Chapter 1

"Charlotte Parker, the company has decided to negotiate the termination of your employment contract."

HR Director Rebecca Hayes's voice was calm.

"What's the reason?" I asked.

"Department restructuring," she replied.

I laughed.

Three months ago, when my colleague Jessica Morgan got pregnant, the company gave her a year of paid leave.

The day after I got pregnant, I was laid off.

"Don't worry, the company will give you $20,000 in severance."

I'd worked at this company for six years, and she was only offering $20,000?!

"Fine," I stood up. "But I should remind you—Stellar Group is renewing their contract next week, and I haven't handed over the files yet."

Rebecca's face froze.

I turned and walked out.

An $18 million annual contract—how were they going to close that deal without me?

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The conference room door closed behind me.

I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. My palms were sweaty.

At the end of the hallway, Miranda stood at the break room entrance. When she saw me come out, she walked over slowly, cup in hand.

"Charlotte, all done?"

Her tone was casual, like she was asking what I had for lunch.

"Miranda," I looked at her, "I want to know why."

"Why what?"

"Three months ago, when Jessica got pregnant, you gave her paid leave." I stared into her eyes. "But the day after I got pregnant, I got called in for termination talks."

Miranda smiled.

"Charlotte, you make it sound like the company is targeting you."

She took a sip of coffee, then continued: "Jessica's situation is different from yours."

"How is it different?"

"She had a high-risk pregnancy and needed rest. You don't."

"That still doesn't justify calling me in for termination the very next day, does it?" I suppressed my anger. "I've been here for six years. I've handled the Stellar Group project from start to finish, all by myself."

A flicker passed through Miranda's eyes.

"So?"

She put down her cup and leaned closer. "Charlotte, let me be honest with you. The company can't afford dead weight."

"If you're pregnant, you'll need at least six months off, right? Who's going to handle the project?"

"I can work remotely while on leave—"

"Will the client agree to that?" She cut me off.

"Don't get emotional. This is the company's decision, not something I can control alone."

I clenched my fists.

"What about Jessica? She's taking leave too. Why does she get to stay?"

Miranda's expression changed—something subtle, an uncomfortable look of being called out.

"Her situation..."

"How is her situation different?" I pressed. "She's only been here a year, hasn't run a single project. Why does she get leave when she's pregnant, while I get fired?"

Miranda was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Charlotte Parker, you're competent, but you think too highly of yourself."

She turned to leave, leaving me with one sentence:

"The company can function without anyone."

I stood in the hallway, watching her walk away.

My phone vibrated. A message from my husband: 【How did it go?】

I didn't reply, because I saw someone else.

Jessica emerged from Miranda's office, holding a document. When she saw me, she hesitated, then walked over with a smile.

"Charlotte, I heard you're not feeling well and need to take some time off?"

Her belly was already slightly rounded.

And the document in her hand—I could see the header: 【Stellar Group 2024 Annual Contract Renewal Proposal】.

That was my proposal. I'd worked on it for three months and just finalized it last week.

Except my name had been crossed out and replaced with hers.

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