Chapter 2

Afternoon snacks at the office came with a little extra flair: birthday perks.

Whenever someone had a birthday, the company would prepare a special gift.

Even the afternoon snacks would include an extra slice of cake for the lucky employee.

It was my first week on the job, and I received the same treatment. But as I unwrapped the chestnut cake, I couldn't help frowning at the flavor.

A male colleague at the next desk noticed and offered, "Not a fan of chestnut cake?

"I've got mousse cake. Want to trade?"

"Thanks," I replied with a smile, swapping cakes with him. Before I could take a bite, Sandra's head popped up from her desk like a prairie dog.

"Ugh, juice again? I'm so sick of it," she said, wrinkling her nose.

Her eyes darted to Pablo's cake. "Oh, Pablo, you've got cake! Let me have a bite."

Without waiting for an answer, she reached out, but Pablo swiftly moved the plate out of her reach.

Sandra's hand grabbed at thin air, and her smile froze. "Wow, stingy much? It's just a bite of cake. Why so selfish?"

Someone nearby couldn't help but tease, "Sandra, don't act innocent. You've been eating Pablo's cakes for ages. No wonder he doesn't want to share anymore."

"Me? Please. He only has cake once a year on his birthday! How many chances do I even get to eat it?" Sandra scoffed, trying to sound indignant.

"Besides, my family owns this company. What's the big deal if I take a bite?"

"Then why not buy Pablo a big one? We could all share!" someone joked, prompting a ripple of laughter.

Sandra's hand instinctively clutched her pocket. "This is the company's way of showing care to employees. No need for me to overshadow that."

But her eyes lingered on Pablo's coffee, and she wasn't done yet.

"Pablo, is that coffee from the hand-brewed shop downstairs? I hate juice. How about we trade?"

Pablo didn't even glance her way. Instead, he picked up the cup and took a deliberate sip right in front of her.

Moments later, the supervisor called Pablo over to hand in some documents, and he left his desk.

Sandra's eyes darted around, and when she saw no one was paying attention, she swooped in, grabbing Pablo's cake and all his birthday gifts.

Back at her desk, she devoured the cake in a matter of seconds, washing it down with her juice before leisurely unwrapping the rest of his gifts to "test" them out.

When Pablo returned and found his desk empty, he marched straight to Sandra, his face red with anger.

"What's your problem? Why did you take my stuff again?"

Sandra didn't even blink. "Watch your tone. What do you mean, 'take'? I was just borrowing them."

"Then give them back!"

Sandra smirked, tossing some ground coffee into her mug and taking a sip before handing it to him.

"Here, your ground coffee."

Pablo's frustration boiled over. He slapped the mug away, coffee spilling everywhere.

"Sandra, can you stop? Can't you go a day without freeloading?"

Sandra's smile turned icy. "Why are you so uptight? We're coworkers. What's the big deal about sharing a bit of coffee?"

Her tone grew sharper. "Cheap people like you really are pathetic. This skirt I'm wearing cost 100 grand. Remember to pay for it if you damage it!"

"You—" Pablo spluttered, too angry to speak. Sandra cut him off, smirking as she played her favorite card.

"Don't forget, my family owns this company. If I want you gone, it's just one word from me."