I, Audra Mills, the company’s star translator, willingly passed on the biggest project of the year—a nine-figure deal—to the receptionist, Phoebe Wells. I did this only because, in my previous life, my fiancé Carter’s high-school dropout "childhood sweetheart" had suddenly claimed mastery of eight languages through self-study. I used to spend two weeks researching every obscure technical term before a translation, yet Phoebe could perform flawless, one-hundred-percent-accurate simultaneous interpretation simply by speaking off the cuff. The office buzzed with admiration for her "genius," and I was quickly whispered about as an overpaid fraud. It all came to a head when I was two weeks deep into preparation for that massive project, running on four hours of sleep, ready to step onto the stage. Phoebe blocked my path. “Audra, this isn’t the time for you to grandstand. This contract is critical for the company’s IPO. Your foundation isn’t as solid as mine; it should be me.” Carter and my colleagues—the very people I had trained and worked alongside for years—unanimously agreed with Phoebe. I fought for my right to the job, but I was forcibly replaced. Phoebe executed the translation brilliantly, becoming the company’s hero overnight. I, meanwhile, was demoted to the mailroom, citing "insufficient professional capability." I couldn't understand it. How could ten years of disciplined, agonizing work lose to Phoebe's sudden, unexplained talent? In a daze, consumed by professional grief, I slipped, fell, and drowned. In those final, chilling moments before I died, I heard her voice: I can only do it because I’m listening to your thoughts. When I opened my eyes, I was back. Back to the day Phoebe Wells first claimed she was fluent in eight languages. This time, I didn't spend the night pouring over technical briefs. Instead, I lay in bed, quietly reciting the Declaration of Independence in my mind. … “Audra, congratulations! First place in the monthly review—again!” “Three-peat! That’s incredible!” My colleagues surrounded me, applauding. Standing in the middle of the crowd, I felt a flicker of disorientation. The scene was playing out exactly as it had before. The host cleared his throat and announced, “Our champion for this month’s assessment is, once again, Audra Mills…” “Hold on.” Phoebe stepped out from the periphery. “I signed up for this assessment too. Why don’t you let me try?” The chilling familiarity of the moment sent a shiver down my spine. My colleagues eyed Phoebe with suspicion. “This isn’t a game, Phoebe. You haven’t studied translation. The barrier to entry for this field is massive.” Phoebe pouted. “It doesn’t look hard to me. And who said I haven’t studied? Is it a crime that I taught myself eight languages at home this month?” A few people chuckled. “Self-taught? Even Audra, our ace, studied diligently for a decade. How could someone with zero background manage that?” “Don’t make a spectacle of yourself, Phoebe. If you can translate a single sentence perfectly, I’ll take you out to dinner.” They laughed, no one taking her seriously. Only I knew that in the last timeline, in this very moment, Phoebe had rattled off translations in eight languages without effort. Phoebe turned, linking her arm through Carter’s. “C’mon, Carter. Just let me try! I registered, and if you don’t let me participate, I’ll complain to HR about unfair assessment rules!” Carter James, a man who usually lived and breathed pedigree and credentials, showed no objection. He looked down at her with a sickeningly indulgent gaze. “I give up with you, Pheebs. Go ahead and try.” At Carter’s nod, the host reluctantly began to quiz Phoebe. What happened next was stunning. Question after question, whether in French or Spanish, Phoebe translated rapidly and with unnerving accuracy. The room’s expressions shifted from mockery to stunned amazement. It came down to the final round: simultaneous interpretation. As the host finished reading a complex German passage, Phoebe opened her mouth and spoke a flawless stream of the language. “...affecting androgen receptor inhibitors, directly targeting the ligand-binding domain. This can be used to treat patients with metastatic prostate cancer immediately.” The room erupted in applause. “Phoebe, you’ve been holding out! Your level is practically on par with Audra’s!” Someone else, more experienced, asked, “Even Audra needs a notepad sometimes for simultaneous work. How can you, a complete novice, be so fluid?” Phoebe widened her eyes in feigned surprise. “Isn’t translation just saying what you hear? Maybe Audra’s getting old; her memory naturally can’t keep up with a younger person. Taking notes is understandable.” She stuck out her tongue playfully. “Oh, Audra, did that sound too blunt? I didn’t mean anything by it, honestly!” I smiled. A cool, thin smile. While Phoebe was translating, I had subtly, intentionally mistranslated one crucial technical term in my own mind. Phoebe had parroted that exact, erroneous word. It confirmed my suspicion. She hadn't magically mastered eight languages overnight. Thinking back to her unfocused, glassy-eyed look during the translation, I realized she wasn't processing the source language at all. She was simply reciting my internal monologue. If that’s the game we’re playing, then I had a spectacular gift waiting for her. The host looked uncomfortable. “Well, Audra and Phoebe are tied for first place. So, the champion this month…” Carter frowned. Phoebe’s lips curled up in a confident smile. “Since it’s a tie, Audra, do you have the confidence to face me in a tie-breaker?” Phoebe’s challenge drew everyone’s attention. Carter was about to speak when I preempted him. I laughed gently. “No need. I