Chapter 3

But before I could say anything, the director had already pulled me to the employee cafeteria.

He kept rambling on about how I should just endure it for the sake of peace, while I mindlessly pushed the food around on my tray.

Just then, my phone buzzed. Messages in the company group chat were flooding the screen.

I opened the chat. The top few messages were photos and videos posted by Miranda!

She had actually gone to my desk while I was away.

In the photos were all my personal belongings:

A pair of stockings I'd just taken off to bring home and wash, high heels I kept at the office for emergencies, and my commonly used lipstick and perfume.

Then came a voice message from her, sickeningly affected, played on speaker.

"Everyone take a look! Our company must eliminate this kind of unhealthy atmosphere! We're banning behavior that sells one's body and appearance to please men! Things like lipstick, perfume, stockings... none of these should appear in the company anymore!"

"Today, I've confiscated some dirty items from a certain colleague. Following the principle of not being wasteful, I'm holding a little auction here!"

"Let's see if anyone's interested in our project goddess's personal items! Highest bidder wins!"

My stomach churned. I felt so sick I almost threw up the food I'd just eaten.

And there were actually sleazy men in the group responding, with bids popping up one after another.

I cursed under my breath, unable to take it anymore, and rushed back to the office.

When I reached my desk, the scene before me made my blood pressure spike even higher.

Miranda hadn't just gone through my storage locker—she was now going through my personal laptop.

"What are you doing?!" I rushed over and slammed the laptop screen shut. "This is my personal computer! It has my private information!"

Miranda jumped at my action, then raised her chin, looking self-righteous.

"What am I doing? Inspecting, of course! You use a computer at the company, so I need to check whether you've stolen company secrets or made deals with that project manager using company interests. After all, someone like you... who knows what you're capable of?"

I was shaking with anger, my fingers gripping the edge of the laptop tightly. I was about to argue when a male colleague wearing black-framed glasses shamelessly approached.

"Miranda, I'm here to pick up the stockings I bid on."

Miranda nodded knowingly, pulled out my stockings, and handed them to him.

"You look honest, but I didn't expect you'd be into this. Take them. Just transfer me the money."

"Miranda Hayes! What gives you the right to auction off my things! I'm not selling!"

"What gives me the right? Because these items that cater to men cannot appear in the company! I'm purifying the workplace environment!"

I was completely enraged and fired back. "Necessary attire is professional etiquette! Just because I dress appropriately and look presentable, that means I'm pandering to men? By your logic, when I wear a skirt, should I also wear bright red long underwear underneath to be considered proper?!"

My voice wasn't quiet, drawing whispers from colleagues who had been watching the show.

Some couldn't help but chuckle softly, clearly finding Miranda's behavior too absurd.

Her face immediately flushed with embarrassment, her eyes growing more vicious.

"Jane! Are you crazy? Believe it or not, I'll make sure you can't survive in this company!"

I didn't want to waste another word on her.

"Move. I need to get to work." I said coldly, reaching to close my laptop.