Chapter 3

To ensure everyone could enjoy their holiday break, the entire team was working overtime to meet the deadline. Just as we were about to finish, the power suddenly went out.

“What’s going on?”

“What happened? My proposal! I didn’t save it!”

“Quick, check the circuit breaker!”

The office descended into chaos.

Then Mandy strolled in, calm as ever, looking down at us with an air of superiority.

“Do you think the company’s electricity is free? Stop trying to take advantage of company resources! If your work isn’t finished, that’s on you for being inefficient. Why don’t you all just work from home?

“As long as you’re using company electricity, I have every right to cut the power. Hmph, someone needs to fix your bad habits! Air conditioning, computers, even charging your phones—do you have any idea how expensive commercial electricity is?”

I had enough. Slamming my hand on the desk, I stood up and pointed a finger at her, my voice boiling with anger.

“Mandy Watson, are you out of your mind? I’ve put up with you for far too long! The company isn’t going broke over a bit of electricity! Do you even realize that by cutting the power, you’ve wiped out all the work we’ve been slaving over for days? What the hell are you doing? Honestly, why did the company even hire you? Get out of here!”

The other employees didn’t hold back either.

“What’s her problem? She thinks she’s the boss or something?”

“Unbelievable! Who does she think she is?”

Mandy stubbornly jutted out her chin and snapped back, “I was personally appointed by Mr. Hart. You don’t have the authority to fire me!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Daniel approaching. As soon as she saw him, Mandy immediately switched gears, her expression turning pitiful.

"I was only trying to save the company some money. I’m not like all of you who grew up in the city. I’ve lived a life of poverty and struggle while you’ve had the privilege of luxury. But I…”

She trailed off, tears welling up in her eyes as she played the victim.

Daniel leaned in and whispered to me, “Mandy’s just too frugal. It’s all because of her difficult upbringing. Can’t you cut her some slack? Everyone’s watching—don’t make a scene.”

His defense of her made my gaze turn ice-cold.

“How ridiculous,” I said with a sharp laugh. “Her hardships aren’t my fault. Why should I have to tolerate her behavior?”

Seeing I wasn’t willing to back down, Daniel’s face hardened instantly.

“Yuna, don’t go too far. Mandy didn’t mean any harm. She was just trying to save the company money. Her intentions were good; it’s just her approach that was a bit off. Mandy, why don’t you apologize, and we’ll call it even?”

“Miss Jones, isn’t a simple ‘sorry’ enough?”

Mandy’s words sounded like an apology, but her expression told a different story. If anything, there was a smug glint in her eyes, as if she was secretly pleased with herself.

“Just an apology? That’s it? A casual ‘sorry’ is supposed to make up for all the hard work everyone’s put in over the past few days? Does that seem fair to you?”

“What do you want, then?” Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose, his tone showing a trace of impatience.

“She goes, or I go.”

I locked eyes with him, my gaze unwavering and my expression serious.

“Yuna, do you have to be so unreasonable? Mandy has already apologized. Can’t you just let it go?” Daniel’s face darkened, and his voice carried a tinge of anger.

“Let her go! If she doesn’t leave, this company is going to end up ruined—look at this!”

The sudden voice startled everyone as Daniel's mother, Grace Hills, stormed into the office, slamming a stack of papers onto the desk with a loud thud.

“Mom, what are you doing here? What’s this?” Daniel asked, frowning in confusion as he picked up the papers.

Grace let out an annoyed huff. “Take a look and see for yourself! Thank goodness for Mandy’s thoroughness. Otherwise, you’d still be in the dark! Look at how much money this woman has spent!”

Daniel’s expression grew darker with each page he flipped through.

Mandy seized the opportunity to pile on. “Mr. Hart, your money doesn’t grow on trees. You’ve worked so hard to earn it—it’s not meant to be squandered like this! Miss Jones, with your reckless spending, you’re going to bankrupt this company sooner or later!”

She finished with a disdainful glance in my direction, shaking her head as if I were a lost cause.

I was baffled by the accusation, so I grabbed the papers to see for myself. As I skimmed through the contents, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh—one that was equal parts anger and disbelief.