Chapter 2: Turning the Tables

[So satisfying! The friend should’ve done this ages ago. Put her in her place!]

[Spoiled queen, what a two-faced act. Didn’t you just tell her to eat?]

[Oh wow, why so unhappy, sis? Didn’t you say you didn’t mind? Why aren’t you smiling now?]

[This is peak drama. These little tricks only work on people close to her. The friend just never bothered before—otherwise, how could the main girl ever compete?]

[Look, the boyfriend’s expression changed. He used to think the friend was always scheming, but now that she’s being direct, he’s at a loss.]

I let myself glance at Ethan, just to see if the chat bubbles were right. His face, usually so cold toward me, seemed to soften.

He didn’t glare at me, for once. He actually looked…confused. Like he was trying to figure out what just happened. All these years, he’d never treated me kindly. After Charlotte finished testing him, he’d always give her a helpless, doting smile. Then he’d coldly warn me there wouldn’t be a next time.

“Jenna Taylor, whatever you’re trying to do, just know your limits. Charlotte is sensitive. As her friend, you should respect boundaries.”

His words were blunt and harsh. In his eyes, I was a schemer trying to stir up trouble and climb higher.

I’d heard it all before. Facing my best friend’s secret, pleading gaze, I’d always had to swallow my grievances. I even lost a promotion that should’ve been mine, all thanks to Ethan Walsh’s prejudice.

So now? Nothing wrong with taking back what’s mine.

I smiled softly and called her out. “Of course. Otherwise, Char, what am I supposed to think? I know Ethan is very mindful of boundaries. You really shouldn’t overthink it.”

I let the words hang in the air, just long enough for her to feel the sting. Charlotte looked like she’d swallowed a lemon—her face twisted.

Only then did Ethan realize. Charlotte’s sweet request was just an excuse. He’d been busy with a new project, barely making time for this meal, only to be tested by his girlfriend yet again.

He slammed the table and said coldly, “Enough, Charlotte. How many times do we have to do this? When will you stop?”

His voice was sharp, the kind of tone that made the whole restaurant go quiet for a second. Even I flinched. He rarely lost his temper, especially in front of others.

Seeing Ethan’s dark expression, Charlotte panicked and tried to explain. “Ethan, I didn’t—I really just couldn’t use my hands, so I asked you to pick food for my best friend. I mean, one’s my boyfriend, one’s my best friend. Surely you wouldn’t mind.”

She sounded desperate, her words tumbling over each other. But no one was buying it—not even Ethan. The chat bubbles chimed in:

[Yeah, the young miss’s new manicure—so inconvenient.]

[So fake. Best friend? It’s her birthday and you didn’t even remember?]

[Best friend? Girl, please. Reported the friend, ruined her reputation, all to make yourself look good?]

[Friend, isn’t she most obsessed with her boyfriend? She’s always using you to test him—just take him already, see how she handles it.]

[Normally I don’t support women competing, but with such a messy spoiled queen, I’m all for the friend taking the boyfriend for a promotion and a raise! Main character energy!]

I looked away from the chat bubbles and at the awkward couple across from me. The tension was thick, the drama ready to explode. No way I was sticking around for the next round.

I wasn’t going to stick around for the fireworks. Today’s my birthday. I’m not letting toxic people ruin my mood.

I grabbed my bag and stood up, faking an apology. “Sorry, it’s my birthday today. I have plans with some colleagues, so I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.”

Charlotte widened her eyes dramatically, pretending to grab my hand and apologize, insisting she hadn’t forgotten on purpose.

She was laying it on thick, but I wasn’t buying it. People like her? Always self-centered. When has she ever remembered my birthday?

I gently pried her hand away and said, “It’s fine. No one’s remembered my birthday since I was a kid—I’m used to it. Honestly, if my colleagues hadn’t made a fuss, I wouldn’t even bother. Birthdays aren’t a big deal to me. Don’t feel bad. Just enjoy your time with Ethan.”

I kept my tone light, almost breezy, but the words hit their mark. After I exposed her, Charlotte’s face turned pale. Ethan frowned slightly at my words, gripping his cup tightly.

I knew my pitiful act would make this polished rich boy feel a little guilty for ruining my birthday. When it comes to playing the victim, growing up in foster care, I was born for it. If you’re going to act, go all the way.

After leaving, I called a few colleagues for a little gathering at a bar downtown. Halfway through, a familiar face showed up. I couldn’t help but smirk. Of course he’d come.

I knew he’d come—to pay the bill and apologize for earlier.

My colleagues were surprised to see Vice President Walsh show up. “Mr. Walsh, what brings you here?”

Ethan strolled in, looking calm as ever. “I was next door and saw you all, so I came to say hello.” Then he looked at me, then at the cake in front of me.

He said, “Is it someone’s birthday in our company today? Well, have a great time—this one’s on me.”

He said it with that effortless authority rich guys have, like buying out the bar for a night was no big deal. My colleagues didn’t find anything odd and cheered, “Mr. Walsh is so generous!”

After Ethan left, the chat bubbles went wild:

[Lol, the spoiled queen just picked a fight with Ethan—she’s gonna be so mad.]

[She’s wild—tells her boyfriend to serve food to her best friend, then gets mad at him for doing it. Next time, hand-feed her, maybe?]

[Didn’t she tell the boyfriend to go find the friend? The stubborn guy actually did. Next time, just let him marry the friend, okay?]

[Rich boys can’t resist a little white flower. The spoiled queen made him prejudiced against the friend, now he just feels sorry for her.]

[Either way, the boyfriend will help the friend’s career. Hope she doesn’t fumble the bag because of some weird sense of virtue.]