My fiancé’s new intern actually suggested serving chips and soda to the CEO of a multi-million dollar company’s wedding guests. Could you believe it? And the whole company, mind you, cheered for it. They called it “innovative and cute,” “so creative.” I instantly shot it down, only to be mocked as “old-fashioned” and “out of touch with young people.” To protect our reputation, I secretly swapped back to the high-end menu. The wedding, in the end, was a smashing success. But the very next day, the intern went live on TikTok, crying and accusing me of “workplace bullying” and “stealing her credit.” And my fiancé, Alexander, didn’t say a word, tacitly agreeing with every single one of her accusations. Clients cancelled contracts, partnerships ended, our company’s reputation was dragged through the mud. Employees, jobless and furious, unleashed all their anger on me. I was beaten black and blue, subjected to a brutal online hate mob. My parents collapsed from stress and were hospitalized, and I ultimately drowned, my heart overflowing with bitter hatred. Reborn into this life, I’ve learned my lesson. No stopping them, no advising them, no saving them. A ridiculous “snack banquet”? I’ll make sure it crashes and burns, spectacularly. It’ll be an absolute nightmare. I sat in my familiar office. The intern’s proposal, signed by my fiancé, lay quietly on my desk. I coldly sneered and sold off all my shares. “This time,” I muttered, “I’m just here to watch the show unfold.” 0
It was only early autumn, but the lake water was already ice-cold, biting. I felt my lungs squeeze, the last bit of air forced out of my body. I drowned three days after that wedding. Bruised and battered, with claw marks from my ‘colleagues’ still stinging my face. The laid-off employees, furious and jobless, screamed that I deserved it, that I’d brought it all upon myself. The mob beating, the online hate, the contract cancellations, the shredded agreements – all because of one phrase: “I won’t approve the snack banquet.” Chloe cried a river of fake tears, claiming I bullied her, stole her brilliant idea. Alexander watched me surrounded, trapped, and didn’t utter a single word. My soul floated above, watching, as my father burst from his hospital room, his arm still connected to an IV drip, pulling my mother down to their knees to beg Alexander for one more chance for me. I died so quietly, yet I became the top trending topic: **[B*tch Finally Gets What She Deserves, Good Riddance]** Then, I opened my eyes again. I was sitting in the familiar conference room. The intern, Chloe, was in the corner, suddenly speaking. Her eyes sparkled, her voice cloyingly sweet: “All those fancy dishes are so old-fashioned! Who still eats dry roast beef, rubbery lobster, and boring champagne at a wedding?” “How about we switch to fried chicken, chips, and soda instead? It’s more down-to-earth, and it looks young and vibrant!” The conference room fell silent. The next second, laughter erupted. “Hahaha, how novel!” “You know, young people really prefer this stuff.” “That’s hilarious, I’m all for it!” The sensation of the lake water choking me was still so vivid. I clutched my chest, gulping down the long-lost air. I turned my head. Alexander and the various shareholders were all looking at me impatiently. Everything was exactly as it had happened in my memories. I… I was reborn? Gently closing my folder, I quickly accepted this gift of fate, smiling faintly: “I actually think soda with fried chicken could create quite the vibe.” Chloe nodded, beaming: “See? That’s what I’m saying! Who eats fancy stuff anymore? It’s so greasy~” She was wearing a frilly, sweet-looking dress, like the mean girl from a high school drama. I remembered her from my past life, too. She’d pop up softly, a knife in her hand, plastered with pink stickers, but it would stab you right where it hurt most. Alexander leaned back in his chair, lazily, his gaze full of doting affection for her: “Sounds interesting. The client said they wanted something ‘unique,’ right? This definitely fits the bill.” A chaotic circus of approval erupted as the group laughed and applauded. I lowered my eyes, then nodded: “We can give it a try.” As soon as I said that, the entire room seemed to relax, as if they’d been waiting for me to start a fight. Too bad. I wasn’t taking the bait this time. “Then I’ll re-arrange the schedule. I’ll also coordinate with the audio and presentation teams.” I said, gathering the documents on my desk. No one thought anything was unusual about me. They thought I had given up. Only I knew that what I needed to do now wasn’t to argue, but to plant the bombs. This planning company was founded by Alexander and me. I poured nearly all my savings into it, even my parents’ retirement fund. In the early days, to secure investments, I’d entertained clients until I was hospitalized multiple times. Alexander and I crammed into a tiny studio, working from dawn till dusk, never daring to slack off. In my previous life, worried about all our hard work going to waste, I had changed the menu before the wedding, ensuring its smooth execution. But I never imagined I’d die with a tainted reputation, and that my parents would fall ill because of me. This time, I wouldn’t stop them. Let them fill a high-society wedding, attended by the nation’s most prominent figures, with their bubble tea, fried chicken, and chips. Let them crash and burn, be humiliated, and perish. Caldwell Enterprises, that massive client, I’ll devour all by myself. I will settle every single score. 0
