I became my sister’s stand-in

chapter 3

That night's conversation, Andre and I both pretended it never happened.

Tiffany started working at Andre's company.

She immediately became my direct supervisor.

I took her around, familiarizing her with company procedures, but she just looked at me impatiently.

"This is boring. That's enough."

"But, there's still" I tried to explain, but she cut me off.

"Isn't that what you're for? Don't you, my subordinate, have the ability to assist your superior's work?"

Tiffany rolled her eyes at me, then smiled again.

"Oh, right. All you're good for is pleasing men in bed."

The moment those words left her mouth, the office fell silent.

Everyone around us gasped, covering their mouths in shock and awkwardness.

But Tiffany still wasn't satisfied.

She walked closer, her heels clicking, looking down at me.

"What? Haven't you told your colleagues that your mother was a home-wrecker? You and your mother, you're two peas in a pod."

"My mother isn't a mistress," I retorted, meeting her gaze.

She covered her mouth and scoffed.

"You're still denying it? Right, people like you are so shameless."

The spectacle quickly spread throughout the company.

After work, Andre called me to his office.

His office was also filled with some of his friends.

They all looked at me with mocking expressions.

I thought Andre would issue a public statement to stop the rumors.

But he only said:

"You shouldn't have made your sister angry."

I bit my lip, trying hard to hold back tears.

Andre continued,

"Your sister has been very good to you. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't even have had money for college Lena, you need to be grateful."

I looked up, my eyes red-rimmed.

Yes, I knew.

If it weren't for Tiffany, we wouldn't have received financial support from Andre's family.

Dad would have died long ago from lack of medical funds.

And I would have dropped out of school early due to poverty.

Now, Andre's lecture was just to make sure I didn't resent Tiffany.

As I left the office, I could still hear the laughter inside.

"Oh, Andre, you're really ruthless. She's such a delicate beauty, how could you be so harsh?"

"Yeah, aren't you afraid you'll actually scare her off?"

"Even though Lena is more soft-willed and has no bottom line compared to her sister, she really is so obedient to you."

Andre replied nonchalantly.

"She's nothing like Tiffany. They're like night and day, really."

"If she didn't look so much like Tiffany, why would I even keep her around?"

At those words, another burst of laughter erupted.

I quickened my pace, escaping in a hurry.

That project was ultimately given to Tiffany by Andre.

Tiffany just signed her name at the end, and all the credit went to her.

She instantly became a rising star in the industry.

When people spoke of her as an industry new star, they couldn't help but mention me.

"These two sisters, one is a daring and ambitious woman, and the other is just a clinging vine who attaches herself to power."

"Lena Harvey just rode on her sister's coattails and isn't even grateful."

The rumors, like vines, tightly wrapped around my neck, constricting more and more.

At the celebration banquet.

Tiffany was surrounded by people.

She held a champagne glass, smiling radiantly.

Someone raised a toast in praise.

"Ms. Williams is truly capable! Our CEO is so lucky to have such a brilliant and capable partner by his side."

Andre smiled in response.

But his gaze unconsciously swept over the crowd and met mine.

I smiled at him and turned to leave.

I didn't see his tightly furrowed brows after I left.

I moved through the banquet like a transparent person.

Tiffany was a born leading lady; even stolen credit she could explain away eloquently and righteously.

As for me, I didn't even have the right to defend myself.

Tiffany's reputation soared.

Andre's family elders softened their stance, stating that as long as Tiffany performed well in the next quarter, she would be allowed to join the family.

Upon hearing this, Tiffany put on a proud and aloof act, as if deeply insulted.

"Do you think I should be happy? What's so great about you? You just have better luck than me."

"I won't exert myself to please you just to get into the Morley family."

"I study hard, I work hard, it's all for myself, and has nothing to do with anyone else."

Her words left Andre's family elders with pale faces, completely speechless.

Andre quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

His eyes were full of admiration for Tiffany.

