I Went Undercover at My Company

I went undercover to work at a company under my family's corporation.

I didn't expect to run into Sophia Smith, a manager who worships men and despises women.

I was trembling from menstrual cramps and went to ask her for leave.

Sophia took a leisurely sip of her coffee and rolled her eyes at me:

Young women are so dramatic. It's just period crampsgrit your teeth and get through it.

Just then, intern Kevin pushed the door open.

"Miss Smith, I need to take the day off. Didn't sleep well last night, want to go home and catch up on some sleep."

Behind me came Sophia's saccharine voice:

"Oh my goodness, you work so hard. You men need to take care of yourselves while building your careers."

I laughed.

Him, hardworking? He writes sixty lines of code and twenty of them are wrong!

Just as I was about to leave the office, Sophia called out to me.

"Laura, the group leadership is coming for the KDD project presentation. Let Kevin present instead of youmen command more authority."

I froze mid-step.

I turned to look at Sophia and spoke without hesitation: "I refuse!"

The KDD project was a promise I made to Grandpa three years ago.

If I succeeded with the KDD project, Grandpa would agree to let me start my own company.

And this project presentation was my moment to deliver!

Seeing my refusal, Sophia's face instantly darkened.

"Don't be so selfish. You're a veteran at the companygive the younger people some opportunities. Kevin's about to be converted to full-time, he needs some decent achievements to show."

I turned around. The persistent cramping pain in my lower abdomen made it impossible to stand straight, forcing me to lean against the door frame. I suppressed my discomfort and explained: "This presentation is very important to me."

I hoped she would back down after hearing this.

Instead, what I heard was her raised voice scolding me: "Important? What isn't important? Don't think I don't know you want to show off in front of the group leadership! You're just a womanwhat are you trying to prove!"

She raised her chin arrogantly, her gaze scanning over me like an X-ray.

She sneered: "Why are you so competitive as a woman? I think you look decent enoughjust dress yourself up pretty every day and find a rich man to marry. Wouldn't that be better?"

Then she looked at intern Kevin, her tone suddenly turning coquettish.

"My husband says women should be like me, a pretty little princess~"

I really didn't have the mood or energy to watch her affectation.

I just replied flatly: "If there's nothing else, I'll head back to my desk."

Sophia seemed to feel her dignity was challenged. She slammed her coffee cup down on the desk with a harsh clatter.

"Don't you dare brush me off!"

"I'm advising you to be smart! The group leadership is coming personally this time. If you screw it up, you can't handle the consequences!"

She stood up, clicking toward me in her four-inch heels.

Looking down at me: "Look at you, you can barely stand. Letting you presentwouldn't that embarrass our company image?"

She beckoned to Kevin: "Look at Kevin, handsome young man with good presence and a strong voice. The leadership will be impressed! Go organize the data and send it to Kevin so he can familiarize himself with it."

Before I could speak, Kevin quickly chimed in: "Thank you, Laura! I really appreciate it. Don't worry, I'll memorize all the data in advance and won't let you down."

He spoke quickly, as if afraid I would refuse first.

Another sharp pain twisted through my abdomen, cold sweat forming on my forehead.

But I still lifted my head to look at the two people in front of me.

"This project, from planning to execution, every line of code, every piece of data, even every client meetingI handled all of it myself! Kevin doesn't even understand the project background. Are you sure you want him to present?"

Sophia's expression grew even uglier.

"What do you mean? Questioning my decision?"

Her tone became sharper: "Let me tell you! I'm in charge of this department. Whoever I say presents, presents. Do you think you own this company?"

The commotion had drawn quite a bit of attention, with several colleagues poking their heads out from their desks.

I frowned, unwilling to engage in meaningless arguments with her.

"You can fight over anything else, but this KDD project presentation must be mine."

My tone was calm but carried unwavering determination.

But Sophia suddenly laughed.

"I understand now."

She covered her mouth exaggeratedly, her eyes filled with unconcealed contempt and disgust.

"You're so insistent on presenting because you want to show off in front of the group leadership, looking for a chance to sleep your way up, right?"

