I put this old fridge outside with a sign saying free.
Three days and nobody touched it So I changed the sign to $50, It was stolen that night
At 50, I Faced Mockery from a Young Colleague and Ended Up Teaching Her a Lesson โ Story of the Day
At 50, I thought my career was behind me. But when I joined a fast-paced startup, I quickly became the target of a young colleague’s jealousy. What unfolded was more than a battle for respect. It led to a shocking twist that changed everything.
Losing my husband left me feeling like a ship adrift. The days blurred together, and it seemed impossible to find purpose again.
The psychology degree Iโd tucked away years ago suddenly seemed like my last lifeline. So, I dusted it off and decided it was time to use it in my 50s.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
When I landed an internship at an IT startup, I could hardly believe it. Technology wasnโt exactly my field.
But I thought, โWhy not? Maybe this is the fresh start I need.โ
My new boss, Liam, was 28. Sharp, ambitious, and a bit too focused on one thing. Success. Profits, growth, numbers.
People? Not so much.
During our first meeting, Liam barely looked at me. I could feel the skepticism rolling off him.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โSo, I was thinking,โ I began cautiously. โIt might help if we focus on building stronger connections within the tea…โ
Liam interrupted me, โWeโre growing fast. I need results. What exactly are you suggesting?โ
โWell, itโs about creating a balance.โ
โYouโre an intern, right? Just listen and repeat,โ he said, already turning back to his laptop.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
That was it. The conversation’s over. I left the office feeling deflated.
Maybe I am too old for this.
I needed a fresh perspective, so I called Jake my best friend.
***
Jake had always been the one to pull me through, even in my darkest moments. After my husband passed away, there were days when I couldnโt even get out of bed. But Jake was there, encouraging me when I couldnโt see past the grief.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
We agreed to meet at our usual spot, a quiet cafรฉ around the corner from my place. It was one of those cozy spots where time seemed to slow down.
Jake was already there when I arrived.
โHey, Mary. You look like youโve got a lot on your mind,โ Jake said, waving me over.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I sat down. โI donโt know, Jake. This new job… Itโs harder than I thought. Liamโs young, and heโs all about numbers and profits.โ
โLiam, huh? The 28-year-old boss you told me about?โ
I sighed. โYeah. Heโs not focused on people. I suggested some ideas, but he brushed them off.โ
โSounds like heโs missing the bigger picture,โ Jake replied. โYouโve been through a lot. You know how to bring people together, how to help them connect. Why not use that?โ
I looked at him, confused.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โWhat do you mean?โ
โRemember that emotional support program you wrote as your thesis? Why not offer that as the team-building event? Itโs what you know best, and it works.โ
I thought for a moment. He was right. The program had given me back my strength after losing my husband.
โMaybe youโre onto something,โ I said, a bit more hopeful. โIโll pitch the idea to Liam.โ
Jake grinned. โNow youโre talking. And remember, if anyone can get through to a guy like him, itโs you.โ
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
With renewed confidence, I approached Liam the next day. After explaining the team-building event, I watched his face, hoping for some spark of interest.
โAlright, Mary. Letโs give it a shot,โ Liam said, though his voice lacked the enthusiasm Iโd hoped for.
“Thanks, Liam. Iโll make sure the team will benefit from it.”
Suddenly, my eyes caught Lora, whoโd been standing just outside the office, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation. She stepped into my path before I could walk by.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Team-building, huh? Sounds like a big project,” she said, her eyes glinting with something I couldnโt quite place.
“It should be a good way to get everyone more connected,” I said, trying to stay upbeat despite the uncomfortable tension I felt with her.
“Liam agreed to this? Surprising, heโs not really into this soft stuff.”
I shrugged lightly. “Heโs willing to try, so thatโs something.”
She paused for a moment, then smiled again, a little too brightly.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, since youโll be busy organizing all the activities, why donโt I handle the logistics? Iโm good at that kind of thing.”
There was something about the way she said it that made me hesitate. Still, I didnโt want to come across as untrusting, especially since I was new.
“That will be helpful,” I said. “Thanks, Lora.”
“No problem! Iโll take care of everything.”
I had no idea at the time that she had her own agenda. I was just grateful for the help.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
The day of the team-building event was supposed to be my chance to prove myself. But when I arrived at the venue, there was nothing. No decorations, no people, and no sign that an event was planned.
Something was wrong. As I stood there, staring at the empty space, my phone rang. It was Liam.
โMary, where are you? Everyoneโs here, waiting. You said youโd be running this thing, and now youโre not even here!โ
Panic surged through me. โWhat!? Liam, Iโm here at the location I arranged. No oneโs here.โ
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โWhat location?โ His voice hardened. โThe whole teamโs at the new place Lora said you picked.โ
Lora. Of course.