concede.” The room erupted in gasps. Carter froze, clearly taken aback. He knew how seriously I took my profession and assumed I would never pass up a contest of skill. I repeated myself. “I withdraw.” He didn't know that last time, full of competitive spirit, I had participated, only to be beaten at every turn because Phoebe simply spoke the answer I was preparing a split-second before I could. My decade of hard work had been turned into a joke. I wouldn't let that happen again. Phoebe tried to provoke me. “Audra, you’re our star translator. Are you really going to back out of a challenge against a little front-desk girl? That’s embarrassing, isn't it?” She tossed her hair. “Why don't you quiz me again? See what level my skills are at. Can I compare to you?” I gave her a knowing look. “Your level is much higher than mine, Phoebe. I’d say at least Level Thirteen.” Phoebe proudly puffed out her chest. “Of course it is! My skill—” Everyone in the room burst into laughter. “Level Thirteen? Hahaha! What kind of certification is Level Thirteen?” “You!” Phoebe’s face turned bright red and purple with fury. She stamped her foot. “Enough!” Carter roared, glaring at me with undisguised displeasure. “There’s a limit to your sarcasm, Audra! Are you proud of yourself because you have a few certificates? You know Phoebe doesn’t understand your technical jargon, yet you still bully a young woman. Have some dignity!” I dug my nails into my palm, anchoring myself. The laughter in the room instantly died. The host managed a weak smile. “Perhaps we should declare co-champions this month?” Carter’s voice was sharp. “Co-champions? Audra has been studying for years. Phoebe started this month. The difference is clear!” At Carter’s insistence, the host announced Phoebe as the sole champion. Colleagues immediately swarmed her with congratulations. Phoebe cheered and hugged Carter. Carter glanced at me, coughed awkwardly, and gently pushed back a step. I scoffed internally. Leaning into Carter, Phoebe looked at me and gave a mischievous, challenging wink. “Audra, I think I’ve proven myself. Can I come along this afternoon for the big German business meeting?” I frowned, instinctively about to refuse. “No…” Phoebe’s eyes instantly welled up. “Audra, I know you look down on my lack of education. But I’ve studied non-stop to try and help Carter and the company. Are you going to deny me even the right to learn?” Carter pulled her closer, his expression softening with sympathy, and he rounded on me. “Phoebe is trying to help the company! Why are you so determined to shut people out?!” The surrounding colleagues chimed in. “Audra, you’re being selfish. What difference does Phoebe’s talent make to you?” “Yeah, can’t you give a new employee a chance? That’s so petty.” They threw accusations at me from all sides. I calmly finished my sentence. “I was going to say, ‘No problem, I was just thinking she should come along to learn.’” The room fell silent, the colleagues shifting uncomfortably and quickly changing the subject. Phoebe looked at me, a cryptic gleam in her eye. “Audra, don’t worry. I’ll be sure to really learn.” In the afternoon, we arrived at the venue. Our partner, a long-term client named Mr. Peterson, was hosting the meeting. Once everyone was seated, the meeting began. I was entirely focused, taking notes and marking key terms on my pad. As the German speaker finished a long technical segment, I took a breath, ready to speak. A fluid, rapid translation cut me off from behind. “...utilized for the treatment of patients who have received a novel endocrine agent, showing significant improvement. Key endpoints included overall survival and time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy.” I whipped my head around. Phoebe, who was supposed to be quietly observing, was delivering the translation at speed. For the rest of the meeting, every single time I opened my mouth to translate, Phoebe would snatch the floor, continuing to translate flawlessly. I didn’t manage to get a single word in. When Phoebe finally finished the last sentence, looking incredibly pleased with herself, applause broke out. She then covered her mouth in mock surprise. “Oh, I am so sorry! I was just here to learn, but I got so engrossed. It just slipped out.” She beamed at me. “Audra, you don't mind, do you?” Carter was clapping enthusiastically. “She minds nothing! You were brilliant, Phoebe! Translation is a meritocracy!” Mr. Peterson also praised her warmly. “Audra usually handles our accounts, and she’s excellent, but for a newcomer, you’re incredibly fluid. You must have done an enormous amount of private preparation for this meeting, right?” Phoebe just smiled sweetly. “Preparation? You don’t need any. Translation is just saying what you hear.” She tapped her head. “When you’re skilled, it’s just instinct, like eating or drinking.” Peterson looked surprised. “Audra, as a senior translator, always asks for our documentation a week in advance. You really didn’t prepare at all?” Phoebe blinked innocently. “Even though I’m new, I know everyone is busy. I wouldn’t bother people by asking for documents. Some people just drag things out for days to prove their professionalism, even when it’s an easy, one-shot translation.” I frowned. That was nonsense. As a translator, you handle specialized terms from countless industries. Researching beforehand is essential professionalism. Before I could correct her, Peterson’s gaze on me hardened. “From now on, all our company’s translation work will go through Phoebe. Some people like to make a show of their effort! Our company doesn’t have the budget for that kind of attitude.” I was speechless, standing there, unfairly condemned. Carter was