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.
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.