I locked my office door and dialed a long-uncalled number. “Victoria, I’m in. I’m joining your team.” “I need you to assemble a full-service, high-end banquet team within three days.” “Don’t ask why. I’ll explain the specifics when we meet. Just follow the proposal I’ve sent for now.” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then a cheerful agreement. “We’ve been waiting a long time to hear that from you.” This team was connected through my university senior, Victoria. She had already moved half her business to a high-end wedding planning firm abroad. They had invited me to join them several times, but in my previous life, for the sake of “partner balance” with Alexander and our company, I had painfully declined. This life, I wouldn’t give way. I wasn’t just here to save this one wedding; I was paving my own path. Alexander could be a partner, but I could also dismantle this mess and rebuild a new “Scarlett Events” without him. I instructed Victoria to sign contracts under a new name, directly with the hotel channels. At the same time, I quietly established my new company: legal registration, entity formation, and process approvals – all done in one swift motion. With my second chance at life, I was launching my second venture. I deliberately stayed late at the office, working overtime until everyone else had left. I returned alone to the projector control room, locked the door, and turned off the lights. In the glow of the screen, I pulled a specially designed USB drive from my bag— This USB could subtly switch signal channels and control playback content without detection. In my previous life, they’d used this exact setup to play a “Thank You Team” video that was, on the surface, glamorous, but secretly contained Chloe’s self-serving “innovation speech.” This time, I would make her personally tear off her masked face. I turned on the sound testing equipment, connecting the USB while simultaneously activating my voice recorder. Over the next few days, I would prepare a clear, complete gift for Alexander and Chloe. 0
The next morning, I arrived at work as usual. Chloe was even earlier than me, humming a tune as she arranged flowers. She saw me and deliberately sidled over, her eyes glistening, as if plucking up courage to speak: “Scarlett, you finally didn’t argue with me yesterday. It’s the first time you’ve acknowledged me, and I’m so happy.” Listening to her syrupy pretense of being wronged, ignoring the looks from those around us, I smiled too and nodded: “Yes, your proposal this time… it really is quite novel.” She blinked, inching closer, pushing her luck: “So, can I take over the schedule and logistics? Even Alex praised how clever I am, I’ll learn quickly.” “Of course,” I replied calmly. “You can handle the front-of-house flow. I’ll oversee the audio and back-end production.” She froze for a second, as if she couldn’t believe I was being so agreeable this time. Afraid I’d change my mind, she nodded vigorously: “Okay! I promise I won’t disappoint you!” She really thought I had given up. I watched her skip, without knocking, straight into Alexander’s office to deliver her good news. The frosted glass dimly showed their embracing silhouettes. Later, I walked past the office and heard voices drifting from the crack in the door. “Alex, why is she so easy to deal with now? Does she know she’s about to be sidelined?” Chloe’s sickly sweet voice murmured. Alexander chuckled softly: “She doesn’t know how to adapt. She’ll dig her own grave eventually.” “Tell me… can we take over all the upcoming projects too?” “Once this wedding is over, her reputation in this industry will be ruined. People like her are too much of a nuisance. It’s best to get rid of her early so there are no future worries.” Excellent. I pushed the door open, smiling: “There you are, I was just looking for you two.” Chloe startled, quickly jumped off Alexander’s lap, feigning composure, and straightening her clothes: “Scarlett, don’t misunderstand, Alex and I, we were just discussing the front-of-house floral arrangements~” “Scarlett, don’t be dramatic. We’re just working.” My gaze deliberately lingered between them. Under their tense stares, I simply nodded faintly: “Don’t overwork yourselves. Remember to go through the full rehearsal tonight, so there are no mistakes on the day.” She saw that I wasn’t reacting according to her script, leaving her pre-prepared act useless. Her smile became forced. I turned and left, the tiny camera clipped to my collar flashing a red light. I knew this was just the beginning. I wouldn’t rush my move. I would let them dig their own graves, one by one, and jump right in. I just needed to play one sound clip, flash one piece of paper, at the very end. And I could bury them, leaving not even their bones behind. This wedding would be their public execution. But I underestimated their viciousness. 0
