Chapter 4

Those words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

All my IDs were in that stolen briefcase! My phone was at the bottom of the pool. I couldn't even prove that I was Chloe, Lead Designer at L'étoile!

Evelyn saw my pale face, her panic instantly vanishing into a cruel, triumphant smile.

She adjusted her shawl, stepped closer, and called out so the whole street could hear:

"Go ahead then! Show them your proof!"

The officer's eyes turned completely cold when he saw my pale face and lack of ID.

"Ma'am, filing false police reports is illegal. Since this is a domestic issue, we're giving you a verbal warning," the officer said, glaring at me. "Stop wasting police time, or we will arrest you for disturbing the peace."

"Officer, please!" My voice was raspy with rage. "My driver's license, badge, and sketches were in that briefcase! They took everything that proves who I am!" I pointed at Evelyn. "Just check neighbor Mrs. Smith’s house! The bag is right there!"

He just gave me a cold look and turned away.

The patrol car sped off, taking my last sliver of hope with it.

Evelyn dusted off her long dress and let out a smug laugh. "See? Even the cops think you're crazy. It’s just a stupid work pitch. Miss it, and you can apply next year! Learn to accept God’s plan."

"Shut the hell up!"

My last remaining thread of sanity snapped. I lunged forward and shoved her with all my strength!

Evelyn threw herself onto the ground and started screaming at the top of her lungs. "She hit me! My own daughter hit me! Everyone, look at this heartless bitch!"

I stood in the middle of the crowd, trembling violently, completely drowning in grief and despair.

Just then, a black sedan slammed its brakes at the curb. Mrs. Smith sprinted out, clutching my black leather briefcase, completely out of breath.

"Chloe! I'm so sorry! I freaked out when I saw the cops," Mrs. Smith said, wiping cold sweat off her forehead as she shoved the bag into my arms. "I'm done with it. Take it back!"

In that instant, I felt like I was pulled off death row. My heart pounded in my chest!

"Lisa, I don't need the phone anymore!" I grabbed the briefcase and pressed it against my chest. I turned and screamed at Mrs. Smith, "Can you drive me to L'étoile headquarters?! Fast!"

"Yes! Get in!" Mrs. Smith nodded frantically and pulled the car door open.

She drove like a madwoman. At 8:58 AM, the car slammed to a halt right in front of the L'étoile building.

Mark, the senior executive assistant, was pacing nervously at the entrance. The second he saw me, he ran over and yanked the car door open. "Chloe! Where the hell have you been?! The board is waiting for you! You have two minutes!"

"I'm here! I have the sketches!" Holding the briefcase tight, I sprinted right behind Mark into the executive elevator.

32nd floor. Executive Conference Room.

I slammed through the double doors just one minute before they locked.

Top executives and international board members lined both sides of the long table. The CEO glared at me coldly. "Chloe, you're late. If you can't blow us away right now, this meeting is over."

"I'm sorry. I'm ready!"

I took a deep breath, forcing my racing heart to slow down. I slammed the briefcase onto the center of the conference table and unzipped it.

The next second, the air in the room froze.

Instead of my encrypted flash drive, sketches, and clearance pass, it was filled with nothing but a stack of yellowed newspapers and blank paper!

The entire board erupted into chaos.