Chapter 3

03

The Pre-Christmas flash sale starts in three days.

The Chairman is taking this very seriously. He called a general meeting to demand even better results than Black Friday.

He praised the Sales Department and promised that if we hit $30 million again, everyone's year-end bonus would double.

While everyone was excited, they were also worried.

"Usually, our monthly sales are under $5 million. That's why the $10 million bonus threshold exists."

"Don't worry," someone whispered. "Elena is in Sales now. She'll have to work even harder to prove herself if she wants to get back to Tech."

Miller obviously had the same thought. He approached me right after the meeting.

"Elena, you saw the Chairman's resolve. I'm doing this for your own good. I want you to bond with your colleagues. If you work hard and prioritize the big picture, you'll get a piece of the next bonus."

I laughed coldly. "Director, I'm part of Sales now. I'll be a great team player. As for the system? It's just a tool, right? I can't wait to see the sales numbers."

"You're really going to be difficult?" Miller's face darkened. "Do you think the system won't run without you? It's company property. Hand over the access keys and get out of this office!"

Miller stormed off to HR. A few minutes later, I received the official transfer notice:

【Elena Sterling is now an Associate Sales Representative. Base salary: $3,000. Commission based on individual sales. Additionally, $1,000 will be deducted monthly to cover the $10,000 debt until paid in full.】

I took a screenshot of the notice. The remaining pay was barely enough for groceries in this city.

As I packed my things, an HR girl looked at me awkwardly.

"Elena, this laptop belongs to the Tech Department. Per policy, you can't take it with you."

I looked at her and understood. They sent a young girl because they knew I wouldn't make a scene with her.

"Fine. Lead the way to Sales."

When I arrived at the Sales Department, Brad Thompson was waiting at the door.

"Well, well, look who it is! The great Lead Engineer has graced us with her presence!"

"Attention, everyone! Stop what you're doing and welcome our newest member. Director Miller wants us to show her what real soul is."

"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison. The noise was deafening.

"Elena, you can call me Manager. For now, you'll be training right here."

Brad pointed to a desk in the back. it was covered in a thick layer of dust.

Right next to it was a massive trash can that smelled like rotting leftovers.

I silently got a bucket of water and started cleaning the desk.

Seeing that I didn't react, Brad pushed further.

"From now on, Elena will be responsible for wiping down everyone's desks and washing their coffee mugs every morning. It's a great way to build 'team chemistry.'"

For the next two days, they used the upcoming sale as an excuse to treat me like a servant. I was sent to pick up packages or buy rounds of coffee for the whole floor. They called it 'logistical support.'

While I was out buying coffee, I ran into Leo, my former junior from the Tech Department.

"Leo? Why are you out here?"

"Elena!" Leo's eyes were red. "Since you left and Kevin took over, the Tech Department has become a disaster."

"The ad targeting is garbage now. Miller is holding the access keys but he has no idea what he's doing. The system is throwing errors every hour. When I suggested we optimize the API, Miller told me I was being insubordinate and assigned me to do data entry."

Leo looked like he was about to cry. He had been with me since he graduated; he didn't deserve this.

"Elena, that system is your life's work! They're going to break it!"

I patted his shoulder and lifted the bag of coffees.

"It's okay, Leo. Just do exactly what he says. Don't try to fix anything. That way, when it breaks, it's not on you."

"As for me, my job is just buying coffee and waiting for the show to start."