Chapter 3

Steven Tipkin, the HR director, rushed to my office in a complete panic.

"Ms. Pierce, we have to do damage control immediately! We can release the full benefits policy and all the signed voluntary overtime forms! Let the facts speak for themselves, and the rumors will collapse on their own!"

I was about to agree, but just as I started to nod, Bree handed me her phone.

"Ms. Pierce, take a look at this!"

Under Sylvie's viral video was a top comment that had already racked up tens of thousands of likes.

An anonymous account labeled "internal employee" posted the following comment in an unequivocally assertive tone.

"Don't try to whitewash this. I work at this company. That 'voluntary' overtime form? HR used our performance reviews as leverage and forced us to sign them one by one. Who'd dare refuse? If you didn't sign, you were just waiting to be 'optimized' right out of the company."

Under this blatant lie were countless echoes.

"I knew it! As if there are actually that many people who would voluntarily work their asses off—it's all forced!"

"Stay safe, OP. Watch out for retaliation from the capitalist!"

"I support OP for speaking out! We need more brave people like you!"

Instantly, I felt every drop of blood in my body turn ice-cold. I waved my hand and called off the entire PR clarification plan.

"No explanations," I said.

Steven froze. "What? Why? If we don't clarify now, Ms. Pierce, we'll…"

I looked out the window at those excited-looking faces, and the last trace of warmth vanished from my eyes.

"They don't want the truth. They just want the truth that they've already decided on. So, they want a break, huh?" I said, turning to Bree. "Then I'll give them one."

Bree looked at me hesitantly, seemingly not understanding what I meant.

I placed a call to the administrative department via the internal line.

"Notify all employees that there'll be a company-wide meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am. I'll announce the final arrangements regarding the year-end holidays."

…

The next day, the company's largest conference hall was packed to capacity.

Almost every employee's face glowed with the joy of victory. They clustered together in small groups, whispering excitedly. The atmosphere was so relaxed that it felt more like a celebratory party.

Sylvie was the undisputed center of attention. She even shamelessly started a livestream right there in the hall.

The title for the stream was particularly glaring. "Justice Prevails! Gen Z Woman Leads Company Away from Corporate Grind!"

She stood in the middle of a crowd, passionately proclaiming how she'd "single-handedly taken on the entire capitalist system". Ryan hovered around her like an assistant, handing her water one second and adjusting the phone angle for her the next.

When I walked into the hall, it went quiet for a brief moment. Then, almost instantly, every pair of eyes turned toward me, brimming with barely contained glee and a hunger for drama.

I walked onto the stage and adjusted the microphone.

"Good morning, everyone," I said, my voice ringing clearly through the speakers across the entire hall.

"Regarding the recent online controversy and everyone's concerns about the year-end holiday arrangements, on behalf of the company, I'd like to offer my sincere apologies."

Thunderous applause erupted instantly, and Sylvie's live chat exploded.

"Goodness gracious! The capitalist actually caved!"

"Amazing! Gen Z successfully fixed the workplace!"

"You did it, queen! You won!"

Ryan led the applause below, grinning ear to ear. He nodded to me as he clapped, as if saying, "See? You should've just done this right from the start".

I straightened up and continued, "After serious reflection, we recognize that the previous overtime policy indeed failed to fully consider everyone's pursuit of physical and mental well-being. This has gone against our company's people-first values.

"Therefore, to protect the physical and mental health of all our employees and actively respond to public opinion, the company has decided…"

I took a deliberate pause. Everyone held their breaths, necks craned to get a better look at me. Sylvie even pointed her phone camera straight at me, ready to capture this "historic moment".

"All voluntary overtime arrangements during the year-end holidays are officially cancelled."

Loud cheers exploded across the hall, nearly tearing off the roof.

"And, to ensure that everyone can enjoy a truly uninterrupted, perfect holiday… From 6:00 pm on December 24 to 9:00 am on January 2 of the new year, the company will undergo a security system upgrade.

"During that time, all office areas will be fully powered down, and all access controls will be suspended. Except for security personnel, no one is allowed on the premises for any reason."