Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Ch 263: I am in your corner
Funa Ford was a name everyone in the office knew.

As the only daughter of Director Ford, she was someone everyone knew to keep an eye on and not to anger. That was why people felt the need to give their work their best as soon as she appeared, knowing that her presence could change the office dynamics.

The office was palpable with fear of potential consequences. The thought of their incompetence reaching Regulas Ford’s ears and the possibility of him dealing with them was a constant source of tension.

Even though the cafeteria lady looked nervous about seeing Luna, she smiled back at her calmly.

“I am afraid I forgot to restock the cafeteria with fresh stuff, and I just noticed how many things are out of stock. Please don’t take this in the wrong way! Things like this happen quite often around here.”

The cafeteria lady tried to save her face by saying these words. But she could tell that she had messed up.

Rika did not want to make too much commotion, so she grabbed Luna and dragged her out quietly.

“It is fine! I can grab something to eat from the nearby convenience store. There is no need to make a commotion on my behalf.”

Rika assured Luna, but the female did not look happy about Rika’s intervention.

“You can do that, but this is still not ethical. Mam, can you hand me a packet of crackers? I want to check it myself.”

The cafeteria lady started sweating bullets when he was asked to hand over the box of crackers to Luna.

Rika had already guessed that none of this was past the expiry date, and it was the cafeteria owner’s ploy not to sell anything to Rika.

“T-That will not be necessary, miss! I assure you that this is all past the expiry date! Please take my word for it.”

The cafeteria lady assured once more, but Luna needed more convincing.

Her eyes looked angry, and everyone in the cafe quickly ran away to avoid being associated with the incident.

Luna finally grabbed a nearby box she could reach and turned it over. Rika read the expiration date behind the box, and it was nowhere on the expiry date.

The cafeteria lady knew she had been caught and looked away.

“Don’t make a big deal out of it, Luna. I told you that this is not a big deal, right? You don’t need to interfere and make the situation worse.”

Rika assured Luna, but the older beta had her jaw locked tight.

“You might be able to look away from this bullying, Rika. But I am different! I will take it up with the management because it is the right thing to do.”

Luna looked determined to see this thought. Rika saw no point in stopping her, so she decided to follow Luna behind and follow her out.

The cafeteria lady cursed, but her expression also looked relieved.

Rika was sure that the cafeteria lady had an idea about this situation, and it involved connections.

‘Looks like this will be a useless case. I did try to stop Luna before she got disappointed. Whatever happens now is not my problem.’

Rika sighed before she allowed herself to be dragged around by Luna.

Before Rika knew it, she was standing in front of the human resources department, and Luna had wasted no time marching inside.

Everyone started to have Luna in their department section, but then they noticed Rika, and things clicked for them.

The warm and friendly atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and Rika sighed.

‘I’ve got to take care of this misunderstanding sooner rather than later. I mean, why do these people even think I am having an affair with my mother or Mark? Have their brains rotten because of all the work they had to do?’

Rika sighed and continued to follow after Luna.

“Excuse me, Miss Ford! May we ask you what the problem is?”

One of the workers finally decided to stand up and ask Luna this question. And Luna was quick to turn toward the female and narrate what happened.

The human resource officer looked uncomfortable with all she heard, but then she looked at Rika and her expression hardened.

Rika instantly knew that she would not get any justice here.

“I cannot help you in this regard, Miss Ford. As you know, the cafeteria is a contract relationship, not an in-house commodity. As long as they are under contract, the cafeteria lady can choose to sell her items to anyone she wants.

So, if she, for some reason, does not want to sell her stuff to Miss Rika, then we have no legal right to stop her.”

Luna let out a frustrated sigh at the officer’s work.

Rika already knew this would be the outcome, so she was not even surprised. But Luna seemed to be taking this rejection harder than Rika anticipated.

“What do you mean you cannot do anything? This office has an anti-discrimination policy! You need to follow it, and you will get several reasons why you can interfere. Is it that hard for you to follow?”

Luna asked in an annoyed voice. She wanted to clarify her case, but the more she yelled, the more she alienated the human resources worker.

It was time to recognise a lost cause.

“Miss Ford, it is okay! I don’t mind this minor incident. As I mentioned, I can buy my stuff outside if the cafeteria lady does not want to see things to me.”

Rika assured Luna again, and the female finally looked civil enough not to bite someone’s head off.

It took Luna some time to recover, but she quickly calmed down and grabbed Rika’s hand.

“Let’s go! I will accompany you to make sure nothing happens. There is something weird around the office, and I cannot figure out why everyone behaves like this. But once I do, I will take care of this mess for you.”

Luna promised in a sincere voice.