Chapter 5: The Tables Turn

“Did you hear? The new intern tried to seduce the boss and be his mistress, but got called out. What’s wrong with these kids nowadays?”

The receptionist shook her head, gold bangles clinking. “Aaj kal ke bacche, kuch bhi karenge Instagram ke liye.”

“I heard! That girl even wore a low-cut top to seduce the boss and said she wasn’t here to break up the family, but to join it. Our company actually hired a top-tier drama queen!”

“Tch tch, just seeing her makes my skin crawl.”

Passing the lift, I heard employees gossiping as they packed up. Their voices bounced off the marble, every word heavy with judgement. Office politics at its purest.

A faint, satisfied smile tugged at my lips. Let her taste her own medicine. For once, I wasn’t under the microscope. Sneha liked to use public opinion for money—she must be thrilled now.

Even the director’s office, with my subtle nudges, began targeting Sneha. She was given the most tedious files, the kind that made your eyes ache. Others watched her struggle, relishing her discomfort.

She had so much work she had to stay late every night. Sometimes, when I left late, I’d see her hunched over her desk, surrounded by half-empty chai glasses and files. She didn’t even have time to update her reels. Her phone sat ignored, the screen dark, as she slogged through Excel sheets.

After I used a side account to like her old video, Sneha knocked and entered. She looked exhausted—dark circles under her eyes, hair messy, her earlier confidence gone. Before she could speak, her tears started to fall: “Sir, it was my fault for confessing to you the other day. I didn’t consider that you have a family, but liking someone isn’t a crime. Everyone’s targeting me, dumping their work on me. I can’t finish it all...”

Sneha sobbed, her shoulders shaking, hiccups breaking her words. Her pain seemed genuine, but my heart was unmoved. Still, as I sneered at her, a flash of self-doubt flickered—I remembered my own struggles as a fresher, just for a second, before I pushed the thought away.

I sneered, “Maybe everyone’s just training you so you can be independent sooner. There are so many interns, but only you seem to have complaints. If you can handle it, do it. If not, quit.” I lowered my head, pretending to read an old report.

Now, my job was to play the bad boss who silently allowed office bullying. Let her hate me to the core.

Sneha left without a word, her footsteps echoing—defeated, but not finished. I knew her type. She’d never walk away without a fight. I was certain she wouldn’t resign. With her personality, she’d only leave if she got something out of it.