quick to agree with him. Back at the office, Carter heaped praise on Phoebe and announced her promotion from receptionist to full-time translator. She was immediately given her own corner office. Carter proudly declared it a reward for her "outstanding performance" at the meeting. I scoffed internally. I’d completed dozens of zero-fault, high-stakes negotiations of that size over the years. I’d worked here for a decade and still shared a cubicle. I said nothing, burying my head back in my work. Over the next few weeks, Phoebe continued to use the same tactic, seizing the spotlight in every translation, always relying on my preparation. I, in turn, worked even harder, meticulously preparing every document, just for her benefit. Finally, the day before the massive nine-figure project presentation arrived. I was conspicuously hunched over my desk, cross-referencing industry-specific jargon. A colleague rolled their eyes. “If you don’t have the talent, don’t take the job. Phoebe just translates it directly; why waste everyone’s time with this act?” Phoebe giggled, covering her mouth. “Audra, what’s the point of looking at all that? You spent twelve years studying and you still can’t compare to my one month of self-study.” The colleagues immediately launched into more gushing praise for Phoebe. I frowned, playing the role of the troubled professional. “You’re right. There’s no point arguing about it.” I sighed heavily. “Since you’ve proven you’re enough, maybe I shouldn’t even go tomorrow.” “No!” Phoebe shrieked the single word, immediately earning confused stares. She quickly adjusted her expression, forcing a smile. “I… I just meant that Audra might gain valuable experience at a conference this size, in case she needs it later.” Carter also frowned, displeased. “What’s with the drama, Audra? Is it not a fact that you can’t keep up with Phoebe? Who are you trying to threaten by saying you won’t go? If you don’t want to, then don’t go!” I remained silent. Phoebe, however, was visibly desperate. “Carter, please let Audra come. I haven't done a conference this big before. If Audra is there, we can learn from each other!” My colleagues were disgusted by her generosity. “Phoebe, she prepares for half a day just to put on a show! She’s the one who needs to learn from you! You’re too kind to her.” Phoebe pleaded with Carter until he finally gave in. “Fine! For Phoebe’s sake, I’ll give you one last chance. You have three minutes to pack up and get downstairs. Be one second late, and you’re out.” Phoebe stared at me intently, terrified I would say no. I slowly gathered my things. “Alright. I’ll go.” She finally let out the breath she was holding. The next day, as we arrived at the conference hall and the translators were being positioned, Phoebe reached out and stopped me. “Wait!” She gave a look of false sincerity. “I’ve thought about it, and I think I should handle the translation.” “These minor skirmishes we’ve had, I’ve been willing to let you share the stage. But this contract is too important. This isn’t the time for you to grandstand, Audra. Your foundation isn’t as solid as mine; it should be me.” I was about to speak, but Carter immediately approved. “She’s right! This meeting is vital for the company. There can be no mistakes.” He turned to me, his voice sharp with accusation. “Audra, you should be thanking Phoebe. She’s stepping up to cover for you. If your mistake costs us the IPO, you’ll be the company’s culprit. How will you explain that to the board?” I let out a cold laugh. Ten years of dedicated work, reduced to a liability. When the company started, I worked four or five translating jobs a day, standing for nine hours straight, just to build our reputation. Now I was the culprit, and Phoebe was the savior who’d stolen my job and demanded my gratitude. Seeing my lack of movement, my colleagues mocked me. “Seriously, Audra, you aren’t thinking of fighting Phoebe for this job, are you?” “Phoebe brought you here to learn. Don’t be so ungrateful!” “Forget professional skills, Phoebe is much more pleasant to look at. Just look at yourself—you’ve got rings under your eyes the size of a raccoon’s!” I raised a hand and touched the dark circles—trophies of my late-night research, now just ammunition for their insults. In my previous life, I would have argued fiercely. Now… I looked around the room and smiled faintly. “I have no objection,” I said, stepping away from the translator’s booth. “I just hope you all take responsibility for your choice. And don’t regret it.” My colleagues laughed it off, saying I was being melodramatic. Carter sneered. “I told her to take the stage. If there are any problems, I’ll take full responsibility.” I didn’t argue. I stepped aside and let Phoebe take my place. Phoebe leaned toward me, a triumphant look in her eye. “Audra, this was always your spot, and you used to make such a fuss if anyone got close. I’m not used to you being this quiet! But you have to admit the difference in talent. It took you twelve years to get here; it took me one month.” She leaned back in the booth. “Just watch and learn how a real translator works.” I ignored her. The meeting began. Phoebe sat confidently in the translator’s position. Carter and the others gestured encouragement from the audience. In the next moment, Phoebe’s face took on a look of intense concentration. This focused, serious expression made Carter sigh with pride. “Phoebe truly was born for this job. She gives everything her all.” The colleagues murmured in agreement. Then Phoebe opened her mouth. “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature…” Every person in the conference room stared, eyes wide.
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