Chapter 1

For twenty-eight years, my biggest flaw was being a pushover. I was the one who took the blame when coworkers messed up, lent money to friends who never paid me back, and solved every family crisis. Over the years, I became everyone's designated safety net.

Then one night, I stayed up until dawn finishing a proposal, only for a coworker to steal the credit while I got chewed out by the boss. That was the moment my twenty-eight years of suppressed frustration finally exploded. I decided that starting today, my stock of 'good intentions' was officially empty. I was done being free labor.

I can still be a good person, but from now on, my kindness will have teeth.

1

My name is Chloe Lin, and I've been an administrative assistant at this firm for five years.

What exactly have I done in those five years? I covered Joanna Reed's overtime shifts three times and organized her client database twice. When she got promoted to Lead, it was because of the presentation I stayed up until 3 AM creating. She never mentioned my name once.

I wrote four monthly financial reports for Chris Miller. Every single time, he'd say, "I'll buy you lunch next time." I'm still waiting for that sandwich.

Then there's Audrey Banks, my own teammate. I've fixed more of her projects than I can count. To be honest, she'd just dump her half-baked trash on my desk, and I'd rewrite it so she could take the credit.

I used to think helping people was just the right thing to do. I thought it was my duty to be a team player.

Until last month's quarterly evaluation.

Audrey submitted an "Annual Event Strategy" that was hailed as the best proposal in the office. She walked away with the only bonus in the department―three thousand dollars.

That strategy? I wrote every single word of it.

She gave me a vague outline and a few keywords. I spent an entire week researching data, drafting the copy, building the budget, and contacting vendors for quotes.

When I handed it over, she just swapped the cover page and put her own name on it.

I stared at the company-wide email, my fingers turning cold.

What broke me was the meeting. Our director praised Audrey in front of everyone. "This plan is incredibly solid. Audrey, you're our most improved employee this year."

Audrey sat there with a humble smile, saying all the right things about "team effort," but she didn't mention me once.

I caught her after the meeting. "Audrey, about that plan..."

"Chloe, I know you helped out a bit," she said, tossing an arm around my shoulder. "I'll share some of the bonus with you next time. Don't be so petty."

Next time. It's always next time.

It's not like I hadn't tried to speak up before. I'd mentioned my involvement to the boss, but he always gave me a dismissive "Noted," and then nothing changed.

That night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling and started laughing. I'd helped all these people, but did any of them care? Not a chance.

They only remembered that Chloe Lin was easy to use. Chloe wouldn't say no. Chloe was born to be their doormat.

Being kind isn't the mistake. The mistake is being kind to people who don't give a damn about you.

The next morning, a notification popped up on my phone screen―

"Justice System activated. Kindness levels are at maximum capacity. Execute 'Good Intentions Purge'?"

I froze for three seconds, then tapped "Confirm."

"Purge complete. From now on, your kindness only works for those who earn it."