Chapter 1

Before my annual leave was up, I received a phone call from my supplier, Mr. Taylor.

“Mindy, I’ve been backed against the wall here!

“The stock has been stuck in the warehouse for two months. Your company still hasn’t paid me. If this continues, I’ll run into cash flow issues!”

I immediately denied it. “That’s impossible. Before I went on leave, I already informed the finance department to pay you after the holidays. Can you get your finance personnel to check again?”

Mr. Taylor sighed over the phone. “You know that many other people would love to take the stock from our hands. I’ve only worked with your company for this long because of you!

“I’ll give you three more days. That’s the final bit of leniency I can afford. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to go elsewhere.”

I wanted to say something else, but Mr. Taylor hung up on me.

I immediately called Sally Anderson. She was from the procurement department.

It took her a long time to answer, only to irritably question me.

“What? Don’t you know I’m busy?!”

“Look, it’s about Glory Corporation…”

I only managed to get a few words out before she hung up on me.

I had no choice but to look for the intern, Dave Swift.

He sounded hesitant over the phone. “Mindy, I’ve tried following up many times. If I question them again, Lily from finance is going to murder me!”

I called the finance director, Lily Daniels. However, she did not answer my call.

My instincts told me that the situation was rather complicated.

I cut my vacation short and flew back to the country.

I had just reached the company when the salesperson, Finneas Holmes, came up to me.

“The buyer has already submitted the 10% deposit. However, the stock hasn’t reached the factory yet, so we won’t be able to deliver the goods when they’re due. We would need to pay for the late penalty.”

I frowned and quickly walked to the finance department.

Lily was slightly stunned to see me. “Why are you here?”

I put on a big smile. “Ms. Daniels, Glory Corporation said that they have yet to receive the payment. I called you a few times, but you didn’t answer. Can you provide me with the payment proof so I can get them to cross-check?”

Lily grimaced impatiently. “We haven’t paid them. How would I have any payment receipts?”

I was stunned. “We didn’t? I thought we agreed before the holiday that the finance department would make the payment by the next working day. Why has it been left unpaid?” She did not answer but called over the new accountant.

“I asked you to give me a list of our payments yesterday! Where is it? Are you planning to fail your internship?”

Just like that, a convenient scapegoat was created.

I placed the airport’s souvenir on her desk. Lily finally looked up.

“Please help to keep an eye out for this payment. Today is the final payment due date. We must pay them before the work day ends.”

I remained absent-mindedly at my desk the whole afternoon.

I waited for a long time, but I still did not receive any payment receipts.

I spotted Lily preparing to leave and quickly rushed toward her.

“Haven’t we agreed to pay Glory Corporation today? Why isn’t it done?”

“I didn’t agree to pay!”

I laughed in disbelief at her attitude. I did not want to waste my time on social etiquette. I immediately laid out the consequences.

“A delayed payment would be devastating. It will cost the company millions of dollars. When the guys upstairs come knocking, would you be able to answer them?”

Lily immediately got anxious. “Don’t you put the blame on me! It’s none of my business.

“We’ve invested the money into wealth management products. If we make any premature withdrawals, we’d lose 400 dollars per day! If we stretch ourselves to make your payment, who would take the fall?

“Tell them to put it on our tab. Once the investment is matured, we will immediately pay them!”

Sally held a stack of reimbursement forms and leaned against the door frame. “Mindy, Ms. Daniels just got you up to speed. Just play along. Besides, you have such a good relationship with Mr. Taylor. If you begged him, he would definitely agree to this request!”

I ignored her and turned my gaze to Lily. “Glory Corporation will never accept such an arrangement. If we don’t pay them, I won’t be able to receive the stocks!

“I’ve followed the SOPs for the payment, and all leaders have already signed the form. If you don’t want to carry out the payment, you must give me a justification in black and white!”

I thought she would work on it, but she instead exchanged a glance with Sally and sized me up.

“Saleswomen are basically escorts! Just play coy, and they’ll give you the stocks! Why are you acting like you’re better than that?”

I was stunned.

Suddenly, everyone was looking at me oddly.