Part 1The Prank That Backfired

During my solo performance at the company's annual gala, a massive fart sound blasted from the speakers.

Immediately, a foul stench filled the hall.

My colleagues frowned, pinched their noses, and looked at me with disgust.

The new intern, Jenny, screamed dramatically, "Oh my god, Sarah! Are you performing a talent show or releasing poison gas?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

I glared at her furiously. "Jenny, is this another one of your pranks?"

She put on an innocent face. "Why are you blaming me for your own gas?"

"I know I like to joke around, but you can't just use me as a scapegoat, can you?"

"Okay, okay, fine, let's say it's my fault. My bad for not reminding you to eat fewer sweet potatoes before going on stage."

"Everyone, just pretend I let that one rip, okay?"

I was shaking with rage.

Ever since Jenny joined the company, she's been setting me up to embarrass myself.

Because I had no proof, I had to swallow my anger every time.

But this time, Jenny, you've messed with the wrong person.

* * *

My colleagues immediately started pointing fingers at me.

"Sarah, don't bully the new girl. It was just a fart, no one said anything."

"You're just a small team leader, not a big shot. Trying to force your subordinate to take the blame?"

"It's not like Jenny made you fart. How can you blame her?"

"Honestly, passing gas is natural. We all laughed it off, but you dragging it out just makes it awkward."

Their words piled up, cementing the narrative that I publicly humiliated myself and tried to use my position to force the new girl to cover for me.

The hotel staff hosting the gala were covering their mouths, snickering.

The smell lingered, and a colleague smirked maliciously. "Sarah, are you still letting out silent ones?"

"If you need to go, just go. This hall is small, if you keep releasing, we're all gonna get poisoned!"

"I'm about to throw up my lunch."

"That smell is intense. Did you sh*t your pants?"

My face burned red with shame and anger. "Are you guys deaf? That sound clearly came from the speakers!"

"I didn't fart!"

Colleagues covered their noses and backed away from me. "It feels like your breath smells like it too."

"Who told you to eat sweet potatoes? No self-control for the sake of your appetite?"

I screamed in frustration, "I didn't eat sweet potatoes! I was so busy with the gala today I didn't even eat!"

"Come on, Jenny saw you. Just admit it."

"Jenny, did you say she ate sweet potatoes?"

Jenny put on a troubled expression. "Sarah, I..."

"Jenny, don't be scared. She's just a team leader, she can't fire you."

"If she tries to give you a hard time, we'll all testify for you to the boss!"

Jenny looked at me with fake apology. "Sarah, I saw you eat that huge roasted sweet potato. Why won't you admit it?"

"Actually, it's normal to have gas after eating too many sweet potatoes! At least you know now, just don't eat them in public next time."

She feigned concern, but I could see the triumphant smirk hiding in the corners of her eyes.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm down.

"Since that's the case, let's check the security footage and see where that 'fart' really came from."

"Waiter, where is the surveillance room? There should be cameras near the audio equipment, right?"

"I suspect my audio file was swapped."

Jenny's expression tightened. She quickly adjusted her face. "Seriously, Sarah? Why are you taking this so seriously?"

"You're wasting everyone's time. If we check the footage and find no one swapped your audio, are you going to find another excuse?"

"It's already been ten minutes."

Hearing about wasted time, my colleagues turned on me again.

"Sarah, are you crazy? We just want to finish the gala and go home!"

"Just because you don't have a husband or kids doesn't mean you can hold us up!"

"Making a huge scene over a fart!"

"Checking surveillance for a fart? If this gets out, our whole company will be a laughingstock!"

Jenny put on a martyr's face.

"Alright, Sarah. If you insist it was me, then it was me. Can we stop arguing? There are still other performances."

"Just consider it my fault, okay?"