Chapter 2Punching the Script

At lunch, Zane returned with several bags of expensive coffee for the entire department, a gesture of goodwill from the new guy. As my colleagues accepted with polite thanks, the comments flared to life again.

【WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SIDE CHARACTER? HE SHOULD PAY FOR THE COFFEE IMMEDIATELY.】

【SERIOUSLY, THIS IS THE PERFECT CHANCE TO GET ON THE MALE LEAD’S GOOD SIDE. DOES HE WANT TO END UP HOMELESS?】

I rolled my eyes. Zane wanted to play the generous newcomer, so why should I foot the bill? I might be rich, but I wasn’t an idiot.

I ignored the stream of nonsense and kept working. Zane eventually made his way to my desk. I was about to wave him off when he tilted his hand at an impossible angle, pouring the entire cup of hot coffee all over himself.

The move was so theatrical I almost stood up and applauded. I had a feeling I knew what was coming next.

Sure enough, his voice, thick with fake tears, echoed through the office. “Wyatt, I know you’re mad at me for taking your task this morning, but I truly understand my mistake now.”

He then made a show of starting to kneel. “If you’re still angry, I’ll get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness.”

The comments reappeared.

【SIDE CHARACTER, PULL HIM UP, YOU IDIOT!】

【THE MALE LEAD JUST SPILLED IT BY ACCIDENT. HE’S LETTING YOU TAKE THE BLAME SO IT’S NOT AWKWARD. IT’S NOT A BIG DEAL, JUST ACCEPT IT.】

【HE ALREADY MISSED THE CHANCE TO PAY FOR THE COFFEE. HE CAN’T BLOW THIS ONE TOO!】

My coworkers were watching the drama unfold. I simply stared back at Zane, my face impassive, as he lowered himself to the floor with the speed of a hibernating tortoise. I was curious to see how far he would take this.

Just as his knee was about to touch the ground, a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“That’s enough!”

The crowd parted. Chloe stormed over, yanked Zane to his feet, and glared at me. “Don’t you think you’ve taken this far enough? He apologized. Are you going to keep bullying him?”

Excuse me? We’d been dating for over a year, and I was only now realizing that Chloe might be an actual moron. I hadn’t said a single word. How was I the bully?

Chloe dispersed the onlookers, then whispered something to Zane. He blushed, nodded, and scurried back to his desk. Before I could speak, she grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the office and into the breakroom.

She threw my hand away from her. “He’s just an intern,” she said, her voice cold. “Do you really have to target him like this?”

I laughed. “Target him? Did I force him to deliver that file? Did I force him to get on his knees? Chloe, are you blind? Can’t you see he’s putting on a show?”

Her face flushed with anger. “You… You! How dare you talk to me like that! Fine, Wyatt! From now on, Zane will take over your duties as my assistant. You can go back to basic data entry and work on your attitude!”

I shrugged. “Works for me.”

She stomped her foot and stormed off. I calmly returned to my desk. I was about to get back to work when the comments popped up again.