Chapter 4

In the following days, I tagged all the departments for accountability - those with inflated budgets, those far below internal expectations, and those that failed to secure land bids.

A few of these were actually directed by the boss and directors themselves.

Usually, I'd report these audits to myself first, carefully avoiding any errors from higher-ups to maintain their authority in front of the employees.

I calculated that Karen wouldn't bother to look closely, and even if she did, the complex web of relationships in the company would be beyond her current level of understanding.

Moreover, to quickly establish herself in the company and avoid gossip, she was preparing to make a big splash as the new boss.

As expected, she didn't even glance at the knife I handed her, approving everything without question. I heard she was even bragging about presenting a company-wide report at the next meeting.

After finishing all this, I started planning my exit strategy.

Big city living isn't easy, and I needed to secure my next job quickly. After all, I'm at the age where many companies are wary of hiring potential brides-to-be.

I called my bestie Skylar, a sweet and sheltered heiress from a well-off family.

Before graduation, she had invited me to work at her brother's company, but I was too proud back then. I didn't want to rely on connections or backdoor deals, insisting on making it on my own merits.

Now I understand - nepotism is truly the way to go!If it weren't for her connections, Karen wouldn't be fit to be an audit manager, let alone even a lowly employee at the company!

My bestie didn't even let me finish before telling me to quit immediately.

"What kind of messed up garbage company is this? And what loser ex-boyfriend did you hook up with? I told you to go work at my brother's company, but you refused. I offered to make you my sister-in-law, and you turned that down too... Just wait, I'm coming to pick you up right now!"

I wanted to say more, but she had already hung up.

I rubbed my nose, thinking it wasn't that I wanted to refuse, but her Adonis-like brother was way out of my league as a mere mortal!

I opened my drawer, but before I could find where I'd put my resignation letter, HR called me to the conference room.

I stood up, confused, and saw Karen and Chad coming together again.

"Oh, you're still here? Did you get the layoff notice?"

Layoffs? Right when I was about to quit?

Was this a stroke of incredible luck?

I looked at Karen in surprise, thinking she must have really pushed for this so the company wouldn't have to pay severance.

I smiled as I looked them up and down, noticing they were wearing matching rings, and couldn't help but ask:

"Oh my, are you two making it official?"

"Of course!After falling in love with you, I realized that Karen is the one I truly love. We're childhood sweethearts, from similar backgrounds. She's the bride I've always dreamed of."

Chad laughed triumphantly.

"Oh," I nodded in understanding.

"But I remember, you said not too long ago that you only saw her as a little sister. So you're into incest now? Tsk tsk, you're really playing the field! And about that 'similar background' - her family's luxury condo is right next to your rundown apartment. You call that matching?"

Karen was about to say something, but Chad cut her off.

His face flushed red as he pointed a shaky finger at me:

"You backwoods hick, how dare you mock me! My family may be poor, but at least we live in the city. I know you're just jealous that Karen and I are together! Let me tell you, no matter what tricks you try, I'll never get back with you. Karen is the only one I love!"

I swatted his hand away and curled my lip into a smirk.

"Got it. My dog's off to be someone else's lapdog now. Barking so loudly - afraid people won't know you've changed owners?"

Ignoring the yapping of those two dogs, I headed to the conference room.In the conference room, the HR representative looked at me and sighed. It was in this very room years ago that she had shaken my hand, welcoming me as her colleague.

"Sarah, thank you for your dedication to the company all these years. Due to business changes and organizational restructuring, the results of your previous job applications weren't quite what we hoped for..."

I gently interrupted her.

"Linda, it's just the two of us here. There's no need for the corporate speak, is there?"

She nodded and lowered her voice.