When the Hidden Intern Got Smeared, Her CEO Dad Lost It

In the company-wide group chat, the Head of Admin suddenly launched an attack.

Just saw a certain intern stumbling out of the CEOs office, looking disheveled. Didnt even bother to wipe her mouth clean. Talk about dedication!

The chat exploded. Everyone was guessing which department she was from.

The supervisor, Brenda, didnt stop there.

These Gen Z kids have no shame, she sneered. Theyll even stoop to the casting couch just to get a full-time offer. Absolutely no integrity.

We kill ourselves working on proposals, and she gets an offer just by getting on her knees and opening her mouth.

Isnt she afraid of catching something? I cant believe shed go for that pretty-boy parachute CEO.

Finally, she sent a voice message, her voice dripping with contempt.

You shameless girl, you make me sick. The CEO just got engaged. Youre nothing but a homewrecker!

I frowned and typed a reply.

You might want to get your facts straight before you run your mouth.

A second later, she tagged me directly.

@Layla Oh, did I hit a nerve? You have the audacity to talk back? You want me to post the picture of you on your knees? You trash!

I was stunned. I was in my own fathers office helping him find a contact lens hed dropped on the floor. How did that turn into me sleeping my way to the top?

...

I stared at the messages flooding my screen, my hand squeezing the mouse so hard I nearly crushed it.

Brenda, the Head of Admin, was still on a rampage in the chat.

Whats the matter, Layla? Cat got your tongue? You act all innocent, but youre a real piece of work behind closed doors, arent you?

Everyone, come and see! This is the intern who will do anything to get ahead.

A photo appeared in the chat.

The angle was malicious.

Taken through a sliver of a gap in the blinds, it showed me kneeling in front of the office desk, my head bowed low. Because I was looking for a contact lens, the posture did look suggestive.

But I was just looking for something!

Dozens of new messages popped up.

Oh my god, is that really Layla? She always seemed so quiet.

You can never judge a book by its cover. Some people will do anything to stay.

No wonder she got straight As on her performance review this month. She slept for them.

I took a deep breath and typed out a response.

Brenda, slander is illegal. I was helping the CEO find his contact lens.

The moment I sent it, Brendas sharp, piercing voice came through in another voice message.

Finding a contact lens? Who do you think youre kidding? Does finding a lens require you to kneel between his legs?

And you didnt even wipe your mouth! What was that white stuff on the corner of your lips when you came out? Dont tell me it was eye drops!

I subconsciously touched the corner of my mouth.

It was a drop of milk from the glass Id had earlier!

Before I could explain, Brenda stormed over to my desk with a few of her cronies.

Smack.

A stack of files was slammed against my face.

The sharp edge of the paper sliced my cheek, leaving a sharp, stinging pain.

Brenda stood over me, pointing a finger at my nose.

You shameless thing. You still have the nerve to argue in the group chat?

The entire company saw it. Do you think were all blind?

Colleagues started to gather around, pointing and whispering.

So disgusting. How did someone like her get into our company?

Stay away from her. You dont want to catch whatever she has.

And the CEO whats he thinking? Shes not even that pretty.

I stood up, pushing the files off my lap.

Watch your mouth, Brenda.

Do you have any proof? Or are you just going to sling mud with one misleading photo?

Brenda scoffed, crossing her arms.

Proof? Ill go pull the security footage right now and let everyone see what you were up to! Then her voice turned sly. Oh, but there are no cameras in the CEOs office, are there? Thats why youre so bold.

She leaned in close, her voice a low, venomous whisper.

Listen to me, Layla. If you know whats good for you, youll pack your things and get out. Dont wait for me to blow this up. When Im done, you wont be able to find a job in this entire industry.

I looked at her twisted face and felt a cold laugh rising in my chest.

Blow this up?

I was counting on it.

I couldnt wait to see the look on my fathers face when he found out he was being labeled a sleazebag who preyed on interns.

Im not leaving, I said, looking her straight in the eye, my voice even.

Ive done nothing wrong. Why should I leave?

You, on the other hand, as Head of Administration, are publicly slandering a colleague and spreading malicious rumors. Youre the one who should be leaving.

Brenda laughed, a loud, exaggerated sound.

Ha! Me? You should take a good look at yourself!

Im a veteran employee. Youre an intern who hasnt even gotten an offer yet. You think you can challenge me?

Fine. You dont want to leave? I have plenty of ways to make you.

She turned to the gawking crowd.

What are you all looking at? Dont you have work to do? Is this piece of trash worth your time?

She shoved past me, her heels clicking angrily as she stalked away.

The eyes of my colleagues were filled with contempt and disgust.

Even the few other interns I was friendly with quietly shifted their desks a few inches away from mine.

I sat back down and picked up my phone.

A text from the parachute CEO.

Layla, did you find the lens? My vision is still a little blurry in this eye.

I typed back.

Found it. Its next to the leg of your desk. Pick it up yourself.

And Dad? Your companys got some real gems working for it.

He sent back a single question mark.

I ignored it.

If Brenda wanted to play, I was more than ready to join the game.

The rest of the afternoon was torture.

Brenda rejected all of my work, citing everything from incorrect formatting to half-assed content.

She then dumped a pile of miscellaneous tasks on my desk that had nothing to do with my role.

Manually copy all of these archives. Theyre needed for the meeting tomorrow morning.

Also, clean the coffee machine in the breakroom, and the bathrooms are out of toilet paper. Go restock it.

I looked at the mountain of expired files and smirked.

Brenda, Im an intern in the Operations department. Im not a janitor or your personal assistant.

These tasks are not part of my job description.

