Golden Cage Mommy Mutiny (Elyse) novel Chapter 2

The next day, the atmosphere in the office flipped. In the hallway, the break room, everywhere, people

whispered.

When they saw me, their eyes darted away, but their mouths twitched like they were trying not to smile.

Elyse’s desk turned into a little stage. A crowd gathered around her, saying “you’re so bold,” while their faces

screamed nothing but encouragement and anticipation.

“Elyse, we’ve got your back!”

“Exactly. Why should foreigners get all the money while we get nothing?”

“Go for it. They can’t fire all of us. Strength in numbers.”

I heard every word as I walked past. So that was what I was to them. A rich sucker they could squeeze at

will.

That afternoon, Nancy came to my office alone, holding a cup of coffee. Her eyes were rimmed with red.

“Layla, don’t be mad. Elyse just got a little… carried away. The internet hyped her up.” She set the coffee on my desk, voice full of “concern.”

“Honestly… no one actually thinks the daycare is bad. It’s just that if it turned into cash, it’d be more…

flexible.”

I looked at her, this employee I’d gone out of my way to help. “So you support shutting down the daycare

too?”

Her gaze flickered away. Then she looked back up and forced a smile. “Of course I’m on your side, Layla! I’ll

never forget what you did for me.”

“I’m just worried about you. This is getting blown up online. It’s bad for the company. What if… you give a little? Send out some stipends first to pacify them? Better to channel than to block, right?”

She wasn’t here to help me. She was here to lobby for them, to probe my bottom line, to use my kindness as leverage and talk me into surrendering to greed.

Right then, my assistant shoved the door open, face drained. “Ms. West, we have a trouble! Elyse’s post got reposted by multiple mega–influencers. It’s trending. Top ten!”

I refreshed my phone. Things went as she said.

The trending topic read: #FemaleBossRunsCrooked DaycareToExploitMoms#

Chapter 2

1.79%

Under it, new anonymous comments appeared. And their words made my stomach drop, implying they were coming from inside our office building.

[I’m an internal employee. I can confirm the food there is disgusting. My kid had diarrhea last time.]

[The ‘overseas education system‘ is just hype. The staff are the boss’s relatives, they’re just faking it and

fooling employees.]

[Because of that daycare, my annual leave got ruined. I don’t dare take personal leave or even get sick. We

have no time off.]

I stared at those comments, my mind buzzing.

I’d personally reviewed the meal plans with the nutritionist, over and over. The ingredients were all organic

and specially sourced.

The teaching team was hired through three top recruiting firms. I’d screened over a hundred resumes before we finalized anyone.

As for “no time off,” it was nonsense. Pure invention.

I could practically picture the people typing those lies. Maybe it was the same mom who’d grabbed my hand last week, thanking me for solving her childcare difficulties.

They took my top–tier benefits without blinking. Then, they stabbed me in the back for the fantasy of “cash stipends” Elyse dangled before them, throwing mud in my face.

Nancy was still standing there, wearing concern like a costume. “Layla, look,it’s getting worse. Just listen to

me this once.”

picked up the coffee, walked to the trash can, and poured it out.

“Get out,” I said, calm as glass.

Nancy’s face stiffened. Then she switched to a wounded expression. “Layla, I… I’m doing this for your own

good…”

“I said get out.” I repeated myself without sparing her another glance.

She finally trudged off. The office returned to quiet, but my phone began ringing frantically.

Partners. Investors. Media.

Hate messages flooded every account I had.

[Disgusting fat cat. Hope your company shuts down tomorrow!]

Chapter 2

1.79%

[Thought you were some independent woman role model, turns out you climbed up by exploiting other

women!]

[Someone like you never deserves to be a mother!]