Episode: 6
Ella's coworkers mock her and spill her coffee before leaving for a party. Alone at her desk, Ella checks Lisa's new technical proposal and sees her own name printed on the pages. She logs the stolen work into a downsizing file. Lisa storms back to confront Ella for filing a complaint. In Mark Schmidt's office, Lisa caresses Mark's face and calls him darling. Mark defends Lisa's actions and fires Ella immediately.
Coworkers mock Ella as they get ready for a celebration. A woman in a pink crop top drops a heavy pile of folders directly onto Ella's desk. The impact knocks over Ella's mug and spills coffee across the work area.
The office clears out, leaving Ella alone at her desk. She opens Lisa's submitted technical proposal and notices her own name still typed on the document. Ella logs the clear plagiarism directly into a digital file labeled Report on Personnel Downsizing.
Lisa storms into the bullpen after learning about Ella's complaint. She corners Ella, demands to know why she reported her to leadership, and whispers a sharp warning. Lisa then orders Ella to march straight inside the general manager's private office.
Mark Schmidt demands proof of Ella's plagiarism claims. Ella details her draft history, but Mark brings Lisa inside. Lisa strokes Mark's face and calls him darling. Mark excuses the stolen proposal, rejects Ella's complaint, and fires her on the spot.
“She didn't even change the name before passing my proposal off as her own.”
“Ella Harrington, you reported me to the general manager?”
“Sorry, darling. I will.”
“Your values don't align with ours. You don't belong here.”
Mark Schmidt openly protects Lisa, brushing off the clear evidence of stolen work. He declares that Ella does not fit the company culture and fires her without hesitation. Will Ella walk away quietly from the branch, or will she find another way to use her downsizing evidence against Mark and Lisa?