Chapter 2

This wasn't the first time Bethany had been passive-aggressive with me.

When I joined the company, Bethany had already been there for two years.

Initially, she was very friendly.

She helped me learn the ropes at work and answered my questions.

During breaks, she'd share snacks and tell me which takeout places nearby were good.

I was grateful, and we quickly became close.

The change happened three months after I started.

My project proposal was excellent, and Mr. Davies was very pleased. He praised me and gave me a bonus.

Half an hour later, Bethany was reprimanded for a work error.

Her salary was docked, and Mr. Davies disparaged her, saying she wasn't as good as the new hire—me.

It was just a casual comparison from Mr. Davies, and it had nothing to do with me.

But Bethany couldn't accept it. She took it to heart.

She started being passive-aggressive and belittling me.

When I needed to talk to her for work, she'd give a twisted, sneering smile.

"Oh, look, the company's star new employee is here to guide this old timer. What an honor."

"Hey, even if you're guiding me, don't get too close. You're dirty, so dirty!"

When I shared snacks or drinks with her, she'd feign shock.

"Wow, that brand is expensive! You can afford that now? Got a raise, become a rich girl, huh?"

"No need to share with me, though. I don't eat that stuff. Only my dog eats that brand."

I tried to talk to her, hoping to resolve the conflict.

But it was useless. She didn't want to. She only wanted to belittle and disgust me.

It escalated over time.

I'd wear a new outfit, and she'd quip, "Well, expensive clothes sure are different, you look like you raided your great-grandmother's attic!"

I'd get a new haircut, and she'd snicker, "A hundred sixty bucks for *that*? You somehow managed to look like a complete idiot – a perfect match for you!"

I'd put on full makeup, and she'd joke I was ready to audition as a scare actor for a haunted house.

She seized every possible opportunity to humiliate me.

From initial hurt, I grew angry and wanted to argue back.

But an older colleague, before leaving the company, clued me in:

"You know how some people act like they're experts on everything, from rocket science to politics? The type who, if you just nod along and agree, they'll be thrilled, ready to treat you like their best friend. But if you dare to point out even one tiny inaccuracy, they'll flip out, ready to kick you out of their metaphorical car. What does that tell you about that person? What do they really see you as?"

Bethany was arrogant and conceited. She never saw me as a friend.

What she always needed was a naive new hire, less capable than her, who would praise her and provide her with emotional validation.

Now that I was familiar with the company and my skills had improved, I naturally didn't need to flatter her.

I no longer fit her criteria, so I was "to be kicked out of the car."

Besides, I came to work to earn money, making friends was just a bonus—

My core purpose needed to be crystal clear.

Instantly, my internal struggle vanished. I stopped dwelling on Bethany, no longer bothered by her words.

I just ignored her.

I ignored her so thoroughly that the entire department was shocked by my apparent lack of temper. Everyone knew I wouldn't argue with her.

I had originally planned to keep ignoring her today.

After all, in my mind, she was just a buzzing fly.

But she kept making me unhappy, even on such a joyous occasion.

Not to curse her out, not to make her lose face, wouldn't that be a disservice to her?