Chapter 3The Mistress Got My Bonus While I Got The Debt

The next morning, Graham’s voice was booming in the office.

“Mr. Thompson, Bella’s been under the weather lately, yes. But we’ve assigned a more senior colleague to the follow-up. Absolutely no issues!”

My heart gave a faint, cynical skip. It was Mr. Thompson, the twelve-million-dollar client.

More senior? I scoffed internally. Who else in this company understood the complex, customized requirements of that project the way I did?

Graham deliberately walked over to my desk.

“Bella, the company has decided to focus on developing Piper’s skills, and she’s now Project Lead. You need to adjust your attitude and check your emotions at the door. The company keeps turning, with or without you!”

I gave him a sweet, fake smile. “Understood, Graham. I’m completely unbothered.”

Piper smugly took her place at my old Team Lead desk.

The crucial project coordination meeting began precisely on time that afternoon.

Mr. Thompson and his team were already seated in the conference room.

I sat at my cubicle and could just faintly hear the muffled conversation, which, surprisingly, didn’t sound like the intense argument I’d expected.

A long while later, the door opened. Graham walked out, accompanying Mr. Thompson and his team, wearing a look of relieved satisfaction.

“Mr. Thompson, don’t worry, Piper is young, but she’s a quick study. We will absolutely deliver on this project!” Graham’s voice was sickeningly sycophantic.

Mr. Thompson nodded faintly, then spoke to a clearly expectant Piper. “Ms. Wells, that initial report and your presentation outline were very clear. Good foundation. Keep it up.”

It wasn't a glowing review, but to Graham and Piper, it was the sound of a heavenly choir.

“Thank you, Mr. Thompson! I’ll work even harder!” Piper’s voice trembled with excitement.

After seeing off the client, Graham clapped Piper heavily on the shoulder and declared loudly, making sure the entire office heard: “Excellent! Well done! I knew you could do it! Some people, who think too highly of themselves, need to see the new guard taking over!”

The office eyes shifted, intentionally or not, toward me.

Piper, clutching a folder, walked over to me, her face alight with triumph.

“Bella,” she said, flaunting the folder. “You heard Mr. Thompson, right? Honestly, it wasn’t much—just a basic analysis report. Maybe it’s complicated for some people, but I think, if you just apply yourself, it’s no big deal.”

She deliberately held the folder up and shook it in front of me. “Looks like the company keeps turning just fine without anyone, doesn’t it? Maybe even better.”

I recognized the report instantly. It was a draft file I had saved on my work computer.

My voice remained calm. “That report you handed Mr. Thompson, that was a file from my computer, correct?”

Piper’s face went rigid with indignation. “So what if it was? The computer is company property, so the files are company assets! As the Project Lead, what’s the problem with using company data?”

“The problem is presenting someone else’s labor as your own, and using it to claim credit. That’s theft.”

“You’re lying!” Piper shrieked, like a cornered animal. “I referenced it! I borrowed it! Graham said all resources must be used for the project! I already copied every single follow-up folder for this account from your computer! It’s all gone! Whether you’re here or not is irrelevant to the project now!”

I allowed myself a small, internal smile. “Then I sincerely wish you success with the project follow-up.”

The files on my computer were the initial, first-generation versions, with zero connection to the project’s actual core logic. A simple analysis report wouldn’t show the difference yet. But if she continued to use those files…

The real show was just about to begin.