Chapter 1

...

"Regret? Who do you think you are?" Adeline Mason looked at me with utter disdain. "Don't think that just because you hit $500K in commissions, you're hot stuff. Everything you've got is thanks to this company. Without it, you're zilch."

She folded her arms on her chest, staring at me arrogantly. I remained silent, staring back.

Unable to hold back, the client spoke up. "That's absurd! Ms. Malone was just hosting me as a client. Is that a crime?"

Adeline whipped around to him with a mocking cackle. "Our products are for high-end customers. Your cheap getup probably doesn't even add up to $200. Do you really qualify as a client? Give me a break. I bet Bessie paid you to show up and freeload."

David Esposito's face flushed with anger. He jabbed a finger at her. "You..."

"What?" Adeline slapped his hand away. "You've got some nerve trying to freeload at our place. Get out now, or I'll have security throw you out!"

David was so mad he couldn't even form words.

I chimed in coldly, "Do you have any clue what you've done? Mr. Esposito is our top client. Apologize to him now!"

Sure, David dressed down and kept a low profile, but he ran the Esposito Group, which was our most crucial supplier.

We'd captured 70% market share in just a year, all thanks to him. He wasn't just important; he was our golden goose.

I'd tolerated Adeline's nonsense before because she was my boyfriend's sister, but this was too much.

Undeterred, she burst out laughing. "Nice try, Bessie. Inventing some big-shot supplier to cover your cheap lunch scam? You must think I'm brain-dead."

She signaled security, and two guards hauled David out. The scene drew a crowd of colleagues, all staring at me in confusion.

I held my ground, my tone flat. "You get what this could cost the company, right?"

Adeline snorted, like it was the funniest joke she'd heard. "Some bottom-feeder bum? What consequences could there be? Better check your own situation. You're in hot water now for offending me."

With that, she snatched a boxed lunch from the table and poured it right over my head. Rice and gravy dripped down my face, soaking into my clothes and leaving me a total mess.

I clenched my fists, glaring at her, but she clapped her hands smugly. "Before you leave work today, submit a 5,000-word self-reflection essay to my email and copy it to all colleagues."

She sauntered off like she owned the place. I watched her leave, slowly unclenching my fists.

Not long after, she posted a punishment notice in the company's main chat group.

[Sales Manager Bessie Malone has maliciously tarnished the company's image with serious misconduct. Upon review, her monthly commission of $500K is revoked in full, and she is demoted from her position. Consider this a lesson to all.]

My colleagues were stunned. Mark Mann, my right-hand guy, barged into my office, fuming. "Has that idiot lost her mind? Ninety percent of the company's performance comes from you, and she demoted you?"

I gave a wry smile, staying silent. Deep down, I knew this was just the opening act.