At first, Sydney stayed quiet to avoid causing tension. But after a few months, her budget was strained, and she decided to speak up and suggest paying separately. Her coworkers dismissed the idea, saying it was easier to split evenly.Not willing to back down, Sydney started ordering extra food—two appetizers and two mains—and took leftovers home.

This surprised her colleagues, who suddenly faced much higher bills themselves. The situation made them realize they had been unfair to Sydney. Finally, the team agreed to split the bills individually. Sydney was relieved to only pay for what she ate, and the lunches became more comfortable for everyone. She felt respected and hopeful about her future at the company.