Chapter 2

I didn't even bother looking up from my desk. "Mr. Vance, according to company policy, junior lab assistants are only permitted to manage up to five active files."

Julian turned pale, then crimson with fury. "Rules are made for guidelines, not blind obedience! Why can't you be flexible?!"

I ignored him, continuing to draft my official incident report to corporate headquarters. Seeing that I wouldn't take the bait, his voice rose to a shriek.

"Nora, is this your idea of a professional work ethic?! Stop bringing your personal grievances into the office!"

I turned my phone toward him, bringing up the WhatsApp announcement and tapping my fingernail against the line: *We need obedient cogs in the machine.*

Julian choked on his own breath, completely at a loss for words, before turning on his heel and slamming his office door shut.

Less than thirty seconds later, my phone vibrated. It was a call from Mr. Lewis at corporate.

Julian realized he couldn't break me himself, so he had gone running up the chain of command for leverage.

"Nora, Julian filled me in on the broad strokes. I know this situation feels unfair to you."

My grip tightened around the phone.

Over all these years, I had always believed that letting the work speak for itself was the only thing that mattered.

When I first joined the firm, the debut fragrance I designed became an overnight global sensation, directly driving the company's multi-million-dollar acquisition.

Back then, Julian had been ecstatic, handing me an eighty-thousand-dollar bonus on the spot and declaring in front of the entire staff:

"Our company thrives on real talent like Nora! Everyone in this room needs to follow her example!"

Yet as the company expanded, Julian became obsessed with corporate buzzwords and managerial politics.

He started favoring kiss-asses, hype men, and sycophants, while growing increasingly hostile toward the people doing the actual heavy lifting.

If it hadn't been for my formulas keeping the balance sheets in the green, this boutique division would have been shuttered years ago.

Before I could answer, Mr. Lewis spoke up again with a patronizing, fatherly sigh.

"Company protocol has to be maintained, Nora. You drove significant revenue, yes, but you still broke the budget ceiling. After consulting with the board, we've decided: for every contract you finalize moving forward, you will receive a zero point one percent commission."

I let out a cold, silent laugh. My original commission rate was one whole percent. Under the guise of "doing me a favor," they were slashing my earnings by ninety percent.

Presenting it as some benevolent compromise was nothing more than an amateur psychological trap.

"Nora, we're still counting on you to deliver brilliant numbers while staying inside the lines. Once you prove that, the senior master perfumer seat is yours again."

The second the call ended, I opened my laptop and drafted a formal resignation letter.

Before I could hit print, Julian called an impromptu all-hands meeting in the main conference room.

Backed by headquarters, he strutted in radiating unearned confidence.

"Everyone has been working exceptionally hard lately, so we're hosting a quick performance recognition ceremony!"

A scattered wave of applause and cheers broke out. I sat silently at the end of the table, watching the circus unfold.

"In third place: Scott! You brought in one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in revenue, and you only spent a third of the allowed budget."

"The company is awarding you a three-thousand-dollar bonus!"

I offered a faint, bitter smile. Scott cut corners by purchasing bottom-barrel synthetic bases that triggered allergic reactions left and right; legal was already buried under customer lawsuits because of him.

Throughout the room, coworkers kept sneaking glances at me—some full of pity, some mocking, some outright smug.

Chloe glanced toward me with a worried expression. I gave her a calm, silent nod.

"And our top performer this month," Julian announced, his voice booming with theatrical excitement, "is none other than Chloe! She just secured an exclusive investment contract with Marcus Sterling's retail group!"

"Management is rewarding her with a fifteen-thousand-dollar bonus!"

Julian threw a triumphant look in my direction, clearly expecting to see me break down in rage over having my premier account poached. He was sorely disappointed; my expression remained unreadable.

Chloe stood up awkwardly to accept the check. Her eyes flicked toward me, full of guilt and nervous hesitation.

She gave a weak, stammering laugh. "It's... it's all thanks to Nora's mentorship!"

Julian frowned at her deference, cutting in loudly: "Chloe, don't sell yourself short! Everyone here sees your talent. Our company rewards merit, not seniority!"

I couldn't help letting out a soft chuckle. Julian's hypocrisy shifted colors faster than a chameleon.

Several coworkers chimed in with sneering remarks.

"Exactly, Chloe earned this on her own merit! Don't let anyone intimidate you!"

"Some people think having a couple of big clients gives them the right to treat the rest of us like dirt. Let's see them act arrogant now."

"Ten years at the company and she can't even keep her own accounts. If I were her, I'd pack my bags out of sheer embarrassment."

Right when the sneers reached a fever pitch, the front desk receptionist knocked and pushed open the conference room door.

"Mr. Vance... Mr. Marcus Sterling is here in person to discuss a one-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar distribution deal. He's asking specifically for Nora Hayes."

The room fell dead silent. The smirks instantly froze on everyone's faces.