Chapter 2

Starting the fourth week, the isolation escalated.

Before, it was not inviting me to meals, not talking to me.

Now it was not notifying me about meetings.

"Accidentally" losing my reimbursement forms.

The printer always breaking down whenever I tried to use it.

Office supplies I requisitioned never getting approved.

The stapler I used—I bought it myself. The pens—I bought them myself. Even the A4 paper—I brought my own.

Once, I went to the admin desk to get a notebook.

The girl smiled and said:

"Serena, your request isn't in the system."

I said:

"I submitted it last week."

She shrugged. "Maybe it's a system issue. Could you submit it again?"

I submitted it again.

A week later, still not approved.

I stopped submitting.

I went to the convenience store downstairs and bought a dozen notebooks for myself.

Wednesday afternoon, I heard about the bet in the break room.

"I bet she quits this week."

"I bet next week."

"What's the wager?"

"One fancy dinner. How's that?"

"Deal!"

I stood in the doorway holding my cup, completely still.

The people inside didn't notice me.

That afternoon, Rachel made her move again—calling a monthly department meeting.

Ten minutes before the meeting, I saw everyone packing up their things.

I asked Wendy next to me:

"What meeting?"

She glanced at me without answering and walked away with her notebook.

I caught up and asked Maxwell:

"What time is the meeting? Which conference room?"

Maxwell didn't even look back:

"Don't know."

I stood there, watching them disappear down the hallway one by one.

The office area emptied out. Only me left.

I opened my email and scrolled through it. No meeting notice.

I sat back at my desk and opened my document:

[Deliberate Exclusion from Meeting - All Department Members - Date: XX/XX]

After writing it, I thought for a moment and added:

[Meeting content to be investigated.]

Half an hour later, they came back.

Rachel walked in front, looking displeased.

She passed my desk and stopped.

"Serena, why didn't you come to the meeting?"

I looked up:

"Nobody told me."

"We did notify you." She frowned.

"It was posted in the group."

"I checked. There wasn't."

"Then maybe you didn't see it."

There was mockery in her tone.

I didn't respond.

She didn't say anything more and turned away.

Soon, my phone buzzed.

HR had sent [Notice Regarding Exit Interview]

"Ms. Serena, please come to the HR department at 3 PM on December 15th for an exit interview."

I stared at that email for a long time.

They didn't know who I was.

They had no idea what would happen at the company's year-end gala three months from now.