I reached up and ripped every sheet off the board. Mercedes walked over right on cue, pressing a hand to her mouth in exaggerated shock.
"Oh my God, who would do something like that? But honestly, Matilda, if things have gotten this bad, you can't really blame everyone else, can you?"
I stared at her.
"Was this you?"
Mercedes blinked, the picture of innocence.
"Matilda, don't go throwing around accusations. There are hundreds of people in the company chat. Could've been anyone. But hey, I did stay late last night putting together your attendance records and colleague feedback. I'm about to hand them to Manager Whitney."
I looked at that face, barely concealing its smugness, and felt nothing but revulsion.
I didn't waste another word on her. I turned and headed straight for the manager's office. But before I could even open my mouth, Mercedes was already there, eyes rimming red.
"Manager Whitney, I'm so sorry to bother you with this. I never thought it would blow up like this. If I'd known Matilda was going to come make trouble for you, I would've just paid for the coffee myself."
She glanced at me, timid and wounded, as if she were the one who'd been wronged.