Numbers Never Lie

Chapter one

Tess Schmidt, a 32-year-old woman residing in Detroit, possessed exceptional intelligence and resourcefulness. Her career in finance had made her a well-compensated corporate shark responsible for deal-making. However, her life was shadowed by a congenital heart disease that left her breathless even after the slightest physical effort. Tess was left as a baby at the orphanage's doorstep with a note that said: "This is my daughter Tess. She has congenital heart disease, and I can't afford treatments. Please take care of her."

Her childhood spent in an orphanage had deprived her of proper medical care and left her without any knowledge about her background.

Due to her condition, she couldn't participate in physical education classes, often sitting alone on a bench, engrossed in books or tackling advanced math problems that exceeded her age. Numbers and equations were her true passion, and she excelled in the subject. However, her inability to engage in physical activities made her a target for teasing by other kids.

During breaks, Tess continued to do what she loved most – reading and working on challenging math problems. Tess was adopted at 9 years old by the wealthy Sarah and David Schmidt. It was quite surprising since most couples preferred to adopt cute chubby babies. Tess looked frail, and she was considered to be too old for adoption by most. Sarah and David gave Tess a loving home and paid for her two surgeries on an open heart Tess had in her childhood and teens. Her adoptive parents also helped her thrive intellectually. They recognized Tess's potential and made sure she had the best education. Tess studied economics at Yale and graduated with honors even though she had to undergo a third operation in her 20s. Despite surgical interventions, Tess's heart was in bad shape, and she had to take a laundry list of medications to keep it functioning.

Her unwavering dedication paid off, and she found herself earning more money than she had ever dreamed of. She drove a sleek black sports car, lived in a nice apartment in Detroit, and took immense satisfaction in her job, especially the adrenaline that came from skillfully negotiating billion-dollar contracts.

Tess preferred the company of numbers to people most of the time. She had some acquaintances at work, but no real close friends, and her social life outside of work was almost non-existent. Tess woke up early every day, brewed her coffee, and prepared for meetings or worked on paperwork. She was always a perfectionist, a trait she had developed through life's tough lessons that nothing came for free. Tess had worked hard for everything she achieved and was proud of her self-made success.

On this particular day, Tess followed her usual morning routine, donning her designer suit and matching heels, styling her short dark-blonde hair, and enhancing her light-blue eyes with makeup. Fashion was Tess's indulgence, and she could afford to look sharp, often drawing comparisons to a supermodel. She grabbed her expensive bag containing notes for the upcoming meeting and headed to her sleek sports car, prepared for another day in the office.

Upon arriving, her assistant Sally Anderson greeted her with a familiar smile. Sally was the only person Tess trusted in the whole company. She was also the closest person she had to a real friend. However, today was different. The company had just welcomed a new recruit, an ambitious man in his 20s named Ryan Williams, who was tasked with overseeing the marketing department. Tess couldn't shake the feeling that he might be eyeing her prestigious position in finance. Despite her valuable skills and expertise, her heart condition made her health vulnerable in stressful situations, which could lead the higher-ups to consider a younger, healthier replacement. Ryan's ambition was evident, but Tess refused to be underestimated. He appeared to be outgoing and socializing with co-workers from various departments, a stark contrast to Tess's introverted nature. She wasn't a team player, but at least she was honest about it. She recognized his friendliness but was well-acquainted with this type, someone who wouldn't hesitate to betray others if it benefited them. She knew that Ryan wasn't making friends but potential allies for climbing the corporate ladder. He most likely heard about Tess's illness from somebody and considered her an easy target to replace.

She wouldn't go down without a fight. If Ryan decided to challenge her, she was ready to prove that her position was well-deserved. While there may be slogans about the freshness of youth, Tess wasn't one to be fooled. She had earned her place through relentless determination. Her body might be fragile, but her mind remained as sharp as ever. Let the games begin. The queen of the boardroom can't risk falling off her throne.