The new intern is a mogul Novels & Stories

I didn't look up from my computer, where I'd been staring at the same financial report for twenty minutes. “They insisted on meeting you personally.” Emma shifted her weight. “Said it was... tradition?” My fingers stilled on the keyboard. “Since when do interns dictate company traditions?” “Since the board approved the new mentorship initiative from you last quarter,” she said meekly. “Your signature is on page forty-three of…” “Fine.” I waved a hand. “Give me the files. Now.” The stack of folders was thicker than expected. I flipped through them with growing disinterest—finance majors from Yale, a business prodigy from Stanford, the usual parade of overachievers—until…

“Whose. Seat. Is that?” The senior partner clears his throat nervously. “It’s… uh… it’s for the new intern, Miss Fiorella.” My brows lift slightly. “The new intern?” “Yes,” he continues quickly. “He was accepted recently. Today is his first day.” “Interesting.” I mutter and the word is quiet, and deadly. My fingers lace together slowly on the table. “And where exactly is this… new intern?” I ask, tilting my head slightly. No one speaks again, and my lips press into a thin line.

"And the smear article on LinkedIn, was that just 'angry'? Hiring trolls to attack me, was that just 'angry'? Spreading rumors about me all over town, was that just 'angry'?" "Victoria, I'm sorry! I am so, so sorry!" Suddenly, Preston dropped to his knees, his legs hitting the floor with a hard thud. "I'm begging you! I'll get on my knees and beg you to come back and save the firm!" "I'll make you a named partner! Chen & Sterling! Your name first!" "I'll give you my shares! Fifty-one percent! You'll be the majority owner!" My mother's face twisted in disgust. I looked down at the man kneeling on my floor. "You're sorry now?"

“No. Someone’s claiming the credit card you gave me is dirty money and calling me a corporate bloodsucker who embezzles company funds.” The other side went silent for three seconds before sending a voice message. Her tone was calm, carrying the quiet authority of someone used to being obeyed. “I’ll be there at nine tomorrow morning.” If Julian put even half the energy he showed today into his actual work, his internship evaluation wouldn’t be full of C’s. That night, I opened the forum and saw his latest posts. And there wasn’t just one; there were ten in a row. Each title was more sensational than the last, packed with the kind of buzzwords that went viral online:

[Secondly, you used a pair of ripped stockings to spread rumors online, falsely accusing me of sleeping with a client. You incited a mob to doxx me. I’ve already filed a police report, and my lawyers are currently collecting evidence.] Seeing me push back so fiercely, several people in the group spoke up in my defense. [VICs have assigned sales associates. How is that “stealing” a sale? I can’t even!] [Some interns these days act too entitled! I pulled your sales history. Two months in, and you haven’t even hit five hundred thousand dollars. What exactly are you barking about?]

"Ms. Strallen, it's all my fault! I've always been slow and not very good with numbers. But when we were alone, why didn't you point out my mistake? Why did you have to wait until Mr. Cooper is here to complain about me?" Edward sided with her. He looked at me condescendingly and questioned, "Jenny is just an intern. What does it matter if she made a mistake on a contract? Don't forget. You were once an intern, too–and you've made mistakes as well. You were yelled at badly back then. What? You think you get to lord over her and criticize her just because you're higher in rank?" The office door was wide open. The staff outside were all of my subordinates. If they heard this, how was I suppose

She asks me about my job. — So, the internship? Is it going well? You look… tired. I force a smile. — Everything's fine, Mum. It's intense, but it's a great opportunity. I'm well paid, too. Really well. She looks at me, not entirely convinced. — And that new apartment you told me about last night? What's it like? Is it better than the old one? — Gorgeous. Modern. Big. I lie by omission. I don't say it's a gilded cage.

River greets, out of breath and panting like he had just ran a forty-mile race. “Uh, are you lost, sir?” The woman asks, whisking her ebony hair away from her eyes. River scowls at her tone and becomes annoyed by the probing look in her eyes. “Miss, I know I look a hot mess, but I’m not lost. I’m the new intern.” River implores, still out of breath but faultless in his own defense. “By my understanding, you’re here to interview for that internship.” The woman challenges with a sour tone.

I didn't mean for it to come out harsh, I shrugged, anyway I need to know. He froze for a moment, I'm using him because it's a guy. A young man didn't over twenty-one, “I… I'm an intern.” He gulped. “My name is Abel Morris.” “Oh, welcome onboard.” I flash him a smile to ease the tension in him. I saw him visibly relax, I took my seat and turn on my laptop. “And you were placed to work directly under me because?” I mean, he's an intern student which should be place where the practical work is.

He told me yesterday I’m worse than our Mom. Nina: Haha. Sounds like a normal man. Give him time. He’ll secretly love it. There was a pause, then another message came through. Nina: The office feels weird without you. And we have a neew intern; some kid named Tyler. He is super clumsy. He met Mr. Reginald's eyes and got scared. He knocked over and spilled an entire latte on the conference room projector during the Monday briefing. He ruined the slides and the carpet. Everyone pretended it was fine but you could hear the collective internal screaming.