Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Chapter 1

The stainless steel bowl—the one used not only to feed dogs but also to hold leftover scraps—now glinted with a harsh, cold light.Standing on the raised stage, my boss held the envelope that was originally meant for me. His eyes brimmed with mockery.I took a deep breath.Instead of lowering my head to pick up that so-called "reward" like I always did, I raised my hand and removed the work badge that had hung around my neck for five years.With a light flick of my wrist, the badge traced a clean arc through the air and landed with perfect accuracy in the greasy dog bowl. The splash of leftover broth even spattered onto the sales champion's pair of gleaming leather shoes.The laughter in the room stopped instantly."Sandra, what the hell?!"The Administrative Director, Vanessa Martin, stormed out of the crowd, her ten-centimeter red-soled heels striking sharply against the floor. The evening gown she had specially ordered for the annual party now looked strained, tightened by he

Chapter 2

"Get out. Don't come crawling back. Without you, this company will only run faster," Vanessa said.I quietly gathered my belongings and put them back into my bag. Before leaving, I cast one last look at the place where I had poured five years of my youth. In my hand, I gripped the universal access card tightly.They had no idea that the building's special approvals for water and electricity—and all its property management connections—were maintained by me.If I were nothing but trash, then I would at least take with me the dignity that belonged to trash.After returning the universal access card, I stepped out of the building. The late-night wind cut across my face like a blade.I pulled my coat tighter and glanced back at the 15th and 16th floors.Five years ago, I had joined the company full of hope, hired as an administrative specialist.The turning point came two years ago, when the company reassigned me under the pretext that I lacked a "formal administrative management bac

Chapter 3

Only when the air is stripped away will those high-and-mighty elites understand what suffocation truly feels like.I raised a hand and flagged down a taxi."Home, please."My phone vibrated—a bank notification. My salary had been deposited.Just the base pay. No year-end bonus. They had even deducted the past few days' attendance.A moment later, a message popped up on WhatsApp.Vanessa: [Sandra, don't think you're off the hook just because you left. If you dare spread rumors about the company, I'll sue you for defamation.]They probably really believed that discount had come from the boss's personal charm. Now that I was gone, the favor was gone. Everything would return to its true, transactional nature.…The holidays began.The first thing I did after returning to my hometown was switch my phone to silent.I blocked my ex-boss, Vanessa, and those former colleagues who used to do nothing but tag me in group chats—"change the water," "fix the lights," "pick up deliveries."

Chapter 4

That switch was hidden extremely well—only I knew where it was. As for the key to the low-voltage room, it was probably lying in Vanessa's messy drawer… or already tossed out as trash.Lisa: [What? Then what do we do? Vanessa definitely doesn't know about this. She can't even find where the fish food is.] Lisa sent a panicked emoji.Me: [That's her problem, not yours. You're just an intern. You're not responsible for cleaning up after a director's mess.]Me: [Listen to me. Turn off your phone and enjoy the holiday these next few days. When work resumes after the New Year holiday, you'll see quite a show.]I set my phone down and looked out at the fireworks beyond the window.The calm before a storm is always the most beautiful.As for that tank of fish, let it be the first "opening gift" for Vanessa's so-called "international" administrative department.…On the third day of the New Year, I had just poured myself a cup of tea when my phone was bombarded by calls from an unkno

Chapter 5

After the New Year holiday, everyone went back to work.For most employees, it was a miserable day. For me, it was something to look forward to.I sat on my balcony at home, a cup of hot coffee in my hands, my phone resting on my lap, the screen glowing.Lisa was giving me a "live broadcast".At 8:30 a.m., dozens of people were crowded at the company entrance. The fingerprint lock had run out of power, and Vanessa couldn't find the backup key. Everyone stood in the hallway, bundled in down jackets, stomping their feet as complaints rose one after another.In the end, they had to call a locksmith to pry the door open.Once inside, they found the office as cold as an ice cellar.During the holiday, the building had shut off heating to vacant floors to conserve energy.In the past, I would call the property engineering department two days in advance to request early heating for the 15th and 16th floors.Now, with no one applying, those two floors sat in the cold, relying only on

