Mabel's face flushed red at my words. "I-I took my mother's last name."
Before anyone could doubt her words, a group of newly emerged defenders for Mabel, who had been fairly low-profile, spoke up for her.
"You won't understand it, Stephanie. You're broke, remember? Of course, a wealthy family protects their precious daughter. Do you really think they'd broadcast to the whole world that she's the real heiress?
"Besides, with the way you're questioning her, it sounds like you're implying you're the heiress instead."
One of the coworkers jabbed her nail straight into my shoulder, piercing through the fabric. The pain made me frown. I opened my mouth to argue, but then I noticed it was time to clock out.
Dad had already told me the proposal still needed another revision. I didn't have time to waste on them, so I turned and left.
The next day, however, my access card wouldn't register at the office entrance no matter how many times I swiped it.
Elliot looked at me, clearly surprised. "What are you doing here?"
I frowned. "We're re-signing the contract with the client today. Why wouldn't I be here?"
He clicked his tongue impatiently. "I already removed you from the project team. Do you not understand plain language? Joseph and Mabel are now in charge of the project."
I looked at Elliot, but before I could speak, the space behind me was already packed with coworkers.
"What's going on? We still have to finalize the project plan for the next phase. Can someone just get out of the way already?"
"Don't be a roadblock. If you offend the client, not even working till you drop dead will be enough to pay them back!"
At that moment, Joseph also arrived at the company, impatiently honking from outside.
"Stephanie, I'm not even going to sugarcoat it. You throwing tantrums at home and snatching things is one thing, but stealing Mabel's performance at work, too? That's overboard."
Mabel rolled down the car window, her voice soft and hesitant. "Stephanie, everyone in the company knows you go out at night doing odd jobs for quick money. People even said you take condoms from the convenience box downstairs.
"I saw it a few times, but never reported you, and yet you don't appreciate it at all… Why are you still trying to steal my credit? Mr. Manson already removed you from the project, so stop clinging on and making a scene.
"Honestly, you're just making things ugly for everyone."
Stealing her credit?
Ever since Mabel joined the company, she had been quietly signing her name onto every project report behind my back. I had let it slide, thinking she was a year younger than me, hence the inexperience.
Now, she actually thought she could single-handedly land a three-billion-dollar contract after undermining me.
I pointed at my access card. "Are you going to open the door for me today or not? I'm going in to sign the contract."
Before I could say more, a young security guard at the entrance rushed up with a riot shield. A steel baton pressed me down to the ground.
"Where did this crazy woman come from? No troublemakers are allowed at the Empire Group's entrance—not under my watch!"
The sudden impact made the back of my head slam against the floor.
I trembled with rage all over and, finally, roared, "I'm the daughter of Chairman Arthur Stone! Don't even think about closing that deal when you're doing this to me!"
The words had barely fallen when a man's mocking laugh came from behind me. "Oh, really? I didn't know I had such a bratty daughter."
