Chapter 2

The next morning, I brought the bag to the company's front desk.

The receptionist had just finished applying her lipstick. When she saw me, she immediately stood up. "Good morning, Miss Shaw."

"Morning."

I placed the bag on the counter. "Someone left this with Mr. Gray yesterday. Put it in lost and found."

"Okay, should I log who lost it?"

"No need." I adjusted my cuffs. "It's nothing valuable anyway. If no one claims it, just treat it as scrap."

With that, I swiped my card and entered the elevator.

At three in the afternoon, I went to the R&D department to review last quarter's expense reports.

Ethan was discussing architecture with several core team members.

I sat at a nearby workstation checking data. Ethan didn't even glance at me, still stone-faced while reprimanding people.

"Who set this parameter? Did water get into their brain?"

The engineer being scolded kept his head down, not daring to make a sound.

The atmosphere was oppressive.

Until a high-pitched voice broke the silence.

"Everyone's working so hard! I bought afternoon tea for you all!"

Mia Smith walked in carrying two large bags from Starbucks.

She was wearing a knit sweater today with a rather low neckline, bending over to distribute coffee to the engineers around her.

"Thanks, Mia!"

"Mia, you're so thoughtful!"

Several male colleagues smiled as they accepted the drinks.

Mia finally walked to Ethan's desk and pulled out a delicate little box.

It was a pink heart-shaped mousse cake.

"Mr. Gray, I made this myself—low sugar, low calorie. I saved it especially for you."

She held the cake with both hands, leaning forward so that half her chest was practically pressed against Ethan's desk.

She even made a point of displaying the sticky note on it, which had a smiley face drawn on it.

I closed my folder with a sharp snap.

Mia acted as if she'd only just noticed me. "Oh my! Miss Shaw, you're here too?"

She looked at me with an innocent expression. "I'm so sorry, Miss Shaw. I thought you were in the audit department, so I didn't prepare one for you."

The room went quiet for a second.

This cheap tactic—I couldn't even be bothered to respond.

"It's fine." I said coolly. "I don't eat street vendor food, and I don't eat unlicensed products."

Mia's face froze. "This is my own baking, made with all imported ingredients..."

"Without a food business license, it's an unlicensed product." I cut her off. "Also, it's work hours right now."

She bit her lip and looked at Ethan with grievance, her eyes instantly turning red. "Mr. Gray, I just wanted everyone to relax a bit. Why is Miss Shaw targeting me like this..."

Ethan finally looked up from his screen.

He glanced at the pink cake, then at Mia.

His gaze was like he was looking at an idiot.

"The R&D department has regulations prohibiting any food or sugary drinks from being brought in."

Ethan's voice had no warmth whatsoever.

"Employee handbook, Chapter 3, Article 5. Did you not memorize it?"

Mia froze. "I... I thought it was just afternoon tea..."

"Take it out."

Ethan pointed at the door. "Next time I see these non-compliant items on my desk, you'll disappear along with them."

Mia's tears actually fell.

She picked up the cake and ran out.

The surrounding engineers exchanged glances and quickly lowered their heads to drink their coffee, not daring to speak.

I reopened my folder and continued checking the data.

Ethan turned his head. "Miss Shaw, are you done checking that parameter from earlier?"

"Not yet." I didn't look up. "This travel expense claim is over budget. Resubmit it."

"Got it. I'll follow Miss Shaw's instructions."

There was a trace of barely perceptible amusement in his tone.

But I knew Mia definitely wouldn't let this go.

Sure enough, within half an hour, an anonymous post appeared on the company's internal forum.