Chapter 6

Without my upkeep, the company's environment deteriorated at a pace visible to the naked eye.On the second day back at work, the cleaning lady quit.In the past, during holidays, I would use my own allowance to help her apply for benefits. If something came up at home, I'd help find someone to cover her shift or coordinate her schedule.But Vanessa was different. She complained that the cleaner didn't knock before entering offices. She said the mop smelled. She even covered her nose and told the woman to "stay farther away" while she was cleaning.That kind of condescending attitude, combined with the complete lack of holiday benefits this year, was the last straw."I'm here to work, not to be treated like shit," the cleaner said before quitting, tossing her rag down in front of Vanessa.The new cleaning companies refused to take the job at the offered rate.The price we used to pay was a "friendly rate" I had negotiated through personal connections. When Vanessa went to negoti

Chapter 7

Then I blocked Vanessa.As I looked out at the night, I knew this was only the collapse on the surface—the physical breakdown.What came next would be financial.…Just a few days later, the property manager showed up at the company entrance with a lawyer's letter in hand, right at the elevator lobby on the 15th floor—in front of all the employees."Mr. Simpson, given that your company's 'key liaison,' Sandra Muller, has resigned, the preferential terms outlined in the contract's supplementary clause are now officially terminated."The manager spoke in a strictly professional tone as he handed over a thick stack of documents."Starting this month, the rent for the 15th and 16th floors will revert to the listed market rate. Additionally, you'll need to make up the difference in property management fees for the past half month."The boss took the documents and flipped through a few pages. His eyes widened in disbelief."Half a million?! Why don't you just rob us?!"He lost his

Chapter 8

The final straw that broke the camel's back had finally arrived.An important client was coming to inspect the company.It was a financing project the boss had been negotiating for over half a year—his last lifeline for a comeback.Clinging to this final hope, Vanessa spared no expense. She hired temporary cleaners for an emergency deep clean and bought high-end fragrances to mask the lingering odors.On the surface, the company looked somewhat presentable again.But some things can't be concealed.On Wednesday morning, the client arrived.The moment they stepped through the entrance, the lead investor was taken aback by the broken fingerprint lock at the door.Since it hadn't been repaired, and for "security," Vanessa had someone install a large U-shaped bike lock on the glass door.Every time someone entered or exited, they had to unlock it manually—metal clanking loudly.The investor glanced at the rusted lock, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.Was this really a high-tech c

Chapter 9

I opened the door, but kept the security chain latched."Do you need something?"I looked at them coldly through the narrow gap."Sandra! It's me!"The moment Mr. Simpson saw me, his face twisted into an awkward and ugly smile."Sandra, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I lost my mind before—I was possessed or something. That's the only reason I accused you of stealing company secrets. I even had Vanessa prepare a smear campaign—posting online, leaking your photos to humiliate you. I know I was wrong. Please, just forgive me this once!"As he spoke, he tried to shove the gift bags through the crack in the door.Vanessa stood beside him, her face pale, her eyes darting nervously.The moment he finished speaking, Mr. Simpson shot her a vicious glare, his tone shifting as he pushed all the blame onto her."It was her! Vanessa put the idea in my head! She said you were holding a grudge and planning to get back at the company. She told me a little online harassment, posting your photos in h

Chapter 10

"No, you won't be doing menial tasks. You'll be managing the team, setting standards, and building systems. The annual salary is five hundred thousand, with stock options. Are you interested?"I held the phone, my eyes stinging slightly."I'm interested."A month later, I officially joined the Seagar Group.I brought along Lisa—she had finally resigned—and a few loyal former colleagues who had quietly endured my ex-company's chaos. Together, we formed a brand-new administrative team.This time, I wasn't the "nanny" to a bunch of spoiled adults. Everyone was professional, accountable, and ready to work.I approached it with the utmost professionalism, building a comprehensive administrative system from the ground up. Every detail—from facility maintenance to client reception, asset management to employee care—was organized, efficient, and seamless.The office buildings we managed quickly earned an impeccable reputation, with occupancy rates hitting 100%.Meanwhile, my ex-company

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