Part 3The Protege's Five Million Dollar Betrayal

As I walked out of the manager's office, Chloe happened to be strolling by, still waving that signed receipt.

Seeing me, she smirked and flicked the paper in my direction. "Got the door slammed in your face, huh?"

"Elena, the times have changed. In today's market, results are the only thing that matters. Seniority means nothing."

"You only have a big portfolio because you got lucky and entered the industry a few years before I did."

"Did you honestly think it was because of your skill?"

"If you actually had skill, Mr. Vance wouldn't have signed with me so easily."

With that, she adjusted her collar, put on a sickeningly sweet voice, and strutted into the manager's office.

"Manager Sterling~ See, I told you I could close Mr. Vance!~"

"Look~ The five million dollar transfer went straight into my account, just like a good boy~"

Chloe didn't bother keeping her voice down. She clearly wanted me to hear every word.

I paused by the door, waiting to hear Sterling's response.

"Chloe, don't get arrogant just yet. You still have a long way to go to catch up to Elena."

"As far as I know, she single-handedly accounts for over half the growth in this branch's AUM. If you can figure out a way to take over her portfolio..."

"Don't worry, Manager Sterling! I can absolutely handle it."

"I shadowed her for months. I already memorized all her little tricks for client retention."

"It's just chatting them up and sending them cheap gifts. Those rich people love feeling like they're getting special treatment. Give them a few minor perks, and they'll come begging to deposit their money."

She paused, perfectly timing her pivot to flatter him.

"But mostly, it's because our firm's products are so strong."

"Under your brilliant leadership, Manager Sterling, our branch is already the top performer in the region. Everyone in the industry is so jealous we have you!~"

That hit the exact right spot.

Sterling had always felt insecure about being an external hire with no finance background. He knew the staff didn't respect him and only kept their mouths shut because of his title.

But he wasn't completely blind. He could feel the resentment.

Chloe's aggressive flattery inflated his ego to the size of a blimp.

"Mm. I knew I didn't misjudge you."

"I don't know why Elena walks around acting so high and mighty. She's literally just selling the products we provide."

Chloe immediately agreed. "Exactly! If it wasn't for your brilliant strategic direction, she would be nothing."

"She actually thinks her success is entirely her own doing."

"She's just a sales rep. People call her 'Manager' to be polite, and she actually thinks she's an executive?"

"Zero self-awareness."

Their voices dropped lower, but I could still clearly hear Sterling's smug reply.

"My advice to park your car horizontally across the aisle worked perfectly, didn't it?"

"If it wasn't for my strategic guidance, you never would have stalled her that long."

"Experience matters, Chloe. You still have a lot to learn from me."