Janet stepped out of the elevator into a narrow corridor that led directly to Angela's office. The entire floor served dual purposes: Angela's private workspace and a sprawling conference room where, at the end of each month, the CEO would summon staff to berate their efforts. These meetings were Angela's playground, an arena where she excelled in cutting down everyone's accomplishments, sowing seeds of self-doubt, and delivering stinging remarks that made her employees feel as though their hard work amounted to nothing. After each tirade, she'd dismiss them with a casual, "Go collect your pay," as though their salaries were charitable handouts.
Janet sighed, shaking her head as she strode down the corridor. She couldn't fathom how she had tolerated this toxic routine for so long.
Arriving at Angela's door, her eyes lingered on the infamous notice taped to the polished wood: "Knock Once, Then Open." A wry smile crept onto Janet's face as the memory of the notice's origin came rushing back. A newly promoted staff member had once come to see Angela, dutifully knocking but receiving no reply. Unbeknownst to him, Angela had been calling out, "Come in!" from inside the soundproofed room. The poor man, oblivious, kept knocking. Angela, whose patience was thinner than a thread, stormed to the door in a fit of rage, reprimanding him loudly enough to echo down the hall. To everyone's shock, the man was promptly demoted later that day, losing the promotion he hadn't even had time to celebrate.
Janet chuckled quietly at the memory, knocked once, and opened the door.
Angela sat behind her desk, typing on her laptop, her posture radiating an air of feigned indifference. It was a deliberate power move, Janet knew a tactic designed to unsettle whoever walked into her office. But Janet, unimpressed, lingered briefly in the doorway before stepping inside. She tapped the edge of Angela's desk with her finger, breaking the CEO's act.
"You called for me. I'm here," Janet said simply.
Angela finally looked up, her icy blue eyes narrowing as they focused on Janet. At 25, Angela was the epitome of perfection on the surface: her blonde hair was swept into a sleek ponytail, her naturally flawless face could rival any Miss Universe, and her tailored white business suit accentuated her curvy figure. Her beauty was renowned throughout the city, attracting suitors from all walks of life, though none had succeeded in winning her favor. Yet beneath this exterior lay a personality as cold and ruthless as her reputation. Angela was living proof that even the most perfect appearances could conceal deep flaws.
"Ah, I see you've finally decided to grace me with your presence," Angela said, her voice laced with condescension. She gestured to the chair opposite her. "Sit."
Janet pulled out the chair without hesitation, sitting down casually and crossing her legs. She maintained steady eye contact, her demeanor calm and unshaken. Angela raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such a bold attitude. Nevertheless, she pressed on, her tone sharp.
"Care to explain why I walked into the building today to find one of my security guards bleeding on the reception floor?"
Janet's expression didn't waver. She replied matter-of-factly, "He tried to harass me, so I handled it. Simple as that."
Angela's eyes flashed. "You 'handled' it? By turning into a brute and attacking him? Is that your idea of professionalism?"
Janet smirked. "No, professionalism is creating a workplace where I don't have to defend myself from harassment in the first place. Clearly, that's not the vibe around here."
Angela's back straightened, her tone growing colder. "This isn't about him. It's about 'you'. What if a potential client had walked in and seen that scene? Do you realize the damage this could have done to our reputation?"
Janet raised an eyebrow. "Him being a security guard doesn't give him a free pass to act like trash. Maybe you should use this as an opportunity to give him some much-needed training on how to behave 'professionally.'"
Angela's frustration was evident as she leaned back in her chair, taking a deep breath. Regaining her composure, she said icily, "You're unbelievable. Not only did you embarrass this agency, but you've also put me in a difficult position. I have no choice but to suspend you while we investigate."
Janet shrugged as though she had expected this. "Fine. Do what you have to do. But while you're at it, maybe you should ask around and see how others feel about your so-called security guard."
Angela's glare hardened, her authority clearly feeling challenged. "Do you even care about the consequences of your actions? Because if this is how you handle things, I'm not sure there's a place for you here."
Janet stood, leaning forward with both hands on the desk. Her voice was firm. "If standing up for myself gets me suspended, so be it. But let's be clear your cousin is the one who should be worried about his place here, not me."
Angela's eyes burned with anger, but she managed to keep her composure. "Take your suspension and leave."
Janet smirked. "Gladly. But you might want to tell your cousin to stay out of my way when I'm back. Next time, I won't hold back."
Without waiting for a response, Janet turned and walked out of the office, her confidence unshaken. Angela sat frozen for a moment, stunned by Janet's audacity.
"Wait a minute," Angela muttered to herself, still fuming. "Is that the same Janet I know? When did she change so much?"
Angela's frustration simmered as she stared at the door. For the first time, she wasn't sure whether her anger stemmed from Janet's actions or her newfound defiance.
---
Janet, walking toward the elevator, couldn't shake the strange feeling about her behavior. Yes, she had experienced something life-changing, but did it really warrant such a drastic shift? Even she was beginning to notice how differently she was acting today. It was unnerving, leaving her wondering where this sudden surge of confidence had come from. Unable to hold back her frustration, she addressed the suspected culprit.
"Hey, are you the reason for this change in my personality? Are you trying to turn me into someone else? I know I'm not usually like this! I need an explanation!" Janet demanded, directing her question to the system.
Ding!
[The system did not change your personality. It only removed the trauma you've been battling with and repaired your low self-esteem. What you are now is who you were meant to be, unburdened by psychological scars.]
"So, what? Am I supposed to thank you? Because of you, I've been acting out of character since I woke up," Janet replied, her tone laced with irritation.
Ding!
[As the Chosen of Goddess Athena, a strong mental foundation is essential.]
Janet sighed, leaning against the elevator wall. "I see. Well, whatever. Let's get out of here. I've had enough for today," she muttered, pressing the button for the elevator.