Joy could never quite figure out how to handle Austin, her boss. It was like walking on eggshells - or more accurately, like trying to grill the perfect hamburger for a man who only ever criticizes your cooking. One occasion, right in front of everyone, he demanded, "Grill me a couple of beef patties, will ya?"

Joy, in a subtle act of rebellion, deliberately overcooked his burger until it was more char than beef. Austin took one bite, discarded the rest, and without missing a beat, swiped the perfectly grilled patty off her plate.

Then there were the times he'd summon her to his office for a 'chat' that felt more like being put in the stocks in the town square.

Joy seethed with anger but kept her mouth shut.

Her only solace was in privately conducting little 'hexing ceremonies' behind his back.

Once, the team leader stumbled upon her mid-curse and gently suggested, "Isn't cursing the boss a bit... harsh?"

Joy defended herself, "It's not like it's going to come true. If there were any justice in this world, I'd be rich by now and wouldn't have to put up with his nonsense."

The team leader, perplexed, asked, "Then why bother?"

"You don't get it," Joy retorted, "It's my way to blow off steam after being run ragged. Can't I have that?"

team leader saw her point but hastily declined when Joy jokingly invited

up with her on a clear,

in the break room. Inhaling the aroma, she clasped her hands and whispered a sarcastic prayer, "Oh, may I dine on four square meals a day, with a balanced diet of meat and veggies. And let Austin find himself

then, Austin and a client happened to pass by, catching

"Your employee sure

forced a smile, quickly steering the

like a ghost returning to her desk, realized she'd have to

returned,

desk. Joy typed away, pretending not to

until he

his

drifting over her frantic

you churn out those nonsensical

of gibberish, Joy wished she

without another

the year approaching, she feared the worst. Would he use some petty excuse to fire her? Or worse,

stand her ground and when to play it smart. She decided to make

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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