I went undercover as an intern at my brother's company, hiding my identity. But after three months of hard work, HR informed me I failed the probation period. They were also withholding my entire salary. "The reason?" "You took 3 days off." I looked at the HR manager, amused. "First, it was bereavement leave. My grandfather passed away." "Second, I followed every legal procedure." "Third..." I turned to look at another intern who started with me, Chloe Davis. "She took off three times this month just for period cramps." "Why did she pass probation?" HR looked at me with disdain. "This company belongs to her family. Why do you think?" "Besides, period cramps can be excruciating. It feels like dying." "You just had a grandfather die. What gives you the right to take leave?" 1 On the last day of my internship, I was called into the office of HR Manager Linda Fox. "Sarah, your application for full-time employment has been rejected." Hearing this, I wasn't surprised. "Additionally, because your excessive leave during the internship severely impacted workflow, per company policy, your entire salary for the three months will be deducted." I finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Manager Fox, I need an explanation." My reaction seemed to anger her. She sat up straight, her narrow eyes glaring at me sharply. "Explanation? What explanation do you need? It's written in black and white: leave cannot exceed two days. How long were you gone?" "Three days," I replied calmly. "First, I took bereavement leave for my grandfather. That is a legally protected right." "Second, I submitted all necessary documentation and received approval from my department head." "Third..." My gaze moved past her to the figure outside the office, laughing charmingly with colleagues. "Chloe Davis, who started with me, took leave three times in three months for period pain. Seven days each time, totaling 21 days. Why did she pass probation smoothly?" Linda scoffed, leaning back lazily in her chair. "Sarah, did you lose your brain during the internship? You're comparing yourself to Chloe?" "Didn't you ask around? Do you know whose family owns this company?" "Besides, Chloe's cramps are life-threatening. It could affect future generations. And you?" She scanned me up and down, her lips curling in contempt. "You just had a grandfather die, right?" "Old people die eventually. Is that such a big deal to take three days off? So dramatic." I lowered my eyes and didn't argue further. Amidst her endless chatter and biting sarcasm, I silently reached into my pocket. My finger slid along the side of my phone and pressed the lock button. Before the screen went dark, I clearly saw the bright red, ticking timer of the voice recorder. Good. All the evidence is here. 2 Holding my water bottle, I walked back to my desk in the Marketing Department, expressionless. The bustling office quieted instantly. Everyone's eyes focused on me like spotlights. Some pitied, some were curious, but most were gloating. I could hear whispered gossip buzzing like flies. Ignoring everyone, I walked straight to my seat and started packing. Keyboard, mouse pad, a mug I used for three years, and a few professional books. When I picked up the proposal for "Project Starlight," my fingers paused. This plan, which cost me countless sleepless nights, had become the brightest highlight on Chloe's resume. I remembered clearly how my direct supervisor, Tom Wilson—a middle-aged man with a receding hairline who lived by the motto "less trouble is better"—handed this proposal to Chloe in front of the entire department. He praised her "exceptional talent and promising future." And me, the actual creator? I got a dismissive, "Sarah participated too. Keep working hard." All this happened because everyone firmly believed Chloe was a relative of the Chairman. "Oh my, Sarah, what are you doing?" Chloe sashayed over to me, looking down with feigned surprise and syrupy sweetness. "Why are you packing? Did Manager Fox say something harsh?" "Please don't take it to heart. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart." She reached out to hold down my box, but I dodged sideways. Too lazy to look at her, I continued sweeping clutter into the box. Feeling ignored, her voice took on a tone of victorious boasting: "But don't be too sad. Just because this company didn't work out doesn't mean others won't. How about this? In a few days, I'll ask my relatives to look out for you and introduce you to a good job. How does that sound?" I finally stopped, looked up at her, and said nothing. Uncomfortable under my gaze, she puffed out her chest anyway. I picked up the box, stood up, and walked away. "Sarah!" The receptionist, Jenny, ran over, grabbing my arm, her eyes red. "These people are too much! It's bullying!" Jenny was the only person in the company who treated me as a friend. I patted her hand, slipped the voice recorder into her pocket, and whispered, "Keep this safe for me." She froze, then nodded heavily. I didn't look back. Hugging the box, I walked step by step toward the elevator. Passing the huge glass wall, I could see the faces inside, each harboring their own schemes. The elevator doors closed slowly, cutting off all sights and sounds. 