Chapter 2

Our company was in the precision instrument manufacturing line.

Six months ago, Jude Frances, the general manager of the procurement department, resigned.

Procurement was a lucrative department. Many individuals wanted to take that role. However, it was different in our industry.

Upon manufacturing the products, the profit margin would increase. The pricing of the raw material had gone up exponentially.

There was only a small pool of suppliers, so it was really hard to get any stock without connections.

In the past, Jude managed to get Mr. Taylor to agree to sell us the stock at a price below market value because they were relatives.

After Jude left the company, the headquarters took the matter seriously and sent someone to look into the situation.

They knew that I was Jude’s mentee, so they transferred me to the procurement department.

They hoped that my connection to Jude would grant me special treatment.

If I managed to support the procurement department through this transition, I would be promoted to deputy director by the following year.

When I thought about the final payment deadline, I immediately rushed into the director, Harry Manson’s office.

He was talking on the phone, but he quickly ended the call when he saw me rushing in.

“Have a seat, Mindy!”

I updated Harry about Lily withholding the payment on purpose and my frustrations about it.

“Lily has informed me about the payment.

“She’s right, and her concerns are valid. You have to understand her!”

I was stunned and perplexed.

Harry took a sip of his tea. “Mindy, I’m not trying to say anything.

“But let’s use Glory Corporation as an example! Once we’ve manufactured the item, we will pay Glory Corporation only when we have gained the returns from it. Won’t that work?

“It’s better to put our existing capital on investments for better returns. We’ll be able to increase our revenue in the coming months. Why would we need to follow what the others say?”

I was a little confused. I said subconsciously, “But… Glory Corporation wouldn’t accept this! It’s common practice in the industry to pay first before receiving the stock. You know this!”

When Harry heard what I said, he slammed his teacup against the table. The tea spilt and scalded the back of my hand.

“Since you’ve taken over the procurement department, you should show us some results! Why are you going along with whatever Glory Corporation wants? Don’t forget, you work for Ocean Corporation! You’re the procurement manager of Ocean Corporation!”

Harry had been a general manager for five years. He had a very good understanding of the industry.

He only behaved like that because the headquarters did not promote the one he chose. Instead, they chose Jude’s mentee, me.

I knew that he was playing dumb with me to make things difficult, so I laid out the facts.

“Mr. Manson, we will lose this batch of stock if we fail to make payment. The company will suffer massive losses. Someone will have to take responsibility.”

Harry’s face fell. “Are you threatening me?”

I immediately explained myself, “Mr. Manson, I’m not threatening you. I’m just saying it as it is.”

He dropped his act and sneered. “You’re the procurement manager. If you fail to get the stock, it’s on you.

“Mindy, it’s your promotion on the line. Don’t let the company down!”

Feeling lost, I went back to my seat. I bitterly stared at the agreement with Glory Corporation.

Mr. Taylor would not wait for the payment, and the company was unwilling to make the payment. I had been caught in the middle.

Harry and Lily were trying to set me up!

I would not let them win and be their scapegoat!

The next day, I wrote a summary of the incident and prepared to report it to the headquarters.

When I went to the receptionist to retrieve a parcel, I passed by Harry’s office. I heard Lily’s obnoxious laugh from his office.

“That witch must have stolen money from the company! She’s always dressed expensively. If I don’t teach her a lesson, she wouldn’t even respect me as a finance director!”

Harry laughed sinisterly. “After she leaves the company, you can get your nephew to join us and be the procurement director!”

“Deal! Don’t give in if she sweet-talks you!”

My fingernails dug into my palms.

Merely reporting them to the headquarters was too light a punishment!

I was not going to let them carry out such blatant sabotage!

After I got home, I took out my title deed.

In order to buy this house, I had used up all my savings. I had even used my parents’ retirement funds.

It was a testimony of my ten years of hard work. So what if I took a chance on it?

Harry and Lily did not know that from the moment I set my mind, I would be the one dictating the game rules.