Chapter 1

The year-end financial audit was just posted. I stared at the list of company assets in disbelief.

My car was right there. The car I had paid for in full with my own hard-earned money was listed as company property.

"Our company thrives on a 'Family First' culture," the HR director said, leaning against my desk. "What is yours belongs to the company. We are all one big family here, after all."

It did not stop there. They had fired the company driver and dumped all the transit duties on my shoulders.

"Here is this month's reception schedule," she added, dropping a folder in front of me. "Also, you need to drive to the next state at three in the morning to pick up my father."

My face went dark. Lydia Sterling, the HR head who had been parachuted into the role, just smirked at me.

"In this family, we do not draw lines," she said. "My father is basically your father, right?"

I felt my blood boiling. "Then I want my car back!"

She immediately pulled out a loan agreement from her pocket. "Simple. We can set up a payment plan for you. If you work here for three more years, you can 'buy' it back."

So, not only was I expected to be a free chauffeur, but I also had to pay to get my own vehicle back?

Ever since this woman arrived, our benefits had vanished and holidays were canceled. Now, she was reaching directly into my wallet.

"I quit!" I snapped, standing up.

She let out a cold laugh. Then, she hauled a massive employee handbook onto the desk. It was nearly half a meter thick.

"Clause 1,867," she read with a sneer. "Any employee who resigns voluntarily must pay a penalty equal to double their total annual salary. You are now under a six-month evaluation period. You can only leave once you pass."

1

"Other people get paid to work," I shouted, my voice echoing through the office. "You want me to pay you? Have you lost your mind?"

Lydia tilted her head back and adjusted her designer glasses. The heavy gold bracelet on her wrist was blindingly bright.

"What a terrible thing to say," she purred. "We care deeply about our staff. When the company prospers, you will reap the rewards too."

As she spoke, a massive diamond ring on her finger flashed in my eyes.

I could practically see my hard-earned salary being funneled into her jewelry box. I pointed a finger right at her nose.

"Why don't you just sell yourself to the company?" I screamed.

"Why not tattoo 'Public Asset' across your forehead? Is this what you mean by efficiency? Just stealing from me?"

"If you're so good at math, stop working in HR. Go work in accounting where you can cook the books!"

She didn't seem embarrassed at all. Instead, her eyes welled up with fake tears.

My coworkers had already gathered outside the office to watch the drama unfold.

Several of her sycophants were already whispering and glaring at me from the hallway.

I threw the door open, letting the light spill out. The crowd surged forward to see the spectacle.

Lydia took that as her cue to start sobbing. She looked like a fragile flower crushed by a storm. It was a performance that earned her instant sympathy from the fools.

Someone suddenly grabbed my hair from behind and yanked me out into the hallway.

"Chloe Whitlock! How can you be so cruel?" a man shouted. "It's just a car. Are you really that desperate for money?"

"The company is going through a rough patch," another woman added. "Lydia is just thinking about our future. Why are you being so aggressive?"

"Exactly! You're a team lead. You should be setting an example for the rest of us!"

The moral high ground they were taking was absolutely sickening.

I spun around and shoved the man back. I reached up and grabbed a fistful of his own hair.

"You little bootlicker," I spat. "If you love her so much, why don't you donate your car? Why don't you give her your paycheck?"

We started scuffling right there in the hall, a mess of limbs and shouting.

Lydia stumbled out of the office, looking like a victim. That flashy gold bracelet was suddenly nowhere to be seen.

She leaned against a desk, looking weak and breathless. Her voice trembled perfectly.

"Chloe, I didn't have a choice," she whimpered.

"I thought since your family was well-off, you wouldn't mind helping out. But the resignation policy is a company rule. My hands are tied."

The crowd murmured in agreement, throwing more insults my way.

I saw them for what they were. It is easy to be generous when someone else is paying the price.

I realized fighting them physically would not solve anything.

I forced a few tears into my own eyes and lunged forward, grabbing her expensive clothes.

Suddenly, a heavy gold bracelet hit the floor with a loud clang, drawing everyone's eyes.

"You should have told me the company was in such trouble!" I wailed, acting just as dramatic as she was.

"Let's all help! We should all donate our salaries this month. Let's start a relief fund for the firm!"

"Look! You can still afford gold! I can barely afford to eat! Since gold prices are up, let's sell this right now for the company!"

I sat on the floor and started acting like a madwoman. Two can play the drama game.

The air in the office went dead silent as everyone looked at the gold on the floor.

Lydia's face turned a bruised shade of purple.

I didn't stop there.

"We have to help! Let's call the CEO down here so we can all discuss how much property we are donating!"

"Oh, and Lydia? You said I had to pick up your dad. But since it is after hours, company policy says the car cannot leave the lot!"

The bootlickers went quiet. None of them actually wanted to donate their own money.

I snorted and looked at Lydia's clenched fists. I gave her a sharp, tearless smile.

Suddenly, Lydia pulled out her phone. She started dialing the CEO with a triumphant look.

"Chloe, if you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Mr. Miller," she said. "I'm just an employee. Why are you making this so hard for me?"