Sophia Sullivan had no appetite during lunch break.
Ethan Sullivan's morning noodles had been too delicious. Nothing else seemed appealing now.
Even her favorite rice balls tasted bland.
Grabbing coffee and a lunch box, she headed to the rooftop for fresh air.
At the fire exit, loud voices stopped her.
"Charlotte, your attitude changed awfully fast, didn't it?"
A shrill female voice rang out.
Sophia recognized Hannah Vance immediately.
She was part of the rumor-spreading clique.
Charlotte Vance stood surrounded in the center.
Sophia pulled out her phone and started recording.
Five or six people encircled Charlotte, their faces twisted with mockery.
Caleb Vance looked particularly vicious.
"Everyone knows your family's poor," he sneered. "With two deadbeat parents, you should know your place."
"Sophia only got in through connections. Once Mr. Sullivan tires of her, she'll be out on the street."
Strangers in the group joined the taunting.
"Guess you're just like Sophia, huh?"
Hannah spat the words with venom.
"Pathetic. Acting like she'd even acknowledge you."
"Know your rank, trash."
Sophia zoomed in with her camera.
Grease stains covered Charlotte's clothes. Wet hair clung to her face.
Someone had thrown food at her.
Now Sophia understood why Charlotte kept changing uniforms lately.
Not from cleanliness.
But daily humiliation.
Remembering Charlotte's earlier risk to warn her, Sophia's gaze turned glacial.
Caleb suddenly raised his hand.
"Snitch on us? I'll teach you—"
Charlotte flinched, shoulders hunching instinctively.
But the expected blow never came.
Caleb's wrist froze mid-air, locked in an iron grip.
"You dare?"
Sophia's voice could have frozen hell.
Caleb stiffened, meeting her arctic stare.
The murderous glint made his blood run cold.
"W-we were just joking..."
Sophia flung him aside violently.
Caleb crashed onto the concrete, clutching his bruised wrist in shock.
That strength had been inhuman.
Gently, Sophia brushed debris from Charlotte's clothes.
"Don't be afraid."
Her razor-sharp gaze swept the crowd.
"What do you think this company is?"
"Forming cliques is bad enough. Now you're openly bullying colleagues?"
This was her first outburst since joining.
Every syllable dripped lethal frost.
"Need a reminder?"
"You're all adults. Actions have consequences."
"If Charlotte files a police report, none of you will walk away."