Chapter 1

I booked a first-class plane ticket with my own money to secure a multi-million-dollar project ahead of our competitors. But upon returning to the company with a signed contract, I received a dismissal notice in the company's group chat. "Willow Lacroix has breached the company's cost control policy, causing an adverse impact. Her employment is hereby terminated, effective immediately." I stormed into the president's office. However, Ashley Zimmerman, the new assistant, brazenly got in my way. "It's company policy. All business trips are strictly economy class only, and you knowingly violated the rules. Why should the company bend the rules for you?" My fiance and the company's president, Chase Gibson, chimed in, "You're a department head. Yet, you've led the charge in breaking company policy. You set a terrible example!" After that, through the slats of the blinds, I could see Chase with his hands on Ashley's head as she knelt before him. I soon turned away and made a call. "I'll bring in that multi-million-dollar new energy project as an investment. By the way, does your company restrict key executives from flying out to close a deal?" There was a brief silence on the other end of the line until Zayn Parker let out a soft chuckle. "What kind of company would shackle its best talents with rigid policies? That's ridiculous." Then, his tone turned serious. "I want to know exactly what's going on over there, Willow." I sent him an excerpt of the project proposal. "Make me your partner. We'll split the profits from this deal and all the ones that come after." His answer was instantaneous. It was an email with the equity agreement attached. "This project could tap into a market worth hundreds of millions of dollars. If you give it to us, we'll be getting a good deal by taking you on as a partner. "But aren't you and Chase getting married soon? Aren't you worried he'll come after you if you do this? I remember asking you to give a technical talk, and you turned me down." I quickly filled out the agreement. All I felt was a chill in my heart. "Let's talk business. What I want to know is if this project will give us the leverage to dominate the next quarterly market review." "Chase Gibson is barely keeping up, even with you by his side. If you join me, I guarantee that he'll have no say when it comes to setting future industry standards," Zayn said confidently. So, I sent back the signed agreement along with the project handover details. "I'll be looking forward to seeing how you perform." After receiving the documents, Zayn dropped his casual tone and asked gravely, "Are you sure about this, Willow? Once you join us, I won't let you walk away with this project even if you and Chase patch things up!" I laughed to myself. A reconciliation between Chase and me was never going to happen. In order to close the deal before our competitor's product launch conference, I raced against time and paid for the plane ticket out of my own pocket. Yet, Chase ignored my explanation, choosing to believe only Ashley's one-sided account. "All employees book economy class tickets through the company's system before going on business trips. You went ahead and booked yourself a first-class ticket. This is a blatant violation of the rules!" I snorted coldly and turned to look at Chase. "Did you know that our partner company's executive vice president was sitting in the first-class cabin on the same flight? "If I hadn't made preparations ahead of time and gotten to him before our competition did, we wouldn't have landed this multi-million-dollar deal. And somehow, I'm the one at fault?" Chase frowned at my words. "Stop flattering yourself, Willow. I already had a strategic deal with Mr. Jenning. You were only there as a formality for the contract signing. "You, however, openly defied Ms. Zimmerman's cost-cutting and efficiency-enhancing policies. You misused company funds for your own enjoyment! You must be punished. "This isn't about the money, Willow. It's about your attitude. If you refuse to admit your mistake, it means you have no respect for company rules!" Chase's words left me stunned. It turned out he went through all this trouble just to defend his mistress. I found it absurd that I couldn't pay out of my pocket. I gave it my all for this company, yet this was my reward. Ashley had just been promoted from an intern to a full-time employee when Chase gave her full authority to push a cost-cutting and efficiency-enhancing reform. The most outrageous rule of all was that every employee, regardless of rank, had to travel only in economy class. I'd been tied up with projects overseas and hadn't even noticed the new policy. It used to be that executives could fly and upgrade under special circumstances as long as they went through the approval process. I figured nothing had changed and that the request was still under review. But Ashley discovered that my expense claim was for a plane ticket and immediately reported it to Chase. The harshly worded complaint email was pulled up on her computer. I shook my head to force myself to stop reminiscing. I swallowed my emotions and said to Zayn, "Save me an office. I'll bring the full proposal over tomorrow." Then, I hung up and went to pack up my personal belongings from the office. I stood by Chase for six years as he built his business from scratch. What started as an idea became a company with over 100 employees. My office held so much of my efforts and more. I packed up my personal laptop along with several boxes of documents and was ready to leave when the security guards blocked off the floor's exit. I looked at them in confusion. Then, Ashley came striding over with several administrative staff, all brimming with aggression. They surrounded me as a security guard wrenched my arms behind me. I couldn't comprehend what was happening and put up a violent struggle. "What are you doing?" Ashley took her place beside Chase and nodded approvingly at the guards. "Thank goodness you were all so quick to act. Otherwise, she would've walked out with the company's confidential information!" she said sharply. Pain shot through my wrists. A wave of embarrassment washed over me with all the other employees watching. I frowned and asked, "What confidential information am I walking out with? Let go of me!" Ashley pointed at my laptop. "It's all in there, isn't it? There are these documents, too! I knew you'd harbor resentment after being fired. If I hadn't kept my guard up, you would have already had everything transferred out!" I swallowed my anger as my temples throbbed painfully. "Those are my personal laptop and drafts!" She ignored me, saying dismissively, "Any storage device leaving the company must be reviewed by the Cybersecurity Department. Why haven't I seen your application in the system?"