"Depictions of S&M in this story are fictional, and do not represent the BDSM community or its culture in reality." - chapter 3.
So yeah, everyone could see it coming. I like the story a lot. Uke is hella cute, I guess for some his crying is annoying and too much but I kinda like it. And I am really interested in learning more about seme.
I read the novel and I can say that the top is not that bad, yes, it's kinda coercion at first and the top's sadistic, turning on by the bottom's crying. However, he actually cares about the bottom both at work and in bed. Before the offer, he knows the bottom from the rumours but he actually takes time to read all the bottom's work reports. He sees him as someone naive for speaking up against his boss but admiring his courage. The top sees the his potential and want to take him under his wings. Of course, he has to get some benefit for himself because the bottom is just his type.
Here. It's machine translated thou. https://www.wattpad.com/story/353004880-saturday%27s-master

I feel validated in understanding the authors intent right now. The bottom since the beginning has been able to feel safe when vulnerable with the top. I've also been pleasantly touched by the tops aftercare and genuine care for his body and letting him off easy. (we're not talking about the safeword incident, I don't defend that other than exposure therapy which don't do that that way lol) I'm not going to argue with anyone expecting perfect healthy bdsm from this, this is Helen's author and they're great at dark psychology