Chapter 3
I could handle workplace politics.
But spreading nasty rumors about a girl's innocence? That was way out of line.
The next morning, the company group chat blew up.
Someone anonymously dropped a bunch of photos.
In those pics, I was wearing skimpy clothes, striking sexy poses in front of fancy cars, and there were even some pretty racy bedroom shots.
The caption was even nastier. It read: [This intern is actually an escort. She only comes to work to land herself a sugar daddy. 600 bucks a night, guaranteed.]
Anyone with half a clue about Photoshop could see my face was just slapped on there; the lighting didn't even match.
But for people who wanted dirt, that was all the proof they needed.
The moment I walked into the office, the noise died down instantly.
Everyone was staring at me with those gross, sleazy looks.
Whispers buzzed in my ears like flies.
Someone said, "Look, that's her. 6 hundred a night? What a bargain."
Another said, "She always acts so innocent, but turns out she's wild behind closed doors."
Someone had splashed red paint all over my desk.
It read: [Slut, get out of the company.]
I was shaking with rage as I stormed straight into Kevin's office.
I said, "Mr. Drew, are you seriously not going to do anything about those rumors in the group chat? I want you to pull up the security footage and track down that anonymous account."
Kevin was lounging with his feet propped up on the desk, and when he saw me walk in, a sleazy glint flashed in his eyes.
He got up slowly and locked the door.
"Charlotte, does it even matter if those photos are real or not?" Kevin said.
He started walking toward me, that disgusting reek of cigarettes hitting me like a wall.
"If everyone's saying it, then it's true. You want to prove you're innocent? Fat chance," Kevin said.
He backed me into the corner, his greasy hand reaching out, trying to grope my face.
Kevin chuckled and said, his voice oozing sleaze, "But if you're willing to get a little closer to me? I can make all this disappear for you.
"Just make sure you keep me satisfied, and that whole S-level project bonus? It's all yours."
My stomach churned with disgust, but I forced myself to keep it together and quietly switched on the recorder in my pocket.
"Back off, Mr. Drew," I said, my voice cold and unwavering despite the fury burning inside me.
"Drop the act. With those photos out there, who are you trying to fool?" Kevin said.
Kevin lunged at me.
I was ready for this. I dodged to the side, grabbed the ashtray off the desk, and raised it, ready to bash him if he came any closer.
Kevin flinched, startled, and didn't dare make another move.
I took the chance, unlocked the door, and dashed out.
Outside, Vanessa was standing by the break room door, shouting for everyone to hear.
She said, "Oh my god, I just saw Charlotte coming out of Mr. Drew's office looking all disheveled. Seriously, in broad daylight? How shameless can she get?"
Just then, Kevin's wife, Linda Drew, called to check up on him.
Vanessa made sure to say extra loud, "Hey, Mrs. Drew, you really need to keep an eye on things. There are some real homewreckers in this company; they'll do anything to climb the ladder."
She was out to destroy me.
Lunchtime rolled around.
I'd just stepped into the stairwell to get some air when, out of nowhere, the fire door slammed and locked behind me.
Someone said, "Lock that shameless bitch in there and let her think about what she's done."
Vanessa's little minions were laughing their heads off outside.
The stairwell was icy cold, the chill seeping right into my bones.
I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees.
Even though my phone barely had any signal, I still managed to back up the recordings and every bit of evidence I'd collected these past couple of days to the cloud.
I didn't shed a single tear.
I kept my eyes glued to the countdown ticking away on my phone.
Just one more day, tomorrow was the company's big annual gala.