Chapter 2

2.

The interns went on a full strike.

Rallied by Lacey, they convinced themselves that management couldn't punish an entire group.

They believed that if they pushed hard enough, I would back down and wipe the debt clean.

During Monday's morning meeting, I waited three hours for them to show up.

I sent countless reminders before the room was finally full.

Lacey sauntered in last.

She crossed her legs, popped in her earbuds, and started fixing her makeup, completely ignoring me.

"Lacey, where is the merger proposal I asked for last week?"

She clicked her tongue, kicking the table with her heel.

"Manager Cole, I have clinical depression. I can't handle stress."

"I had it under control, but after being harassed by disgusting people yesterday, I couldn't sleep. I'm in no condition to work."

"Those who can do more, should do more. You're the big boss, so handle it yourself."

"Exactly! We Gen-Z came here to be treated with respect, not to slave away for corporate exploiters!"

"You're just a mid-level manager, stop acting like you own the place. Fire us all if you dare!"

Contemptuous glares swept over me from every direction.

I almost laughed out loud.

Did these spoiled kids really think I needed them here?

I turned to another intern, keeping my voice completely level.

"Tyler, what about your market analysis? Did you skip that too?"

Tyler, a young guy in the back, slumped in his chair, scrolling through TikTok with an arrogant smirk.

"Just give up, Garrett. Lacey made it clear. Once you pay off the bill and get on your knees to apologize, we'll think about going back to work."

I glanced around the room, seeing they were all united in defying me.

I didn't argue. Instead, I pulled the security footage from the conference room and sent it straight to HR.

"Interns are engaging in deliberate work slowdowns, chronic tardiness, and severe insubordination."

"Multiple warnings have failed. I request immediate termination for these individuals to set a standard."

The meeting ended in dead silence.

With the workload piling up, I stayed late at the office for several days.

I also deducted every single cent of their monthly performance bonuses.

They despised me for it, treating Lacey like a martyr as they huddled together for support.

Leaving the office past midnight, I heard a familiar voice near the stairwell.

"Garrett Cole is an absolute creep. You should see the predatory way he looks at me!"

"I was willing to tolerate him because he's loaded, but he turned out to be a broke cheapskate demanding a hundred grand back!"

"He picked Cabo just so he could force me into a romantic getaway. Now that his little coercion scheme failed, he's trying to ruin my life! Why won't he just drop dead?"

Lacey was sobbing on a live stream, putting on a heartbreaking victim act.

I walked up slowly and watched her for a moment.

Then, I spoke up calmly.

"Lacey, defamation is a serious crime. Do you really think I don't have video evidence?"

She froze, a flicker of panic in her eyes, but quickly put her guard back up.

"What did I lie about? Isn't that exactly who you are?"

She raised her chin defiantly.

"No woman would lie about being harassed. The second I drop the story about your misconduct, your entire career will go up in flames!"

"Is that so?"

I smirked.

"Spread whatever lies you want. I have plenty of ways to prove my innocence. But what about you? Finance sent multiple payment demands. Can you afford that hundred grand?"

My words hit her right where it hurt.

Lacey turned pale with rage, trembling from head to toe.

Suddenly, she raised her phone, zoomed in on my face, and pointed the camera directly at me.

"Look at this, guys! This dirty predator is using money to force me into being his mistress!"

"I refused to give in, so now he's threatening to fire me and destroy my reputation!"

Her live stream blew up instantly, flooded with outraged viewers typing furious insults.

"Stay strong, Lacey! We're going to dox this creep!"

"Disgusting pervert! Get away from her!"

"What company employs trash like this? Fire this scumbag immediately!"

Comments flooded the screen at lightning speed. I didn't look away, smiling calmly right into the camera.

"The truth will always prevail. I've done nothing wrong."

"Use whatever dirty tricks you want. Let's see if you can stay this confident in court."

Lacey's face flushed bright red. I ignored her, pulled out my phone, and walked away.

"I just emailed you the evidence. File a formal lawsuit against Lacey Brooks for defamation and extortion. No settlement."

My lawyer acknowledged the order and drafted the complaint that very night.

The next morning, the department atmosphere was thick with tension.

The interns shot me mocking looks, whispering and giggling behind their hands.

When I stepped into the elevator, a couple of them intentionally shoved me, nearly slamming my head against the wall.

While I held back my anger, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a wire transfer confirmation for $100,000.

The sender was Tyler.

"I'm really sorry, Manager Cole. I know I messed up."

"I never wanted to disrespect you, and I can't afford to lose this job. Lacey forced us. She has powerful connections, and I was terrified of crossing her."

I stared at the screen for a long time before sending half of it back to him.

"Consider fifty grand the price of this lesson. Stay out of the rest, and let justice run its course."