**[Scarlett, could you please come down to the basement storage? This prop seems to be having an issue.]** I looked out the window at the darkening sky. I left a message for my team, but still headed to the company’s basement storage as per Chloe’s text. On the way, I noticed everyone’s eyes subtly falling on me. My heart stirred with suspicion, but I had no idea what trick Chloe was up to, so I decided to proceed cautiously. The elevator doors opened, revealing the usually lit basement storage in complete darkness. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I instinctively recoiled, not stepping out of the elevator. Instead, I frantically pressed the close-door button, wanting to go back upstairs. “Scarlett’s running! Grab her!” Chloe’s sharp voice echoed from the warehouse, making it sound even more sinister. Through the crack in the still-open elevator doors, I saw several burly men in black suits emerge from the darkness. The cold, white elevator light made them look even more menacing. Their arms looked like they could knock out eight of me with a single punch. “Press the elevator door, you idiots!” Chloe shouted into a walkie-talkie at the men from the warehouse entrance. My hands trembled as I frantically pressed the close button, but the elevator doors were maddeningly slow. Finally, the moment the doors fully closed, I watched the figures trapped outside. My heart, which had been pounding in my throat, slowly settled, filled with the relief of a narrow escape. The elevator opened again, back into the bright company floor, but my wildly thumping heart still hadn’t calmed down. I looked at the crowd waiting by the elevator, suddenly recalling Chloe’s sinister smile just before the doors completely shut. “What do you want?” My back pressed against the elevator wall, I forced myself to speak in a cold voice. They said nothing, but slowly advanced on me. “Scarlett, I know you’re still unhappy with me.” “I overheard you telling Alex you wanted to sabotage this plan. But everyone has approved it, I can’t let all our hard work, and the company’s investment, go to waste just because of you.” “So, to stop you from causing trouble, you’ll just have to be inconvenienced and stay in the company storage for a while.” My eyes widened. I could barely believe what I was hearing: “I never once objected! I never even talked to Alex!” Meeting my gaze, Alexander looked away, but then said in a deep voice: “Even now, you’re still putting on an act!” Seeing this, all the shareholders and employees instantly lost their initial reluctance and hesitation, casting strange looks at me. Chloe immediately teared up: “Scarlett must be mad that I gained everyone’s approval. It’s okay. For the company, let her yell at me.” “But the bigger picture is important. How can we treat a company project like a joke…?” “Scarlett, why are you so petty? You need to have a broader mindset in business, don’t always target people. It’s ridiculous.” “Yeah, I genuinely think Chloe’s plan is pretty innovative.” “Besides, our company is a true leader in the industry. We should be pioneers, break new ground! If we don’t dare to, are we supposed to let smaller companies take the lead?” “Exactly. For safety, I think we really can’t let Scarlett go. What if something goes wrong? If the company loses money, I’d have to kill myself!” As they piled on the accusations, Alexander tenderly wiped away Chloe’s tears, then slammed down the gavel, as if pronouncing my death sentence: “Then take her phone and lock her in the basement storage.” A chilling dread spread through me. My blood ran cold, and I couldn’t stop trembling. I slowly crouched down, covering my ears with my hands. There was a ringing in my ears. Not the sound of a broken light, but that high-pitched whistle from my memories. When I was five, I was kidnapped and held in a place just like this. No lights, no sounds, no people. I almost went insane then. Though I made it home alive, I’ve suffered from severe claustrophobia ever since. With light and a window, I can manage for a while. But in a truly enclosed space, after just ten minutes, I’ll completely break down. Alexander knew about this. He had held me then, his face full of heartache, promising me over and over that he would never leave me alone in a place like that again, not in this lifetime. “No,” I said, looking desperately at Alexander, who was coldly watching from the crowd. “Alexander, how can you lock me in the storage room? I promise I won’t do anything. Don’t lock me in…” I was dragged inside by several grown men, my fingers gripping the doorframe tightly. The unfiled edges tore at my flesh, drawing blood, but I refused to let go. In my terror, I abandoned my dignity, begging pitifully: “Alexander, I can’t be locked in the storage room. I’ll die, I really will die…” Some colleagues, seeing my horrific state, felt a pang of pity: “Alex, if it’s really necessary, just have a few people watch her. Don’t lock her in.” Alexander’s expression softened, perhaps remembering my claustrophobia, and he was about to give in, but the next second, a soft arm wrapped around his. Chloe looked up at Alexander, gently shaking his arm, pouting: “If we just have people watching, she’ll have too much freedom to move. What if she runs away?” “Besides, we’re just restricting her movement, it’s not like we’re not giving her food. What could possibly happen? She’s reacting so violently, she must have some plan she’s trying to sabotage, right? Can we really just let her walk away now?!” “No, Alexander, you know I have claustrophobia…” My face was ashen as I tried to defend myself. “Oh, come on, Scarlett. You’ve read too many novels. There’s a limit to making up stories.” “This basement has lights, it’s not even dark, what are you afraid of?” “Besides, you should face your fears directly, it helps with desensitization. I’m doing this for your own good. Why are you so unwilling to go in? Is it because you’re planning to ruin the wedding we worked so hard on?” At that, everyone fell silent. Alexander himself pried my fingers off, one by one, and shoved me inside.
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