An Office Dividend

Location: JL Conglomerate – Thursday, 11:50 AM – PR & HR Bay

Voices rose above the hum of office printers and espresso machines.

"I said move," sneered Kelsey, a senior PR executive with razor-sharp heels and an even sharper tongue, as she deliberately brushed past Lina, the newest intern, who nearly dropped a stack of files.

Lina stumbled. Behind her, Chelsea smirked and muttered, "Careful, Lina. This place isn't a daycare."

It wasn't the first time.

Three weeks into her internship, Lina had endured pranks, mocking jokes, and even being locked in the filing room. No one stood up for her. No one dared—not with Kelsey dating the Head of HR, and Derek Walsh, the third bully, being the son of one of the CEOs of JL Conglomerate's subsidiary company, MESmeRise.

12:30 PM – Tensions Explode

Things took a turn when a junior staffer saw Kelsey openly mocking Lina's accent while filing a client report. Witnesses gasped. Security Officer Miller stepped in.

"Ma'am," he said firmly, "we've received a formal complaint. I'll have to ask you to step aside."

Within minutes, Ryan Cooper, Head of HR and Kelsey's boyfriend, stormed down the corridor.

"Miller, are you serious right now? You don't detain senior staff over a few comments."

"With respect, sir," Miller replied, "the intern has been crying, and multiple staff confirmed the harassment. It's now an official HR case."

"I'll handle it," Ryan snapped. "You're security, not jury and judge."

Derek stepped in, voice smug. "Look, why don't you all take a breath? Maybe try not blowing this up for a girl who can't handle workplace pressure."

"And who exactly are you to make that call?" someone asked.

"I'm Derek Walsh. My father's CEO at MESmeRise," he said with a slow smile. "You might wanna remember whose family owns 15% of the seats in this building."

12:45 PM – Annie Arrives

Calm, composed, and sharp-eyed, Annie walked in holding her department files, catching the end of the chaos. She didn't raise her voice. She didn't need to.

"Officer Miller," she said, "I'll take it from here. Please record the incident and forward it to the Legal Team."

She then looked at Ryan. "Head of HR or not, your relationship with Kelsey disqualifies you from involvement. This isn't optional—it's policy."

Ryan's jaw clenched. "Annie, this is not your department—"

"But it is my responsibility," she cut in, "to report unresolved harassment and protect internal integrity. You should've recused yourself. You didn't."

Derek crossed his arms. "This is a circus."

As silence filled the corridor after Annie's bold declaration—

"Mr. Walsh, you're suspended pending internal investigation."

A sharp breath escaped from Derek. "On what basis?" he snapped, scoffing. "You're just overstepping, and frankly, I'm not obliged to answer to a secretary."

Annie didn't blink. She took one deliberate step forward, her voice as calm as it was cutting.

"Mr. Walsh, your words, conduct, and pattern of behavior over the past three weeks have already been flagged twice—once by Security and once by the Learning & Development wing." She tapped her tablet, bringing up a series of documented reports. "Today, in front of multiple witnesses, you openly mocked and dismissed a formal harassment case, while using your father's position in the company as leverage to threaten staff."

She continued, her tone gaining firmness without raising volume:

"As per JL Conglomerate's employee conduct charter, article 5.3, any act of intimidation or misuse of corporate connections to suppress official procedure is a violation warranting immediate suspension pending inquiry. I'm merely acting in accordance with that protocol."

Ryan, the HR Head, tried to intervene. "We can have a meeting with Legal—there's no need for suspension until—"

"No, Mr. Cooper," Annie cut in without flinching. "This is the meeting. We're done here."

Her gaze swept back to Derek.

"If the investigation finds no misconduct, you'll be reinstated. But until then, you will refrain from entering JL premises, speaking to junior staff, or engaging with interns in any form. Your access card will be deactivated by 1 PM."

Derek opened his mouth, eyes blazing, but Annie raised a hand.

"You may contact the legal desk if you have further concerns. But threatening another intern—or any form of backlash—will be met with permanent termination."

Kelsey hissed under her breath, "Arrogant much?"

But Annie ignored her. Her eyes softened only when she turned to Lina.

"You did the right thing by speaking up. It takes more strength than people realize. You're safe now."

The entire corridor seemed to shift in tone—not loud, not explosive—but entirely dominated by Annie's cool, methodical leadership.

As Derek stormed off, muttering curses under his breath, and Kelsey followed with an icy glare, Annie stood still for a beat. Then she turned to Security Officer Miller.

"Forward the audio and incident report to my inbox and Legal within 15 minutes. If anything needs escalation, I'll handle it directly under CEO Li's instruction."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

Without waiting for anyone to praise or oppose her, Annie turned and walked away.

6:15 PM – James Returns

Fresh from a partner meeting, James Li stepped into his office as his assistant debriefed him on the day's highlights.

"There was an incident, sir—an intern harassed by senior staff. Ms. Annie stepped in. Suspended two employees, referred the case to Legal, and requested an independent committee."

James raised an eyebrow. "She managed all that herself?"

"Yes. Even got HR's head off the case due to conflict of interest. She didn't even ask for sign-off. Just follow protocol."

James leaned back in his chair, quietly impressed.

