The room fell completely silent.
The finance director and sales VP exchanged glances, neither daring to speak.
Sadie looked at me arrogantly.
“Of course, your projects weren’t exactly… clean. The company can’t condone such lowly behavior.
“Right now, we’re just stripping you of the award. But if you keep using shady tactics to ruin the company’s reputation, you’ll be fired next.”
I was shaking with anger, my eyes scanning every leader on the stage. Those who had once praised my skills and potential now avoided my gaze, heads down in submission.
I looked at the top executive, Cody.
“Sir… is this really your decision, too?”
Being called out publicly clearly annoyed him; he frowned impatiently.
“Phoebe, the company has its considerations. Don’t let a small thing ruin the awards ceremony. You need to see the bigger picture.”
“The bigger picture?” My eyes burned red, and my voice shook.
“So the bigger picture means I work non-stop all year, stay until midnight every day, pour myself into projects—and all those achievements go to someone else?
“Because of some baseless rumor from her, all my hard work gets erased, and you all remain indifferent?