Her words were cutting, her voice shrill and piercing.

As soon as she said this, I clearly felt more and more colleagues casting hostile glances my way.

Before I could say anything, Sophia continued in her raised voice: "You young girls nowadays are so shameless, always trying to take shortcuts with your bodies. No wonder you always dress up so flashily at workturns out you're just fishing for men."

"Watch your mouth!"

The soreness in my lower back combined with the cramping pain already had me irritated.

Hearing this made anger surge in my chest.

"You need evidence when you speak. Making baseless accusations and slander like thisI can sue you!"

Sophia snorted and took two steps closer to me.

She crossed her arms, shrugging her shoulders dismissively.

"Am I wrong? Why are you pretending to be innocent? Don't think I don't know what you do in private. Seducing menyou're a professional, aren't you?"

She reached out, rubbing the fabric of my clothes between her fingers, pursing her lips: "This brand, costs at least a hundred thousand dollars, right? You're a fresh graduatewhere'd you get that kind of money!"

"What, got hooked on servicing old men, now planning to seduce our group CEO?"

As soon as she said this, a commotion rippled through the office.

Several colleagues huddled together and started whispering.

"No way, Laura's actually that kind of person? She always seemed like such a good kid."

"That's what you don't understand. These women are the best at playing innocent. Those rich old men love that type."

"I knew itwondered where she got the money for all those clothes and bags at her age. So that's how she earns it. It's easier for women to make money."

Listening to the vulgar gossip around me, my fists clenched involuntarily.

"Dirty-minded people see everything as dirty!"

The outfit Sophia mentioned was a gift I bought myself when I earned my first pot of gold from entrepreneurship in my sophomore year.

It was the first thing in my life I bought without using a cent of my family's money.

This outfit held extraordinary meaning for me.

But in others' mouths, it became "spoils of war" I'd earned by selling my body.

As if a woman's value could only be defined by the men beside her.

I had no interest in arguing with these idiots.

Right now I just wanted to finish the presentation and leave this place reeking of old-world misogyny.

But my patience and retreat, in Sophia's eyes, became a signal for her to continue her attack.

She extended her hands with their long artificial nails and dug them viciously into my chin.

Her tone contemptuous: "Women like you, I've seen plenty! Pretty enough to flaunt yourself and seduce menyou're cheap trash. Sharing the same space with you disgusts me!"

"Still want to show off in front of the group leadership? Kill that dream! Don't go up there and embarrass the company!"

"Be smart and get lost now, before I have to do it myself."

She shoved me away violently, her nails scratching a red mark across my chin.

I was already unsteady on my feet. This push made me stumble and crash hard into the door frame.

I clutched my arm in pain and turned to glare at Sophia.

"Malicious slander! Workplace bullying! Your days as department manager are numbered! You better waitI hope you won't be begging me on your knees later!"

With that, I ignored these people and turned toward my desk.

Behind me came Sophia's mocking laughter: "Ooh, I'm so scared. I'd like to see who ends up kneeling to whom!"

The manager's office door slammed shut. I walked to my desk under everyone's judgmental stares and opened my computer. A message popped up in the bottom right corner.

It was from HR director Rachel Norton.

"Laura, come to my office."

Looking at those words, my heart sank.

I walked into Rachel's office. She was organizing files in her hands.

Seeing me, she spoke without looking up: "You've been fired. This is the termination agreement. Take a look, and if there's no problem, sign it."

She handed me the document.

I skimmed through it, my fingers gripping the papers so hard they turned white.

"What's the reason?"

I slapped the agreement on the desk.

Rachel raised an eyebrow at me, then after a long moment, sighed: "Laura, we're all civilized people. Some things are better left unsaid for everyone's sake. Listen to me, sign it and leave early. Don't make it ugly for everyone in the end."

She spoke with apparent concern, but I couldn't help laughing.

"Let's be direct then. I'm asking youwhat grounds do you have to fire me? I haven't been late, left early, or been absent. My work ability speaks for itself. I haven't violated any company rules or regulations!"