Ms. Annie... Secretary by title, but fierce when it counts.

He said nothing else. Just walked toward the window, deep in thought.

A woman who doesn't ask for power… just uses it to protect others.

Late Evening – James Li's Office – JL Conglomerate

The skyline shimmered in fading amber as the city shifted into night mode. Inside the sleek, soundproof CEO cabin on the top floor, only the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional click of a pen punctuated the silence.

James Li sat alone, blazer off, sleeves rolled up, his usually impassive face illuminated by the soft light of his tablet.

He pressed play on the recording forwarded to him by Legal—Security Officer Miller had discreetly included a live audio from the scene earlier that day.

"Mr. Walsh, you're suspended pending internal investigation…"

Her voice was precise. Clear. Not loud, but firm.

"I'm merely acting in accordance with JL policy, article 5.3…"

James leaned back slowly in his chair, lips slightly parted in thought, eyes narrowing with each passing second. As he listened, something unfamiliar stirred in him—a blend of quiet respect and curiosity.

She didn't panic. Didn't flinch. Even in front of Derek, and Ryan. Who gave her that right?

No… she didn't take permission. She didn't need to.

The audio ended with Annie's final directive to Security.

He stared at the screen a moment longer, then locked the tablet. He didn't smile, but something softened in his expression.

Ms. Annie... How did I not see you sooner?

Next Morning – JL Elevator – 8:58 AM

The glass-walled executive elevator opened with a soft chime at the 11th floor. Annie, carrying her planner and tablet, stepped in, adjusting the strap of her tote bag over her shoulder.

The lift began to glide upward—and stopped at the top floor. James entered.

Sharp black three-piece suit. Navy tie. Cufflinks that glinted subtly. He smelled faintly of bergamot and cedar. Power, confidence, and self-control in motion.

Annie instinctively moved to the side.

She nodded politely, "Good morning, Mr. Li."

He looked at her—too directly for her comfort—but said nothing at first.

The elevator hummed quietly as the numbers ticked upward.

Then, just as they passed the 17th floor, he spoke. Quietly. Almost... thoughtfully.

"That was a smart decision yesterday."

Annie blinked. "Sir?"

He turned his gaze ahead again. "What you did. With the interns. Clear-headed. Appropriate. No drama. Effective."

Her fingers tightened slightly around her tablet.

He knows. He heard everything...

Oh God, did I overstep? Is this praise? Or a warning?

He continued.

"That's what I expect from someone working under me."

A beat of silence.

Then, just before the elevator reached the top:

"…Thank you. Annie."

He said her name slowly. Deliberately. And not with formality—but something closer to quiet sincerity.

Annie's heart thudded in her chest.

She nodded, eyes forward, cheeks pink with suppressed emotion.

He said Annie.Not Ms. Annie. Just… Annie.

As the doors opened, James exited first, crisp and composed as ever.

But before stepping into his office, he paused, looked back once, and added:

"Make sure the Legal copies of that case reach my desk by noon. And… clear your evening. I want to review the Tokyo proposal with someone competent."

Then he was gone.

Annie stood alone in the elevator.

Silent.

And utterly, beautifully shaken.

CEO Office, 9:42 AM – JL Conglomerate

James Li sat at his desk, already two calls deep into an international discussion regarding the Tokyo proposal. His tone was clipped, analytical, and composed as always. But in the background of his sharp strategic focus, a small curiosity tugged at him.

He glanced once toward the edge of his desk—where a compact, stacked steel tiffin box rested quietly.

Neatly packed. Sealed. Impossibly familiar.

Annie had left it there just twenty minutes earlier after her soft knock and usual, "Good morning, Mr. Li. Today's lunch is delivered. You may find it labeled for ease."

He hadn't looked at it then, too deep in numbers and forecasts. But now, during a pause in calls, he pulled it closer.

Something... was different.

Attached to each small tiffin container was a miniature kitty paw-shaped label, laser-cut from thick pastel cardstock. A warm blush pink, with soft lettering in navy ink.

He pulled the top one closer. It read:

🐾 Container 1: "Spiced Paneer Rice" – Mildly tangy, slightly nutty, vegetarian.

The second:

🐾 Container 2: "Pepper Garlic Dumplings" – Made extra soft, as you seemed to chew fast last time. 😉

The third one:

🐾 Container 3: "Chilled Mango Yogurt Mousse" – To balance out all the spices. Don't skip dessert, boss.

James blinked.

A strange expression flickered in his normally impassive features. He tilted one label again and again between his fingers. The tiny paw at the edge even had faint embossing.

She made these? Handwritten? Wait… she noticed I chew fast?

He opened the lid of the rice container. Warm. Fragrant. Every grain was perfectly separated. He doesn't even touch his phone or tablet now. He just sat still, reading each label again with growing amusement.

Then, with the faintest huff of breath that almost counted as a laugh, he muttered:

"Ms. Annie... who even are you?"

He looked out the large window of his office, sunlight bouncing off glass towers. But in his mind, it wasn't the Tokyo project or the midday boardroom numbers he was visualizing.

It was her—that ridiculous kitty paw-shaped card, and the woman behind it who always surprised him, not by drama or noise—but by being unforgettable in quiet, consistent ways.