Chapter 2

Noxin Technologies was a company Daniel and I had founded together.

I had stood by him from the very beginning, when it was just a small studio with only a handful of people, helping it grow step by step into the rising tech giant it was today.

Mandy, on the other hand, was the newest intern at the company.

Frankly, her resume shouldn’t have made the cut, but she managed to corner Daniel in the elevator, stumbling and nearly falling over herself, before launching into a tearful, impassioned speech.

The gist of it was how hard her life had been—growing up in a rural town, supporting her aging parents, and caring for her younger brother.

“Mr. Hart, I desperately need this opportunity,” she pleaded, bowing deeply at a perfect 90-degree angle, tears splashing onto the floor like shattered glass.

The whole scene was, to be honest, awkward. I didn’t expect Daniel to actually fall for it, but he did. Right there and then, he made an exception and hired Mandy on the spot as his secretary.

When she first joined, Mandy was diligent and eager to learn. Knowing her humble background, everyone went out of their way to support her.

But within days, her behavior began to leave people speechless.

She had a knack for turning every situation into a moral high ground.

The break room at the company was stocked with coffee, cupcakes, and various snacks, all provided free for employees.

When a colleague mentioned this to Mandy, inviting her to help herself, she simply shook her head, responding with conviction, “I can’t take advantage of the company. Money doesn’t grow on trees, and the company’s resources shouldn’t be wasted like this.”

Her words left everyone awkwardly silent.

Mary, who had just picked up a cupcake, suddenly didn’t know whether to take a bite or put it back.

Daniel tried to smooth things over, saying, “We should all learn from Mandy’s frugality and her dedication to the company’s well-being.”

From that moment on, it was as if Mandy had been emboldened. She began using the guise of “acting in the company’s best interest” to justify a series of irritating, self-righteous actions that made everyone uncomfortable.

When Mandy saw a female colleague ordering takeout, she immediately started lecturing her. “Why would a woman spend so much on expensive takeout? Is the company paying you too much? I suggest Mr. Hart dock your salary.”

One evening, feeling sorry for the team working late, I treated everyone to milkshakes out of my own pocket.

But Mandy couldn’t let it slide. She pointed a finger at me and said, “Working overtime is every employee’s duty; there’s nothing hard about it. Besides, women should learn to be frugal and manage their finances responsibly. Miss Jones, you shouldn’t be wasting Mr. Hart’s money like this.”

I had vented to Daniel more than once about her overbearing behavior, but he always brushed it off with a laugh, defending Mandy as someone who only wanted what was best for the company.

Best for the company? More like she’d convinced herself she was the boss’ wife.

At some point, Daniel started mentioning Mandy more often, almost as if he didn’t realize he was doing it. Perhaps it was their shared background, a sense of solidarity from having faced similar struggles, that made him feel an unspoken connection to her.

A few days before the holiday break, the office was buzzing with excitement. Everyone was eagerly sharing their plans for the upcoming days off.

“I still have a few days of annual leave saved up, so I’m combining them with the holiday. I’m flying abroad to see my boyfriend,” Mary said with a blissful smile. Her long-distance relationship had been tough, and she rarely got to see him.

“My parents are visiting from out of town. I’m planning to take them around the local sights for a few days,” another colleague chimed in.

“I promised my son a trip to Disneyland. He’s been looking forward to it for months!” someone else added, beaming.

The lively chatter filled the office with warmth and laughter until Mandy decided to ruin the mood.

She glanced at everyone with a disapproving frown, cleared her throat, and said, “The company doesn’t pay people to slack off. I think the holiday season is the perfect time to boost performance. I propose that everyone work unpaid overtime and dedicate themselves selflessly to the company!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the office fell silent for a few seconds. Then, the room erupted as everyone began firing back at her all at once.

"Why should we? Who do you think you are? You say we have to work overtime, and we’re just supposed to go along with it?"

"Exactly! If you want to work overtime, go ahead. Don’t drag us into it!"

"Do you think you’re the boss’ wife now? Miss Jones is right here—you’re nothing compared to her!"

Mandy’s face turned red, then pale, before she finally spoke with an air of self-righteousness.

"I’m doing this for the company! You’re all so ungrateful. Do you know how hard the company works to support you? And yet here you are, only caring about your own enjoyment!"

I had had enough. Rising from my seat, I walked straight up to her and said bluntly, "Mandy Watson, let me make something clear. You’re just an intern. You have no authority to decide whether the employees work overtime. Focus on doing your own job properly."

Still unwilling to back down, she muttered, "I’m only thinking of what’s best for the company!"

It took everything in me not to slap some sense into her.

Instead, I calmed the team down, assuring everyone that the holiday schedule would remain as planned. Only then did the matter settle down.

But the peace lasted barely two days before Mandy was up to her antics again.