From a Trip to a Toy

Grandpa could tell something was off and asked anxiously, "Harriet, what happened? Did that Vincent guy mistreat you?"

I told Grandpa everything that had happened. After hearing my story, he flew into a rage.

"Whatever you plan to do to get back at him, you'll always have my support.

"We may not have much, but we've got plenty of money and businesses. We can grind him down if we need to!"

A warmth spread through me, and I hummed in response.

That night, I let myself process all my emotions and actually slept really well.

The next day, Vincent's call jolted me from my sleep. "Harriet, stop throwing a tantrum. I just felt bad for Katie because she comes from a poor family, and I thought of helping her. There was nothing else to it."

I didn't hold back and said, "Many employees in your company are supporting their families too. Why don't you feel bad for all of them?"

Seeing that I refused to give in, Vincent finally lost his patience.

"Harriet, you've been through a lot helping me build this business. You've put so much into it. We're so close to going public.

"Are you really going to walk away like this? If you really choose to walk away, there won't be a place for you here anymore."

I sneered. I had been wondering where Vincent got his confidence from. So he was betting on the fact that I cared about the company.

Even if I were upset, I would eventually give in and come crawling back. Once I went back, it would happen again—perhaps two or three more times.

Vincent could use that excuse to keep me under his thumb.

But there was just one little problem—I didn't give a crap about his business. A company like that wasn't even worth my time.

And that wasn't just it. I would destroy everything Vincent was so proud of.

Still looking smug, Vincent continued, "I'm attending Ruby Group's bidding conference in a few days. If all goes well, I expect to break into A9 within a year.

"You do know this, right? Ruby Group has always valued me. It's already in the bag."

Hearing that, I stifled a laugh.

Ruby Group? That was my family's company, wasn't it?

Back then, I had used my family's resources to help Vincent pave the way forward. Was he really so naive as to think he had succeeded entirely on his own?

Not only would Vincent lose the bid, but I would also use my company's influence to crush him completely.

I didn't say any of that and looked at him meaningfully. "Fine. We'll see who comes out on top."

Over the next few days, I started getting involved in the company's operations to gain experience. As the only daughter in the family, I had always gotten whatever I asked for. No one in the company dared challenge me either, and things were going a little too smoothly.

Soon, the day of the bidding conference arrived. As the organizer, I arrived early to oversee the setup. I was so busy that I didn't even notice Katie and Vincent approaching me arm in arm.

"Harriet? What brings you here?" He sounded shocked, staring at me in disbelief.

I was slightly annoyed as I hadn't meant to reveal my identity so soon.

Katie spoke up first, raising her voice slightly. "Harriet, I didn't expect you'd fallen so far that you're working as a janitor now."

Vincent's expression instantly became unreadable. He looked smug yet sympathetic, but above all, he couldn't hide his sense of superiority.

He sighed. "Look at you. Why did you have to quit out of spite? Now you've ended up at rock bottom, working as a janitor and sorting through junk."

I didn't know what gave them that idea, but I didn't argue.

Vincent deliberately led Katie over to me. "I asked Katie to join me for the conference today. If all goes well, she'll be promoted to supervisor soon."

Pride flickered in her eyes, though she spoke shyly. "If Vincent hadn't taught me all he knew, I wouldn't have improved this fast."

Vincent clearly wanted to see me upset and regretful, but he got nothing. I just smiled at him and turned to leave.

Soon, the bidding conference began. The emcee invited the CEO of Ruby Group to the stage.

Vincent was confidently bragging to Katie. "Their CEO really thinks highly of me. We go way back."

As soon as I stepped out, he began to panic.