So this just happened yesterday and now the office is full of awkward silence and side eyes.

Quick backstory: I (22F) started working for an NGO in November last year. There are 9 of us in our department — the top 3 being Jim (57M), our Executive Manager, and the two branch managers, John (55M) and Patrick (64M). Under Patrick, there’s Anna (28F), Luke (36M), and me. Under John, there’s David (27M) and Daisy (30F). Jim’s secretary is Gloria (48F), and we have a consultant, Elly (29F). The work is great, the pay is good and it's conveniently close to where I live so I like it.

But ever since day one, all the women in the office have treated me like shit. They ignore my greetings, leave me out of emails, won’t respond to questions, and make condescending comments like “do your research” or “why are you even here if you don’t know?” 'Weren't you taught this in uni?' When there’s a conference or workshop, they share the info amongst themselves through email and leave me out, disappearing from the office to attend while I just sit there like a lost puppy waiting for them to come back. I did get into an argument with Gloria because I was 'breathing near her cubicle 'and 'overstepped her boundaries' when I literally was standing in front of the printer (it's a meter away from her cubicle) to print some documents. I just let it go since it was my first week at the job.

The bosses travel a lot and aren’t around to notice. And yeah, I could report it, but their relationships are messy: John and Daisy are secretly dating behind his wife's back (the cleaner told me), Patrick is Daisy’s father-in-law, Gloria is Jim's niece, and Elly is his family friend. I know...so fucking twisted. HR exists, but they’ve all been here for 7+ years and have contributed a lot, so I just let it go since I'm just a newbie. So yes, it’s complicated. The men though, including the bosses, have been kind and helpful — they answer questions, showing me the ropes and how things functions in the office, and just treat me like a human being. I’m naturally bubbly and polite, but the toxic vibe has worn me down. For almost six months now, I just come in, do my work, and leave without a word.

Until yesterday.
We attended a symposium, and the Managing Director of one of the organization’s top donors who just happens to be my best friend’s dad, Peter (67M) was there. He saw me, came over, gave me a big hug and asked how I was. I had no idea he was such a big deal here. The other ladies were standing nearby, geeking and waiting for an intro. Peter asked, “Are those your colleagues?” I just looked them up and down and said, 'I don't believe so' and we left to try the deserts. The just stood there in shock and disbelief.

Now they’re blowing up my phone calling me a bitch and an AH for not acknowledging them and embarrassed them in front of the 'whole world'. I laughed it off and even laughed in their faces when they confronted me. They tried reporting it to our boss, but I didn’t break any company rules, so they're staying out of this. What are they gonna do, hit me? I take boxing classes. I wish one of them would throw hands they’ll be swallowing their teeth before I quit.

My family think I should apologize and let it go… but why tf should I? I don’t think I did anything
wrong...or did I? AITA?