Chapter 3

Before leaving the conference room, Mason walked up to me and patted my shoulder.

"See? This is much better. Team harmony is what matters most."

His voice was still deep and gentle, but it only made me feel physically sick.

I didn't reply. I just subtly stepped away, letting his hand drop.

In my past life, I cared too much about this company and too much about him. That was how they manipulated me and ruined my life.

But in this life, those feelings would become the very weapons I used to destroy them.

Back in my office, I locked the door.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. It rang twice before a familiar voice answered.

"Audrey?"

He sounded surprised that I was calling.

Liam Vance. In my past life, he was my fiercest competitor in the market, but he was also the only person who tried to throw me a lifeline when I hit rock bottom.

When we were competing for this German client in Berlin, he had even voluntarily stepped back to help me secure the deal.

Back then, I didn't understand why. But now I realized—unlike Mason, Liam actually knew how to respect and appreciate my worth.

"Liam, are you still trying to get in touch with Dr. Horn, the German client?"

Silence fell over the line as he tried to read my intentions.

"Why? Are you calling to flex your victory, or are you offering me a second chance?"

"Neither," I said, looking at my reflection in the window.

"I’m quitting Aura Group. I want to join Vance Global. And I’ll bring Dr. Horn’s contract with me."

This time, the silence lasted much longer.

"Your reason?" he finally asked, direct and sharp.

"Aura Group is about to crash and burn, and I don’t plan on going down with the ship. As for my capability, you already know what I can do."

Liam let out a low chuckle.

"Name your terms. If you bring the client and the project, what do you want?"

"A VP position."

This was a bold move—effectively poaching a major client from my current company to join their rival. Any logical boss would worry about the legal risks and ethics.

But Liam wasn't just any boss. He didn't hesitate.

"As long as you want to come, the doors of Vance Global are always open to you. Name your terms, the resources are yours."

He didn't ask what happened between Mason and me, nor did he doubt my sincerity.

That was Liam. He only cared about true value.

After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

My ally was secured. My escape route was paved.

Next, I just had to watch them walk straight into the grave they were digging for themselves.

My mind drifted back to the night the deal went through in my past life.

Mason had thrown a stack of papers onto my desk, coldly ending our relationship.

"Audrey, let’s break up. And I need you to step down from the board."

I had stared at him, unable to process his words.

"Why, Mason? Just because I didn't agree with Chloe's stupid idea?"

He frowned, sighing with deep annoyance.

"Look at yourself. You're aggressive, bitter, and paranoid! You've made Chloe cry so many times. The company doesn't need a toxic, dramatic woman running things!"

Toxic? Dramatic? I had sacrificed everything for this company, only to be called a toxic drama queen.

I had trembled with rage, tears spilling over.

"The employees have signed a petition asking you to leave. I have to take action to protect the company. Take care of yourself, Audrey."

With those cold words, Mason had walked out, leaving me with a formal termination notice.

The employees who used to smile at me either watched coldly or whispered behind my back. Some even clapped.

I shook my head violently and slapped my cheeks to wake myself up.

Don't think about the past. Since I'm back, none of that will happen again.