"Tiffany is just like that, real and unpretentious. Grandpa, please don't take it to heart."

I stood by, watching the scene, finding it utterly absurd.

From then on, Tiffany thrived like a fish in water.

Andre indulged her every whim.

Tiffany never hid her dislike for me.

She deliberately transferred me to a peripheral department, where I handled insignificant chores every day.

People who used to work closely with me gradually distanced themselves.

I didn't care about any of this; I just quietly worked, trying to earn as much as I could.

Dad's recovery was going very well.

I planned to take him away from this city once he was discharged from the hospital.

The prerequisite was having enough money.

Tiffany didn't remain smug for long.

Andre had spoiled her, making her too self-confident and a bit too impatient for quick results.

On an overseas project, Tiffany, in her pursuit of speed, skipped the risk assessment and signed the contract directly.

As a result, Andre's company not only had to freeze hundreds of millions in initial investment but also had to pay double the penalty for breach of contract.

When the news reached the company, the entire conference room fell silent.

I sighed.

I had warned Tiffany to do a risk assessment.

But she had scoffed at the time, "What I choose to do is none of your business."

That day, Andre called me into his office.

He looked at me, silent for a long time.

I had probably already guessed what he was going to say.

I smiled and spoke first, "I understand what you mean."

He nodded.

"Everyone is watching. Someone has to step up and take responsibility for this."

I said nothing more.

Andre paused, carefully choosing his words.

"Tiffany lacks experience; it's inevitable she'd make mistakes. And you, as her subordinate, didn't properly advise her, which is your fault to begin with."

"She looks strong, but she's really just a little girl who cries a lot. If people start pointing fingers and blaming her, I'm afraid she"

He didn't finish his sentence, but I understood.

I looked up, "Okay."

Consider it repayment for his kindness.

Andre nodded in satisfaction, pulled a document from his drawer, and placed it in front of me.

"This is a statement. It specifies that you concealed risk data during the follow-up, which led to the project failure."

I hadn't hesitated at first, but at the crucial moment, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Concealing risk data, what a serious charge.

If the company pursued legal action, I could go to jail.

He sighed, speaking casually.

"I won't let you go to jail, don't worry."

I laughed.

My laughter echoed in the office, sounding particularly ironic.

"Alright."

I lowered my head, signing my name with careful strokes.

As soon as I walked out of the office, I ran straight into Tiffany.

Her face was a bit haggard, but her makeup was flawless.

"You shouldn't feel like it's unfair. If you hadn't deliberately neglected to warn me, I wouldn't have made such a huge mistake."

I ignored her, walking straight past her.

I pulled my clothes tighter. The air conditioning made me shiver.

My phone vibrated thena call from the hospital.

"Ms. Harvey, your father is doing very well. He can be discharged next week."

"Okay, thank you."

I stumbled into the stairwell, crouched down, covered my face, and cried, trying to muffle the sound.

I submitted my resignation to the company that day.

HR was a bit surprised.

"But Mr. Morley didn't say he was firing you."

"This is what he wants."

Seeing my reply, HR didn't say anything more.

After all, everyone knew I had "made a big mistake."

Andre found out about my resignation a few days later.

At the time, I was at the hospital, accompanying my father.

Andre called.

"I didn't tell you to resign."

"This is the best solution," I replied.

He fell silent on the other end.

After a long pause, he spoke again.

"Alright, you can lay low for a while. Once this blows over, I'll transfer you to another position."

"No need to trouble yourself."

I was very polite.

Andre caught the hint of distance in my tone.

He sounded displeased.

"Are you blaming me?"

"No, Mr. Morley. You've been kind to me. If anything, I should be thanking you. Why would I blame you?"

I felt a little weak.

Everything that had happened recently had truly exhausted me.

"I owe you nothing. From now on, we're even."

The sun shone down, warm and comforting.

In the distance, car horns blared.

I left the hospital with my father, heading for the airport, ready to start a new life.