After Rebirth I Watched a Female Intern Lose a Billion Dollar Deal With One AI Order Chapter 02

After Rebirth I Watched a Female Intern Lose a Billion Dollar Deal With One AI Order Chapter 02

The room went dead silent.

By the time Marcus snapped out of it, I was already at the door.

“Elena!” His voice chased after me, sharp and shrill. “What the hell is your attitude?! You’re really going to throw Harrison in my face?”

“And so what if you’re management?!”

“Management should be setting the example!”

I paused, my lips curving into a dry smirk. “Didn’t Tessa already book it? If it’s booked, what do you need me for?”

I didn’t bother looking back. I walked straight to my office and shut the door.

I sank into my chair and stared at the framed photo on my desk—me and my mom. For a moment, nothing felt real.

In my last life, that video spread everywhere. Mom fought through the crowd of influencers and reporters, tears streaming down her face. “My daughter is not like that! Stop filming!”

“She was forced into this! She’s scared! Leave her alone!”

“I believe in her!”

But Marcus shoved her aside. “Ma’am, I’ve been her boss long enough to know exactly who she is. I used to watch her climb into some guy’s car after work almost every night—disgusting.”

“But I never thought she’d be trashy enough to bring random men into the office and film that kind of garbage. It’s a complete embarrassment to this company.”

“That’s why I’m here today—to fire her on behalf of the company.”

At his words, the crowd surged forward.

Mom stumbled, clutching her chest as she doubled over.

I tried to scream. “Stop! Someone call an ambulance! My mom has a heart condition! Please!”

Marcus glanced at me and sneered. “Save the act. Trying to score sympathy points now?”

“Actually, it makes sense. Your mom was probably loose back in the day—that’s why she raised you alone. Runs in the family, right?”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Mom kept trying to get up, to stop them from hurting me. Each time, they knocked her back down.

Finally, she was on the ground, her lips white, one hand still gripping my sleeve. “Elena… Mommy couldn’t protect you…”

Just thinking about it made my chest ache.

I pulled the frame close and held it.

This time, I didn’t care what happened to Tessa.

As long as my mom was safe, that was enough.

I set the photo back down and was about to open my laptop when the conference room door swung open.

People filed out. A few glanced through my glass wall, then snickered under their breath.

“Look at Elena, acting like the company can’t function without her.”

“Please. The look on her face—she’s just scared Tessa showed her up and she’s already bailing.”

“Right? Senior manager can’t even keep up with an intern. Embarrassing.”

They didn’t even bother lowering their voices.

A cluster gathered around Tessa, their excitement obvious. “Tessa, congrats! Marcus said you saved the day on this one. After the dinner, they’re making you team lead!”

“Most people grind for three years to get that—you’re skipping the line.”

Tessa giggled. “Please, it was nothing. Just a few taps on my phone.”

Then she swayed into my office, hands on her hips. “Elena, when do you think you’ll have time to move out?”