Chapter 2The Nine Dollar Tenant

That afternoon, my director, Mark, called me into his office. He looked distinctly uncomfortable.

“Audrey… about this situation with Jenna…”

I stood in front of his desk, silent.

“She’s a young woman, you know, trying to make it on her own in the city. It’s not easy. She was just in here, crying her eyes out. Said her lease is up and she has nowhere to go.”

Mark sighed. “Look, you’ve got that spare room, right? Just… think of it as doing a favor for the team. Let her stay for a little while. We’ll make sure she pays her share of rent and utilities, of course.”

I looked at him and, to my own surprise, a small smile touched my lips. “Mark, is this an official company directive, or your personal suggestion?”

He was taken aback, his face flushing slightly. “I’m just looking out for my employees. We’re a team. We’re supposed to support each other.”

“Then I decline,” I said, my smile vanishing. “My home is my private space. I don’t allow anyone to interfere with it, for any reason. Not you, and not her.”

Mark’s expression hardened. “Audrey, what is that attitude? I’m trying to have a discussion with you, not give you an order!”

“And the discussion is over. My answer is no.”

I turned and pulled open his office door.

Jenna was standing right outside, pressing her ear against the wood. The triumphant smirk on her face hadn't had time to disappear. She jumped when she saw me, her eyes darting away guiltily.

I walked past her and went back to my desk.

It wasn’t long before a new post appeared on the company’s anonymous internal message board.

The title was: “Spill the tea on the cold-blooded coworker who drives a luxury car and lives in a penthouse.”

The post was a masterpiece of slander, painting me as a vicious, wealthy bully who got her kicks from tormenting new hires. It didn’t use my name, but every detail pointed directly at me.

Within minutes, there were over a hundred replies.

“I know who this is about. It’s gotta be Audrey. She always acts so high and mighty.”

“Wow, I never would have guessed she was like that. That’s awful.”

“Poor Jenna. I can’t believe she’s being treated this way.”

I scrolled through the venomous comments, my face a blank mask. My phone vibrated. A text from Ethan.

“Ms. Ross, it’s all been taken care of.”

I texted back a simple “Okay.”

I closed the browser tab and got back to work.

Just before five, Jenna appeared at my desk, dragging a massive suitcase behind her. A small group of curious colleagues trailed in her wake.

“Audrey, I’m moving in tonight. And you’re not going to stop me.” She looked like she was ready for a fight to the death.

I typed the last word of my document, saved the file, and shut down my computer. Then I stood up and grabbed my purse.

“I’ll say it one more time. You are not welcome in my home.”

“You—!” Jenna sputtered, then suddenly clutched her stomach, her face paling as she doubled over. “Oh god, my stomach hurts so bad.”

She collapsed dramatically to the floor, letting out a pained groan.

“Jenna, what’s wrong?”

“Someone call 911!”

Our coworkers descended into chaos.

Lying on the floor, through a gap in the legs of the people surrounding her, Jenna shot me a look of pure provocation.

I just watched her performance, unmoved.

Finally, someone from the on-site first aid office arrived and did a quick check.

“She’s fine,” the medic announced. “Just overworked herself and pulled a muscle. A little out of breath from the excitement.”

The color on Jenna’s face shifted through five different shades of humiliation.

I walked past her, the sharp click-clack of my heels echoing in the now-silent office.

“Nice performance,” I said as I passed. “You should try something more challenging next time.”