"Who are you? You've taken the wrong seat, haven't you?" Lin Yue sneered, her heavily made-up face contorted with disdain. Her arms were crossed in a dismissive stance, and her eyes gleamed with open contempt.

Bai Yan stood frozen, her lips pressed together in a thin line. On her very first day at Xingyao Game Company, her desk had already been occupied.

Around her, the whispers started. Some colleagues exchanged glances, others tried to stifle their comments, but none of them stepped forward to intervene. It was as if they were waiting to see how she would react.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Yan fought to steady her emotions. Today was supposed to be the start of her dream career, a new chapter at the company she had worked so hard to join. She couldn't let a petty "seat-stealing" incident throw her off track.

"Excuse me, colleague," she said, her voice even and calm as she gestured to the nameplate on the desk, "My badge shows this is my seat."

Lin Yue scoffed, her expression twisting further into mockery, but before she could respond, Bai Yan turned and walked away, heading straight for the CEO's office. The click of her heels echoed down the hallway, drawing the eyes of her coworkers as she passed by. She knocked lightly on the door.

"Liang Zong," Bai Yan began, stepping inside as Liang Yu looked up from his desk, expecting another trivial complaint. "My seat has been... taken."

Liang Yu barely glanced up, already bracing himself for another new employee coming in with some petty issue. He was about to brush her off, but her next words caught him completely off guard.

"Lin Yue has taken my seat. If you don't handle it, I'll take care of it myself," Bai Yan said, her voice steady and unyielding, her eyes locked on his with quiet determination.

Liang Yu's brow arched in genuine surprise. This woman wasn't like the others. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, to stand up for herself. The glimmer of intrigue sparked within him, though he quickly masked it with his usual cold detachment.

Outside his office, curious colleagues stood in hushed clusters, eager to see how the situation would unfold. It was a classic power struggle, the kind of office drama that fueled idle gossip. They all waited for Bai Yan to back down, but she didn't seem like the type to cave easily.

Half an hour later, an impromptu game test was announced. Everyone assumed it was just another opportunity for Liang Yu to put the newcomer in her place, to remind her that she still had much to prove.

To everyone's surprise, Liang Yu specifically called on Bai Yan to participate.

The office fell silent as Bai Yan stepped forward. The eyes of her colleagues were sharp with expectation, eager to see how the newcomer would perform. They were ready to watch her stumble, ready to see her fail.

But what happened next stunned them all.

Bai Yan played with a skill and finesse that left the room in awe. Every move was executed with precision, every strategy calculated. Her understanding of the game mechanics was leagues beyond that of a typical rookie. Her hands moved deftly across the keyboard, her character performing with fluidity and grace.

Liang Yu, usually the one to maintain a detached composure, found himself watching her with an intensity he hadn't expected. He couldn't take his eyes off the screen. Her movements were seamless, her decisions sharp. It was clear now that this wasn't just beginner's luck—Bai Yan was a seasoned player.

After the test ended, the room was filled with murmurs of astonishment.

"Did you see that? She's incredible."

"Unbelievable… I thought she was just some newbie."

"How does she know all those advanced tactics?"

For the first time since Bai Yan had entered the company, the whispers surrounding her weren't laced with mockery. They were full of admiration and respect.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Bai Yan's lips. She had finally earned her moment to shine.

As she began to walk away, Liang Yu's voice stopped her in her tracks. His usual cold demeanor had softened just slightly. "Didn't expect you to have some skills," he said, his tone less harsh than before. A faint trace of approval lingered in his words. "But don't get too cocky. This doesn't mean you've secured your place here."

Bai Yan met his gaze, a flicker of challenge in her eyes. "Don't worry, Mr. Liang," she replied smoothly. "I'm just getting started."

Lin Yue, who had been watching from the sidelines, felt a flare of jealousy rise within her. Bai Yan's performance had stolen the spotlight, and she couldn't stand it. She sauntered over to Liang Yu, a saccharine smile on her lips.

"Liang Zong," she whispered, her voice just loud enough for those around them to hear, "I think... something's off with her."

Her tone was sweet, but her words dripped with venom. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, the weight of her words thickening the air. The murmurs around them grew quieter, as if everyone knew what was coming next.

"Liang Zong, I suspect she cheated," Lin Yue continued, her eyes narrowing as she shot Bai Yan a look full of venom. "A newbie couldn't possibly be that good."

Bai Yan's stomach clenched. The accusation hit her like a slap. She hadn't expected this—her performance had been flawless, but now she was being dragged into an unfounded dispute.

Liang Yu's expression darkened. His earlier intrigue was quickly replaced by suspicion. He hadn't seen Bai Yan's gameplay firsthand, but the claim of cheating had stirred something in him. He narrowed his eyes, his face unreadable.

"Show us again," he said sharply, his voice carrying the authority of someone used to being obeyed. "If you're as good as you say, prove it."

Bai Yan's smile faltered for a moment. The situation had taken an unexpected turn. What had started as a simple challenge had now become a test of her integrity.

Around her, the room fell into a tense silence. The colleagues who had once admired her performance now watched with bated breath, their eyes flicking between her and the computer. Whispers filled the air, some expressing doubt, others wondering if she could pull it off again.

Bai Yan clenched her fists, feeling the simmering anger rise within her. She would prove herself. She wouldn't let their small-mindedness dictate her worth.

"Alright," she said, her voice calm but steely. "I'll show you."

She walked over to the computer, her movements slow and deliberate. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenge ahead. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she prepared to demonstrate her skills once more.

But just as she was about to press the start button, the screen suddenly went black.

The room fell into an eerie silence. Every eye was on her, confusion and curiosity etched across their faces. A few colleagues exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what was happening.

Bai Yan frowned slightly. She brushed her fingers lightly over the mouse, but it didn't respond.

She looked up, scanning the faces of her colleagues. They all appeared equally puzzled, some even glancing at one another with uncertainty. Then, in a split second, her eyes caught a fleeting flash of smugness in Lin Yue's gaze. It was barely noticeable, but enough for Bai Yan to sense that something wasn't right.

The tension in the room thickened, and Bai Yan felt a heavy air of scheming surrounding her.

Remaining composed, she bent down casually, her hand reaching for the back of the computer. Quietly, she unplugged the power cable."