They built a ladder. They told me to climb it. I lit a match instead. Jobless, broke, and running out of time, I took the one offer I had-from a college senior I barely knew. The office looked cheerful enough, but the moment I walked in, the message was clear: "Parachute? Don't expect this place to save you." They didn't want me there. They didn't think I belonged. They thought they could humiliate me quietly, force me out silently. But I'm not here to blend in. I'm here to rise-and I don't care who I burn on the way up. So when the day came that my future at the company was decided by a room full of raised hands, I didn't flinch. Because by then, I'd already started building something stronger than approval: Power. Burn the Ladder is a high-voltage, revenge-fueled office drama for anyone who's ever been underestimated, sidelined, or told to "wait their turn"-and chose to rewrite the rules instead.
"Those in favor of her staying, raise your hand."
The conference room was silent.
Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. I sat still, cold metal under my palms, as eyes glanced around-but barely met mine.
One by one, hands lifted.
Some slow. Some hesitant.
Some... didn't move at all.
Outside, rain slammed against the windows, loud and relentless.
Inside, the silence said everything.
I was being voted on. Like a threat. Or a mistake.
Three months earlier.
I was in my apartment-more like a box with a toilet and microwave-sitting in front of a secondhand laptop.
Another email pinged.
Subject line: Thank you for applying.
I didn't even need to open it.
Still, I clicked.
"We appreciate your interest. Unfortunately, we don't have a role for you at this time."
Number fourteen.
Fourteen rejections in one week. I wasn't even surprised anymore. Just tired.
I was about to shut my laptop when a message popped up on my phone.
Keira:
"Still job-hunting? My office needs someone. It's chaos. You in?"
Keira.
Senior from college. Cool girl. Office heels. Expensive eyeliner. We weren't friends, but she always seemed... untouchable.
Desperation doesn't care about pride.
I texted back:
Me: "Yes. I'm in. Thank you."
By Monday, I was in an unfamiliar office, pretending I knew how to breathe.
White walls. Long desks. Noise that never stopped.
People were typing like machines. Some were laughing. Others were pacing. The air smelled like burnt coffee and overwork.
A girl waved at me.
"Hey, you're the new hire, right? Jamie."
I smiled. Nodded.
Another offered me half a donut.
Friendly. Too friendly.
By lunch, the truth hit.
Someone left a message in the team chat.
"Parachute hire. Don't expect her to last."
No name.
No emoji.
Just that.
Parachute?
Like I fell into this place. Like I didn't earn it. Like I was someone's pet project.
I stared at the screen.
My hand tightened on the mouse.
That was the moment everything flipped.
I wasn't here to be liked.
I was here to survive.
No backup. No favors.
Just me.
And fire.
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🪜 Next episode: She gets her first project-and someone already wants her to fail.
Chapter 1 Welcome to the Fire
24/05/2025