Chapter 2

Right after sending that, Audrey tagged me. "By the way, Esme, where are you staying tonight?"

Audrey was a junior from my alma mater. When she couldn't find a job after graduation, I was the one who referred her to the company, and I even made an exception to promote her to Team A, the highest-performing team.

In my previous life, when Mr. Price urged me to pack up and leave, Audrey was the very first person who took my side. Before I could even thank her, she snatched my project proposal and handed it to Daphne as though she were presenting her with a prized possession.

Now, I couldn't even be bothered to answer a question she already knew the answer to.

The chat fell silent for a few minutes before it came alive again.

Fiona had sent, "A team's success depends entirely on its leader. Unfortunately, some people hold positions of authority but only look out for themselves instead of thinking about the team. They're so selfish."

Daphne added, "A certain someone usually acts all helpful and warm, but when the people under them actually run into trouble, they turn a blind eye. Hypocrites are truly disgusting!"

Audrey tagged me. "We were just venting, Esme. I hope you won't think we were talking about you."

I chuckled and took a screenshot of the group chat.

The very next second, I sent the chat history to Mr. Price. "Mr. Price, as the team leader, I noticed that some of my team members have been insulting and badmouthing you. I thought it was necessary to bring this to your attention."

Sure enough, a few seconds later, the group chat went dead silent.

Audrey was the first to delete her messages, followed by Daphne. Fiona's jab about the team leader was the only one left in the chat, and it looked exceptionally glaring.

Lying on the soft bed, I burst out laughing as I pictured Fiona frantically attempting to delete her message, only to realize the time limit had passed and she couldn't.

…

I set off to return to the company on the third day.

The moment I pushed the door open, I ran straight into Raymond Watson from Team A. He was in a rush, heavily stubbled, and easily a decade older.

As soon as he spotted me, his face contorted with rage, and he marched right up to me with his fists clenched. "Why didn't you sign the petition, Esme? Because you refused to sign it, my wife passed out at home last night, and no one even noticed!"

I was dumbstruck. However, I hastily came to my senses, a derisive smile playing at the corners of my lips. "Who told you that it would definitely work if I signed it?"

He was clearly thrown off.

I closed the distance between us, looking him straight in the eyes. "Who told you that I had to sign it?"

His face flushed crimson, and he gritted out, "You're our team leader. Why didn't you sign it? If you don't side with us on matters like this, how are you supposed to set a good example for the rest of us? You don't deserve to be our team leader!"

Looking at Raymond, who was glaring at me as if I were his sworn enemy, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at?" he bellowed.

The commotion caught the attention of the other employees, who gathered around and started whispering among themselves.

"I heard Team A's leader is usually really good to her team members. I can't believe she won't even help them with something like this. Guess it was all just an act."

"Exactly. Fiona and the others told me their team leader loves to tattle on them. She got them chewed out by Mr. Price and even had their pay docked."

"I heard Team A has the best performance and the fattest bonuses, but if I had to work under a team leader like her, I'd rather give up the bonus altogether!"

I scanned the coworkers who had gathered around. My team members were there, yet they all wore grim expressions and showed no intention of speaking up for me.

I cleared my throat and asked coldly, "Do you remember how you joined Team A, Raymond?"