“Next slide, please.”

Deviana’s voice rang steady, though her palms were damp with sweat.

The meeting room of the fashion company was packed with influential figures. Rows of creative team members, managers, even directors, all sat facing the big screen at the front. A few colleagues—those who once gossiped about her the loudest—folded their arms, smirking with satisfaction.

One of them whispered just loud enough to be heard. “Watch her crumble. All those ‘mysterious favors’ won’t save her now.”

Deviana caught the words. Her breath hitched for a second, but she straightened her posture. I won’t break just because of whispers.

She lifted the presentation remote. “This project is more...