3 Three days later, it was the company's New Employee Welcome Gala. I hadn't planned on going. A fired employee attending her own welcome party sounded like a joke. But Jenny's calls nearly blew up my phone. "Sarah, are you really not coming? Just come keep me company, I'm so bored alone." "Come on, come on! The food is free anyway, don't waste it!" Looking at my pale face in the mirror, the refusal on my lips was swallowed back. Maybe I should go. To see how Chloe accepts everyone's congratulations as the victor. Before I could decide, an unexpected call came in. It was my brother, Ethan. "Sarah, where are you?" His voice was familiar, slightly tired but steady as always. "Home. Ethan, aren't you on a business trip in Europe? Finished so early?" "Changed plans, just landed." He paused, a hint of a smile in his voice. "I have a surprise for you tonight. To celebrate our Sarah's successful employment, I prepared a gift." My heart sank. "What surprise?" "Not telling you yet. Get ready, wait for me to pick you up." Before I could ask more, he hung up. I stared at the dark screen, an ominous feeling rising in my chest. Meanwhile, at the Starfall Hotel ballroom, the scene was lavish and bustling. Ethan, in a perfectly tailored suit, attracted everyone's attention the moment he stepped in. His appearance froze the air for a few seconds. No one expected the elusive big boss to attend a small new employee welcome party. Ignoring the executives trying to chat him up, his cold gaze scanned the room, searching for someone. Once, twice. He frowned slightly. Sarah wasn't there. His gaze finally landed on the reception desk, on a familiar figure—Jenny. He knew Jenny. Sarah had mentioned she was her only friend at the company. Ethan strode over with his long legs. "Hello, Mr. Vance!" Startled, Jenny nearly knocked over her champagne. She stood straight, greeting him nervously. "Where is Sarah?" Ethan got straight to the point. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried undeniable pressure. "S-Sarah... she..." Jenny's eyes panicked instantly, dodging his gaze. "She... she's not feeling well today, so... so she didn't come." Ethan stared at her, unconsciously twisting the ring on his finger. "Not feeling well?" He repeated, tone unreadable. "I spoke to her on the phone minutes ago. She didn't say she was unwell." Jenny's face turned white instantly. Her lips trembled, unable to utter a word. Her reaction explained more than any words could. Ethan's heart sank. He realized something was wrong. 4 Just as Ethan's patience was running out, the ballroom lights dimmed, and a spotlight hit the center stage. The host enthusiastically announced the start of the New Employee Welcome Gala. Then, HR Manager Linda Fox, wearing a brand-new suit, walked onto the stage beaming. Enjoying the attention, she cleared her throat and spoke in a dramatic cadence: "Good evening, leaders and colleagues!" "Today is a day for celebration. Our company has injected fresh blood once again." "After three months of strict evaluation, a group of outstanding interns has emerged to become official members of our family!" Polite applause rippled through the audience. Ethan sat in the VIP corner, his grip on the wine glass tightening, his cold gaze locked on Linda. "Now, I will announce the list of employees who successfully passed probation!" Linda's voice pitched up, unable to hide her smugness. She picked up the cue card and began reading. "Tech Department: Mark Johnson, Leo Smith..." "Admin Department: Emily Brown..." With each name, small cheers and applause erupted. Ethan's face darkened inch by inch. The pressure around him dropped so low that executives wanting to toast him stayed away. "Finally," Linda dragged out the word, building suspense, her face piled with a fawning smile. "I want to grandly introduce the pride of our Marketing Department. Not only did she contribute several excellent ideas during her internship, but her performance was far ahead of everyone else. She is our company's future star—Miss Chloe Davis!" The spotlight instantly swung to Chloe in the audience. Wearing a designer cocktail dress, she stood up elegantly, waving to colleagues around her, her face wearing the reserve and pride of a winner. The loudest applause of the night erupted. On stage, Linda continued her lavish praise: "Miss Davis's excellence is obvious to all. Her joining will surely bring new vitality to Vance Group! Let's welcome Chloe Davis officially joining us with another round of applause!" Thunderous applause. Ethan's gaze swept over Chloe without pausing, returning to Linda's face. He listened quietly. Until Linda closed the cue card and said "That concludes the list" with a smile. He never heard the name he wanted to hear most. Sarah. His sister, Sarah's name, was not on the list. Amidst the endless applause, Ethan stood up, face frosty. He slammed his wine glass onto the table. The thud was muffled in the noise, but it made those nearby jump. Striding forward, ignoring everyone, he walked straight toward the brilliantly lit stage. The crowd parted automatically. The applause faded. Everyone looked at the unsmiling big boss in confusion, wondering what he was doing. Linda, immersed in her perfect hosting, turned to find Ethan's freezing face inches away. Her smile froze. She stammered: "M-Mr. Vance, you..." Ignoring her, Ethan reached out and took the microphone from her stunned hand. The feedback screech pierced through the speakers. The entire hall went dead silent. His cold eyes swept over every confused face. His voice, amplified, rang clearly through the hall: "Where is my sister, Sarah?" 