As soon as Eleanor Winslow arrived at the law firm for work, she was called into the office by the project manager.
Also present in the office was Cecilia Yates, who was an intern just like her.
The atmosphere in the office was heavy, and Eleanor had a bad premonition.
"Eleanor, how did you do with the work that was scheduled to be completed by last Friday?" The project manager asked with a displeased expression.
Eleanor replied, "I finished it and handed my work over to Cecilia Yates before getting off work on Thursday, so she could continue with the subsequent tasks."
Eleanor and Cecilia were working on the same project, and some level of cooperation was inevitable.
Cecilia appeared shocked, "Eleanor, the market research report you gave me was completely off topic, the evidence chain was vague, and the observations were unconvincing. You completely delayed the project progress! I had to work the whole weekend to finish your part and then do my own. Working here isn’t like school where you can slack off; you can’t just shirk responsibility."
Her words instantly labeled Eleanor as negligent and deflecting responsibility.
Having grown up seeing the schemes and dark tactics in elite circles, alongside her previous experiences with workplace games in the Mayfield Tech project group, Eleanor instantly realized that Cecilia was trying to set her up!
"Eleanor, show me the email correspondence," the project manager demanded.
Before Eleanor could respond, Cecilia had already opened her email to show the project manager, "Look, there’s no correspondence between us these past few days."
"Cecilia, on Thursday you said there was an issue with your email. When I handed over the market research, I used a USB stick. If I didn’t provide any deliverables, then how did you have this subpar market research report?"
"It’s because you knew your work wouldn’t meet the delivery standards, so you used a USB stick to avoid leaving evidence," Cecilia retorted, "Who knows if you planned to claim my hard-earned weekend work as your own?"
Eleanor found her distasteful, and with a cold expression, she opened her bag, took out her USB drive, plugged it into the computer, and showed the project manager her research report.
The report was clear and concise, the project manager nodded with approval but then appeared puzzled, "Eleanor, why is the content in yours different from Cecilia’s?"
Eleanor then carefully examined Cecilia’s so-called market research and found it unfamiliar, completely unlike her work!
Eleanor looked at Cecilia, who met her gaze with apparent calmness.
But on closer inspection, there was a hint of arrogance and a declaration of war in her eyes.
"Yeah! Why is it different?" Cecilia widened her eyes in feigned surprise, and then suddenly realized, "Eleanor, did you deliberately give me a bad report, trying to sabotage the work?" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Most people would first think something was "given incorrectly," only those with certain agendas would suspect it was given bad on purpose.
"Why would I want to sabotage your work?"
"We’re both interns; you’re jealous that I get more attention."
Eleanor mentally cursed this fool and countered, "How can you prove what you showed me is what I passed to you?"
"I can’t prove it," Cecilia said, feigning grievance, "Aren’t you just taking advantage that I can’t prove it to play tricks?"
"Cecilia, that goes for you too. Who’s to say you didn’t secretly switch the report—"
"Enough!" The project manager interrupted Eleanor impatiently, "I don’t care which of you has the problem, luckily this time the project wasn’t delayed. If it happens again, both of you are out!"
The project manager paused, "Eleanor, you may leave; Cecilia, stay."
The project manager spoke to Eleanor with coldness and impatience, yet slightly more temperately when addressing Cecilia.
Eleanor’s expression darkened: the project manager trusted Cecilia more.
Half an hour later, Cecilia exited the office and paused briefly as she passed Eleanor’s desk, giving her a glance.
All afternoon, Eleanor received no new tasks, as if all her colleagues couldn’t see her.
Until close to the end of the day, the project manager needed someone to deliver some documents but no one was available, and Cecilia suggested having the only available person, Eleanor, go.
Cecilia handed the documents to Eleanor, whispering with a smile, "Eleanor, this internship, aren’t you uncomfortable?"
Eleanor glanced at her, finding her strange.
"Cecilia, what’s your purpose in doing this?"
"Nothing," Cecilia looked innocent, "I just think if this job doesn’t suit you, it’s better to leave sooner."
In an instant, Eleanor felt a sudden clarity, understanding everything.
Cecilia was trying to make her disliked by leaders and instigating colleagues to ostracize her, wanting her to leave the company, to resign voluntarily!
Eleanor found it somewhat amusing.
"Cecilia, I am just an intern. If I really messed up at work, the company could easily fire me. But they haven’t, meaning they don’t think it’s my fault, or at least they can’t be sure. Cecilia, they are also doubting you, doing this gains you nothing!"
Cecilia’s face briefly showed fear at the mention of "they are also doubting you," but she quickly composed herself.
"Stop making things up!" Cecilia glanced at the documents, "Hurry and take these to the TV station."
Eleanor found Cecilia’s expression odd, and upon careful inspection, there seemed to be a trace of anticipation in her eyes.
Only upon seeing the contact’s name at the TV station did Eleanor realize Cecilia’s malicious intent!
"Our Miss Winslow is busy right now, please wait outside," Mia Winslow’s assistant said before leaving, her attitude utterly condescending.
This wait lasted an hour, during which no one offered Eleanor a drink or a place to sit, obviously an act of intimidation.
After an hour passed, Eleanor saw Mia Winslow’s assistant come out to receive a delivery order of bubble tea.
"May I ask when Miss Mia Winslow will be available?" Eleanor stopped her, "If she is unavailable today, our firm can come another day."
Eleanor didn’t want to waste time here.
"Aren’t you supposed to serve the client? Miss Winslow has to see this file today, but she’s not available now. Given how much we’re paying you, just wait when we say so!" Mia Winslow’s assistant gave her a dismissive look.
"You know who I am, right?" Eleanor looked directly into her eyes.
The assistant didn’t hide her disdain, "You’re Eleanor, aren’t you? The parasite of The Winslow Family!"
"Parasite?" Eleanor crossed her arms leisurely, "Is that how Mia Winslow told you, or is it your own interpretation?"
Before the assistant could respond, Eleanor said, "Mia Winslow is the one brought into The Winslow Family by my stepmother, occupying my room, wearing my jewelry, coveting my man. Have you heard of ’The Cuckoo in the Nest’?"