Part 3The Road to Success

I found her in the breakroom during lunch. I explained the real budget, the client, everything. By the end of it, my throat was dry.

“So, you get it now, right?”

Chloe’s brow was furrowed, and I thought I had finally gotten through to her.

But as I turned to leave, she let out a cold, cynical laugh. “Wow, Sarah. You’ve really put a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?”

I froze. Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

“Making up some story about the company being broke just to cover up your little scam.”

“You don’t really think I’m that naive, do you? I’m not just some dumb intern.”

“You accounting types… you might not make a huge salary, but you know all the tricks for lining your own pockets.”

She looked at me like she was the smartest person in the room.

“Everyone knows the company is about to close an eight-figure deal. And you’re telling me we’re broke?”

“Couldn’t you have come up with a more believable lie?”

My head was spinning. Chloe stepped closer, stilettos clicking on the linoleum, and looked down her nose at me.

“As long as I’m here,” she said, her voice low and menacing, “I won’t let corporate parasites like you get away with anything.”

In that moment, something in me snapped. I hadn’t actually done anything wrong. Why was I bothering to explain myself to her?

When the lunch break was over, Chloe decided it was time for a public spectacle.