5 Those six words hit everyone like a sledgehammer. People applauding moments ago froze, faces full of disbelief. Sister? Mr. Vance's sister? Which Sarah? Instantly, everyone's eyes swept the room like searchlights, looking for the unnoticed, forgotten figure. But that corner was empty. Linda's face went from red to white, then white to green in a second. Her hand holding the cue card shook like a leaf in the wind. She opened her mouth, throat blocked, unable to speak. How could she be Mr. Vance's sister? That plainly dressed intern who never argued and let me bully her? In the audience, Chloe's triumphant smile froze. Her designer dress seemed to lose its luster. She stood there stiffly, as if doused in ice water. Seeing Linda silent, Ethan turned his icy gaze to her. "Manager Fox, are you deaf? I asked you, why isn't Sarah on the list?" The "Manager Fox" made Linda tremble. She forced a smile uglier than crying and stammered: "M-Mr. Vance, is there a mistake? We don't have an intern named Sarah becoming full-time... Oh, there was one, but she... she..." "What about her?" Ethan pressed, voice colder. "Failed the assessment?" "Yes, yes! Failed!" Linda nodded frantically, grasping at straws. "She... she took excessive leave, seriously violating company rules, so... so..." "Excessive leave?" Ethan sneered, dropping the room temperature another few degrees. "How many days? For what?" "Th-three... three days..." Linda's voice shrank, eyes darting, afraid to meet Ethan's. "Because... family issues..." "Family issues?" Ethan's voice spiked, sharp as a blade. "Since when did Vance Group culture become so cold-blooded? Is a funeral in an employee's family just 'issues' to you, Manager Fox?" Funeral?! The audience exploded. Whispers spread like a tide. "Sarah took bereavement leave?" "Omg, fired for bereavement leave? That's inhumane!" "I remember Chloe took three sick leaves this month..." Hearing every word, Linda broke into a cold sweat. She knew she was done. In desperation, she pointed at Chloe in the audience, trying to divert the fire: "Mr. Vance! It's not my fault! I... I was doing it for the company! Miss Davis... Miss Davis is your..." She didn't finish, but her fawning look said it all. She thought Chloe was someone to Ethan, so she sucked up to her, even firing an innocent intern. "My what?" Ethan's gaze finally landed on the pale Chloe, filled with scrutiny and disgust. Chloe trembled under his look, stepping back instinctively. Linda, mind blank, just wanted to push the blame away. She almost screamed the truth: "I thought Miss Davis was your fiancée, our future boss's wife! She said her family owned the company! Manager Wilson said so too! I just... I just wanted to clear obstacles for the boss's wife, that's why I fired that annoying Sarah! Mr. Vance, I did it for you!" These words hit like a thunderbolt, stunning everyone. Guessing the boss's mind? Future boss's wife? Clearing obstacles? The hall was terrifyingly quiet. Everyone looked between the icy Ethan, the panicked Linda, and the teetering Chloe. A carefully prepared welcome gala turned into an absurd farce. And the core of this farce was an intern everyone thought they could bully. Ethan listened expressionlessly to Linda's incoherent explanation, eyes deep as a bottomless well. He said nothing more, slowly turning to look at the entrance. As everyone held their breath, guessing what the young CEO would do next, the ballroom doors were pushed open from the outside. 6 All eyes focused on the opening doors. I walked in. Behind me was Jenny, clutching my arm tight, palms sweaty. The noisy venue was now quiet enough to hear breathing. Hundreds of gazes—shock, confusion, schadenfreude, disbelief—covered me like a net. Ignoring everyone, I walked straight through the crowd toward the brightly lit stage. People instinctively made way. I saw Tom Wilson, looking at me with a complex expression, lips moving soundlessly. I saw colleagues who used to mock me to please Chloe now lowering their heads, afraid to meet my eyes. On stage, Linda looked like she'd seen a ghost, color draining from her face. "You... how are you here? Who let you in!" she shrieked, voice twisted with fear. I didn't answer. I walked onto the stage and stood beside my brother, Ethan. Ethan said nothing, just gave me a reassuring look. That was enough. Linda was still screaming hysterically: "Mr. Vance, don't listen to her! She's just a disgruntled fired intern here to make trouble! Security! Where is security!" I took my phone from my pocket and, under everyone's gaze, pressed play. Next second, Linda's familiar, acerbic voice echoed through the speakers to every corner of the hall. "The reason?" — That was my calm question. "You took three days off." — Linda's contemptuous answer. ... "She took off three times this month just for period cramps. Why did she pass probation?" "This company belongs to her family. Why do you think?" When this sentence played, the audience gasped. Everyone's eyes shot like knives toward the teetering Chloe. The recording continued, Linda's voice even more vicious: "Besides, period cramps can be excruciating. It feels like dying." "You just had a grandfather die. What gives you the right to take leave?" "Just had a grandfather die." These words hit everyone's heart like a hammer. The hall was deathly silent; whispers vanished, leaving only Linda's harsh voice echoing. Linda broke down completely. She lunged to grab my phone but was blocked by Ethan's bodyguards. The recording didn't stop. It even captured Tom Wilson's voice, timidly reporting to Linda how he seamlessly attributed my "Project Starlight" proposal—result of three all-nighters—to Chloe. The truth was revealed nakedly, cruelly, undeniably. Chloe's scam, Linda's bullying, Tom's cowardice, and the ugly faces of the sycophants were all exposed. I saw Chloe's legs give out under the contemptuous stares, collapsing to the floor in disgrace. The male colleagues who once fawned over her now looked at her with disgust. The recording ended with a sharp static noise, leaving the hall in a silence more terrifying than before.
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