Brenda leaned back in her chair, casually filing her nails.

Interns have to start from the bottom. Whats the matter? Gotten too used to serving the CEO to do any real work?

If you dont want to do it, then get out. No ones begging you to stay.

She paused, a malicious glint in her eye.

Oh, by the way, I heard the CEOs fiance is coming to inspect the company in a few days.

If she finds out theres a little fox trying to seduce her man, what do you think will happen to you?

A wave of snickers rippled through the office.

Thats obvious. Shell be stripped naked and thrown out.

The wives of these tycoons dont mess around. Especially a new fiance. She wont tolerate any competition.

Layla, if I were you, Id buy a bus ticket home right now and hide.

I ignored their taunts and picked up the pile of archives.

Fine. Ill copy them.

I wanted to see just how far she was willing to take this.

I returned to my desk but didnt start copying.

Instead, I opened my laptop and started researching the companys employee handbook and labor laws.

Then, I sent an email to the Director of Human Resources, formally reporting Brenda for workplace harassment and slander.

Less than ten minutes later, Brenda stormed over, her face red with fury.

Layla! You dare report me?

She snatched the mouse from my hand and slammed it on the floor.

It shattered into pieces.

You think HR will listen to some interns whining?

The Director of HR is my cousin! You want to bet I can have him fire you right now?

I looked at the broken plastic on the floor, my voice calm.

Destruction of company property. Youll have to pay for that.

As for firing me, youre welcome to try.

Brendas chest heaved with rage. She raised her hand to strike me.

I caught her wrist and threw her hand back.

Dont get physical. There are security cameras here.

Brenda stumbled back, grabbing a desk to steady herself.

She glared at me, her eyes filled with pure hatred.

Fine. Youve got guts.

Since youre so desperate to stay, Ill grant your wish.

Tonight, the entire Operations department is working overtime. No one leaves until next quarters proposal is finished!

Especially you, Layla. If you cant finish it, youll kneel at the company entrance and bark like a dog!

Groans of despair erupted from the surrounding desks.

What? Overtime again? Its all Laylas fault.

Yeah, she brings her drama here and drags us all down with her.

Layla, if you want to crash and burn, do it on your own time! Dont take us with you!

The blame shifted entirely to me.

Brenda watched, a triumphant smirk on her face.

Hear that? Thats the voice of the people.

Youre a rat, Layla. Everyone wants you gone.

I glanced around at the angry faces of my colleagues without a flicker of emotion.

A bunch of fools being used as pawns.

I sat down and pulled a spare mouse from my bag.

Overtime it is.

But well see whos barking like a dog.

Brenda snorted.

Tough words.

Tonight, Im going to show you the meaning of a living hell.

She turned and walked into her office, slamming the door behind her.

I watched her go, my expression turning cold.

You brought this on yourself, Brenda.

At nine oclock that night, the office was still brightly lit.

Everyone was hunched over their desks, the air thick with resentment.

Brenda had ordered a feast for herself: fried chicken, milk tea, and barbecue skewers covered her desk.

She took pictures and posted them in the group chat while she ate.

Aw, is someone still eating bread? So pathetic.

As long as everyone works hard tonight, youll be eating well with me from now on.

As for the one dragging us all down, just let her starve. Im sure shes already full from sucking up to the CEO.

My colleagues, eager to curry favor, chimed in.

Youre the best, Brenda!

Not like some people who only cause trouble.

Brenda, save a drumstick for me! Im almost done!

I quietly chewed on my whole-wheat bread, my eyes fixed on the data on my screen.

This proposal was childs play for me.

My father had been training me in business strategy since I was a kid. I could write a plan of this caliber in my sleep.

Ten minutes later, I stood up, walked over to Brendas desk, and placed the printed proposal in front of her.

Its done.

Brenda froze, a chicken wing halfway to her mouth.

What? Done?

She snatched the document and flipped through it haphazardly.

Impossible! This is a months worth of work! You finished it in half an hour?

You must have copied it! Or its just a piece of garbage you threw together!

Without even reading a single word, she ripped the proposal in half and threw it in the trash.

Do it again!

How dare you bring this trash to me? Are you trying to insult my intelligence?

I looked at the shredded paper in the bin, my fists clenching at my sides.

You didnt even read it, Brenda.

Or can you not understand it?

My words hit their mark. She shot to her feet, enraged, and pointed a finger in my face.

Are you questioning my professional ability?

I was a supervisor back when you were still in diapers!

I said its not good enough, so its not good enough! Do it again! And youre not going home until its perfect!

She picked up a cup of ice-cold Coke from her desk and threw it at me.

The cold, sticky brown liquid ran down my hair and clothes.

A collective gasp went through the office, followed by muffled, gleeful chuckles.

Ooh, a wet t-shirt contest.

Now she really looks the part. No wonder the CEO is into her.

Brendas a legend. Thats how you deal with people like her.

I wiped the soda from my face and took a deep breath.

This is the second time youve put your hands on me, Brenda.

Brenda arrogantly slammed the empty cup on the floor.

So what if I did? Go on, report me!

Wheres your CEO sugar daddy? Why isnt he here to save you?

Oh, right, I forgot. His fiance is coming tomorrow. He wont have time for a piece of trash like you!

She laughed so hard her face jiggled.

Let me tell you something, Layla. When the CEOs fiance gets here tomorrow, Im going to tell her everything.

Im going to let her get a good look at the little homewrecker you are.

And then, I wont even have to lift a finger. Shell be the one to tear your face off!

I looked at her, cold as ice, like she was a clown in a circus.

Fine, I said. Ill be waiting.