Lina's attempts to undermine me escalated. She orchestrated meetings, planted false information, and subtly tried to manipulate clients. I expected it and countered each move with precision.
The first encounter happened during a crucial board meeting. Lina attempted to present flawed data, hoping to embarrass me in front of senior executives. I calmly interrupted, correcting every error, explaining the implications, and proposing a superior alternative.
The room gasped. Lina froze, her face draining of color. Aaron's lips parted, caught between admiration and panic. My family, who had once doubted me, now watched silently, unable to intervene.
The ally leaned over my shoulder after the meeting, whispering, "You're learning fast. And you're ruthless when you need to be."
I smiled faintly, savoring the victory. Revenge tasted sweet, but power tasted even sweeter. And I was just getting started.