Chapter 1

"Excess usage was a necessary optimization to achieve the best delivery results, and the adjustment was properly filed in advance," I explained.

I placed the filing record on the director's desk.

Tristan Hayes tore it in half the moment it touched the surface. "Stop shifting blame. Your system has caused the company measurable financial damage."

He threw me out of his office. As I turned, I caught sight of Wesley Pierce, the sales manager, slipping inside with a fawning smile plastered across his face.

"Look at him," someone muttered nearby. "Every time he sees Mr. Hayes, he turns into a lapdog."

"Well, he's part of Mr. Hayes' inner circle. Any good news always goes to the sales division first."

"What do you expect? Sales bring in revenue. When it's our finance department, the question is always the same. What do you contribute? What profit have you created?"

"Speaking of contributions, the biggest one during Black Friday came from Ms. Lynn."

A few coworkers had been killing time and venting about management. When they noticed me, their curiosity lit up.

"Right, Ms. Lynn's new smart-push system nailed the targeting. Products sold out across the board. They had to open several new production lines just to keep up with shipping."

"Ms. Lynn, you're the company's star this time. You broke the Black Friday record with 30 million dollars in orders. You must be getting a huge bonus."

I gave an awkward smile. Before I could answer, a notification popped up in the company group chat.

"During Black Friday, the sales division generated 30 million dollars in product sales. Commission awarded: 150,000 dollars.

"In accordance with company policy, monthly sales exceeding ten million dollars will earn the sales division an additional 50,000 dollars."

The room filled with whispers, and sympathy flickered across my coworkers' faces.

"I thought having my proposal stolen and paraded in front of the CEO was bad enough. Turns out Ms. Lynn has it worse."

I steadied myself and returned to my desk. The technical division group chat was already in uproar.

"So as long as something is sold, the credit belongs to sales? They have no shame."

"Why does the sales division get everything? We were the ones pulling all-nighters to keep the system running, but every bonus ends up in their pocket."

"What am I supposed to do? I've been counting on that bonus to pay for my dad's medical bills."

I was about to message the coworker who needed the money when another notification appeared. It was a public reprimand by Tristan.

"The system built by Jenna Lynn, from the technical division, has incurred an additional cost of 100,000 dollars, causing financial loss to the company. This amount will be deducted from Jenna's salary as a disciplinary measure."

A quiet, humorless laugh rose from my throat.

When I joined the company, they taught us to focus on what we could give the company, not what the company could give us.

I had delivered 30 million dollars in revenue.

As for what the company could give me in return? A bill for 100,000 dollars.

Without a word, I backed up the complete system code and database.

Seeing that I hadn't responded, Tristan tagged me again.

"@Technical Division Jenna. Are you dissatisfied with the company's disciplinary decision? If so, the entire technical division can share the penalty."

I hadn't expected him to stoop so low, using my team as leverage to force my submission. And with one of my team members urgently needing money, I couldn't let him suffer because of my refusal to bow.