Rachel looked at me, her tone calm: "Your personal morals are questionable and would tarnish the company's image. Is that reason enough?"

She spoke as calmly as if stating the most ordinary fact.

I was shaking with anger.

I leaned on the desk, speaking word by word: "What evidence do you have? You want to condemn me based on slander?"

Seeing my agitation, Rachel patted my hand.

"I know you're unwilling, but this is a directive from above. I have no choice either. We're all just workersdon't make this hard for me..."

Still that calm tone, calm to the point of numbness.

At that moment I deeply understood the phrase "those who wrong you know your grievance better than anyone."

She wasn't unaware that I was being slandered, but she chose cold indifference.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger.

"I won't make it hard for you. Just tell me the truththis is Sophia's doing, isn't it?"

Rachel glanced carefully at the door.

She nodded slightly and spoke quietly: "Mr. Miller sent the email personally..."

Mr. Miller, Marcus Miller, Sophia's husband and the general manager of this subsidiary.

"Fine!" I straightened up: "I'm not signing this termination agreement!"

With that, I walked straight out of the office.

But when I returned to my desk, I was completely dumbfounded.

My once fully-stocked workspace was now completely empty!

Even my computer monitor and tower had been removed!

"Who moved my stuff?"

I asked my nearby colleagues. They exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

"What's all the noise? The company is reclaiming office resources. Is there a problem?"

Sophia's voice came from behind me.

She clicked over in her heels, head held high.

Intern Kevin followed right behind her.

"You've already been fired. Why are you still shamelessly hanging around the company?"

I ignored her mockery and asked directly.

"Where are my things?"

She snorted coldly: "That pile of junk? Thrown away, of course."

"Who gave you the right to touch my things without my permission?"

Being maliciously targeted again and again, I had no patience left for tolerance.

Seeing I was standing my ground, Sophia lost her temper too.

"Who do you think you are? Company property is mine to handle! Including you!"

I laughed coldly and pointed at my desk.

"The pen is a Faber-Castell Count series annual limited edition. The mouse pad is Bottega Veneta. The cup is Baccarat. Plus all the other items, they add up to about half a million dollars."

I looked at Sophia and smiled.

"Miss Smith, you'd better explain this to the police."

With that, I picked up my phone, preparing to call the police.

But before I could unlock it, Sophia rushed forward and snatched my phone from my hand, smashing it hard on the ground.

"Who the hell are you trying to scare?"

She grabbed my hair and her palm came down.

The change happened too fast for me to react.

And as if deliberately, she raised her knee and rammed it hard into my lower abdomen.

My already cramping abdomen now felt like it had been run over by a truck. The stabbing pain shot through to my lower back. My face turned deathly pale instantly, cold sweat pouring out.

As if still not satisfied, she shoved me hard, and I crashed to the floor.

I curled up on the ground in pain, clutching my stomach and unable to stop groaning.

Sophia crouched down and grabbed my hair again. The tearing pain in my scalp forced me to lift my head.

She gripped my chin, her tone vicious: "I knew you were a slut! Who are you moaning for?"

I forced myself to look up at Sophia, speaking word by word: "You just wait!"

"Hah, cheap bones are always tough. Let's see how long you can keep that up!"

She snorted through her nose, grabbed my hair, and slammed my head against the floor.

The intense pain blanked my mind instantly. Ringing filled my ears and my vision blurred.

I bit down hard on my tongue, trying to stay conscious.

"Miss Smith, forget it. No need to get angry over this kind of trash."

Kevin laughed as he tried to calm Sophia down.

I looked up at him. He was watching me with amusement, his words sounding like advice, but his eyes were full of satisfaction and excitement.

Sophia seemed afraid things would escalate. Hearing this, she released my hair.

She stood up, looking down at me: "Get the hell out now and stop looking for trouble!"

Kevin stepped forward pretending to help me, but at an angle no one could see, he leaned close to my ear and spoke in a frivolous tone:

"Laura, why bother? If you'd agreed to be my girlfriend back then, none of this would have happened. I definitely wouldn't have competed with you for these meaningless titles."