants to see you."

"Nope," I said.

"Ms. Jameson, about the Southside bid..." Leon started.

"You should be talking to Mr. Sterling at Nova Group about the project, not me," I cut him off and hung up.

Not long after, there was a knock at the office door. Chris rushed in, looking panicked. "Ms. Jameson, Mr. Foster's here. Downstairs. The security can't stop him."

I raised an eyebrow and set my papers aside. 'That was fast,' I thought. "Let him up."

"But..." Chris hesitated.

"It's fine," I said, giving him a reassuring look. "Go ahead."

A few minutes later, the office door burst open with a bang. Charles stormed in, cold as ice, his good looks twisted in a scowl.

He threw the document hard onto my desk. "Lydia, what the hell are you playing at?"

I glanced at the document. It was the Starlight Project proposal.

"Take it at face value," I said, leaning back in my chair, coolly watching him. "Mr. Foster, you're smart. You should get it, right?"

"You handed the proposal to David?" He practically spat the words out, his voice tight with anger.

"Yep," I replied with a breezy smile. "You froze my cards, so I had to get creative with my income, right? Mr. Sterling made a generous offer. I'm happy with it."

"You!" Charles was so furious his chest was practically shaking, his glare sharp enough to cut. "Do you even realize how crucial this proposal is for Foster Group?"

"Of course I do," I said with a casual nod. "That's exactly why I sold it for top dollar."

"Lydia!" Charles barked, stepping forward and planting his hands firmly on my desk, leaning in so close his presence was almost suffocating.

He continued, "You really think this is how you get back at me? That's just naive! Listen up. Without me, J-Sense Design will be bankrupt in three days. Do you actually believe that?"

I met his furious glare, not even a little bit scared. Instead, I laughed. "I believe you."