It was a setup, and I had walked right into it. That was her way of making me look incompetent in front of Liam.
โIโm on my way,โ I managed to say before hanging up.
I dialed Jake. โJake, I need your help. Fast.โ
โWhat happened?โ
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โLora changed the location for the team-building without telling me. I can make it work. But it has to be my territory, not Lora’s one. I need you to bring everybody to my house.โ
โDonโt worry. Iโll be there soon,โ he said without hesitation.
I rushed home. I had just enough time to pull things together.
I set up tables on the terrace, lit lanterns, and made the garden feel as welcoming as possible. My nerves were on edge, but I wasnโt about to let that situation get the best of me. Not yet.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
Jake arrived with the entire team packed into his van. The employees spilled out, looking confused but intrigued by the cozy setting.
The event was going better than I could have imagined. People paired up, laughing and chatting, their usual office facades dropping away. The atmosphere in my garden seemed to work its magic.
Liam, who had always been so serious and closed off, was finally loosening up. He moved from group to group, engaging in conversations, and even smiled.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
At one point, I noticed Lora and Liam paired up. I edged a little closer, curious about their conversation.
โThis place is really nice,โ Lora said, glancing around the garden.
โYeah, I have to admit, it’s… different from the usual corporate events.โ
Lora laughed lightly. โDifferent is good, right? Sometimes, I think we all get stuck in our little bubbles at the office.โ
Liam leaned back in his chair. โYouโre right. I didnโt realize how much the team needed this. Weโre always pushing for results, overlooking something important.โ
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I saw them both letting their guards down. For a moment, I felt a pang of satisfaction.
Maybe this event will bring them closer together in more ways than one.
I caught Lora watching me from across the garden. Even with the evening going smoothly, I had a feeling this wasnโt the end of her games.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
As the evening wound down and people began to leave, I noticed Lora with Liam near my wardrobe. Lora glanced around casually and then reached for a stack of papers. She picked them up, flipping through the pages briefly.
“Hey, Mary,” she called out. “Whatโs this? Something important?”
Liamโs face turned red with anger when he noticed the papers in Loraโs hands. He grabbed the documents.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โWhat the hell are these doing here?โ he snapped, glaring at me. โI prepared these for a meeting with investors. I left them on my desk, Mary.โ
I opened my mouth to explain, but he didnโt give me a chance.
โDonโt pretend to be the innocent intern. Itโs obvious now. Youโre here working for the competition, arenโt you? I trusted you!โ
โNo, Liam, I…โ I tried, but he cut me off with a dismissive wave.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โWeโll talk later. Stay out of my way for now.โ
With that, he turned and left the room. I turned to Lora.
She smirked. โI didnโt think those documents were THAT important. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.โ
โA lesson? Youโve ruined everything!โ
Still, I believed the real Lora, the one Iโd seen laughing with Liam earlier, was still in there somewhere. But at that moment, she chose to be her worst self.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I sank into a chair, feeling utterly defeated. Jake came over, resting a hand on my shoulder.
โEverything happens for a reason, Mary. Donโt give up just yet.โ
When I received a message from Liam asking me to meet him the next day at the office, I didnโt know what to expect, but I decided to go there with my head held high.
***
The next afternoon, I arrived at the office with a heavy heart, and when I walked in, I saw both Liam and Lora there.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
โMary, I… I need to apologize,โ Lora began, her voice shaking slightly. โI was the one who moved the location for the team-building event. I wanted to make you look bad, and… I also planted those documents on your desk.โ
โWhy?โ I asked, barely able to believe what I was hearing.
Lora sighed, dropping her gaze to the floor.
โI was jealous. I thought you were drawing Liamโs attention away from me, and I let that cloud my judgment. But after the team-building event and after hearing what you said… I realized how wrong I was.โ
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Liam, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.
โSheโs telling the truth, Mary. And honestly, Iโm thankful for what you did.โ He turned to me, his tone softer. โThat evening in your garden, I didnโt just feel like the boss anymore. I felt like a regular person again. I started noticing things I hadnโt in years. It was a wake-up call.โ
He glanced at Lora and winked, making her blush and giggle nervously. I couldnโt help but smile. It seemed that the casual, relaxed atmosphere of that evening had done more than I could have hoped for.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Liam then turned back to me. โMary, your methods really worked. So, from today, Iโd like to make it official. Youโll be the companyโs emotional recovery coach.โ
I was stunned for a moment, then broke into a wide smile. โReally? I… thank you, Liam.โ
Liam added, โAnd weโve got more to celebrate. The morning meeting with the investors went great. So, Iโm inviting the whole team to stay after work tonight for pizza. From now on, letโs make it a tradition!โ
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty was gone. I had found my path and could focus on helping others do the same.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.