Chapter 2

He spoke quickly, as if afraid I would refuse first.

Another sharp pain twisted through my abdomen, cold sweat forming on my forehead.

But I still lifted my head to look at the two people in front of me.

"This project, from planning to execution, every line of code, every piece of data, even every client meeting—I handled all of it myself! Kevin doesn't even understand the project background. Are you sure you want him to present?"

Sophia's expression grew even uglier.

"What do you mean? Questioning my decision?"

Her tone became sharper: "Let me tell you! I'm in charge of this department. Whoever I say presents, presents. Do you think you own this company?"

The commotion had drawn quite a bit of attention, with several colleagues poking their heads out from their desks.

I frowned, unwilling to engage in meaningless arguments with her.

"You can fight over anything else, but this KDD project presentation must be mine."

My tone was calm but carried unwavering determination.

But Sophia suddenly laughed.

"I understand now."

She covered her mouth exaggeratedly, her eyes filled with unconcealed contempt and disgust.

"You're so insistent on presenting because you want to show off in front of the group leadership, looking for a chance to sleep your way up, right?"

Her words were cutting, her voice shrill and piercing.

As soon as she said this, I clearly felt more and more colleagues casting hostile glances my way.

Before I could say anything, Sophia continued in her raised voice: "You young girls nowadays are so shameless, always trying to take shortcuts with your bodies. No wonder you always dress up so flashily at work—turns out you're just fishing for men."

"Watch your mouth!"

The soreness in my lower back combined with the cramping pain already had me irritated.

Hearing this made anger surge in my chest.

"You need evidence when you speak. Making baseless accusations and slander like this—I can sue you!"

Sophia snorted and took two steps closer to me.

She crossed her arms, shrugging her shoulders dismissively.

"Am I wrong? Why are you pretending to be innocent? Don't think I don't know what you do in private. Seducing men—you're a professional, aren't you?"

She reached out, rubbing the fabric of my clothes between her fingers, pursing her lips: "This brand, costs at least a hundred thousand dollars, right? You're a fresh graduate—where'd you get that kind of money!"

"What, got hooked on servicing old men, now planning to seduce our group CEO?"

As soon as she said this, a commotion rippled through the office.

Several colleagues huddled together and started whispering.

"No way, Laura's actually that kind of person? She always seemed like such a good kid."

"That's what you don't understand. These women are the best at playing innocent. Those rich old men love that type."

"I knew it—wondered where she got the money for all those clothes and bags at her age. So that's how she earns it. It's easier for women to make money."

Listening to the vulgar gossip around me, my fists clenched involuntarily.

"Dirty-minded people see everything as dirty!"

The outfit Sophia mentioned was a gift I bought myself when I earned my first pot of gold from entrepreneurship in my sophomore year.

It was the first thing in my life I bought without using a cent of my family's money.

This outfit held extraordinary meaning for me.

But in others' mouths, it became "spoils of war" I'd earned by selling my body.

As if a woman's value could only be defined by the men beside her.