Chapter 4

"It was an oversight of mine. I failed to fully consult with employees, causing inconvenience and misunderstanding for everyone," I added.

Down in the audience, Cecily and Jeremy exchanged smug glances, and a few people even chuckled.

Without stopping, I signaled Susan to turn on the projector. A detailed financial report appeared on the massive screen behind me.

"This is a detailed financial report for the company's cafeteria that covers the three years since I took over and reformed it, and it has been audited by a third-party accounting firm.

"To ensure the cafeteria's operation, I've personally injected a total of 2.8 million dollars into the company's administrative account over the past three years.

"After deducting the company's standard meal subsidies, the actual annual deficit has been approximately 935 thousand dollars.

"The seafood thermidor dish that sparked this controversy costs 21 dollars and 30 cents per serving for ingredients alone, not including labor, utilities, and other operating costs. The planned selling price is 14 dollars, but in reality, I would have personally taken a net loss of 7.30 dollars per bowl sold."

On the report, every bank transaction showing my contributions and every major ingredient procurement contract was displayed clearly.

A stir began to ripple through the audience.

"Is this for real? Ms. Clarke has been subsidizing our meals by paying out of her own pocket?"

"Those records have to be edited, right? Who would be that stupid?"

But after seeing the contracts and bank transactions bearing official stamps, most people began to look uneasy.

I continued, "In light of the strong dissatisfaction with the cafeteria's market-based pricing—and to eliminate any misunderstanding that the company is profiting from the cafeteria—after urgent discussions with the board of directors, we're making the following adjustments to the cafeteria's management and operating model.

"Decision one—effective immediately, I will cease all personal financial subsidies to the cafeteria."

The hall erupted in murmurs. But before they could fully process it, my voice rang out again, "Decision two—effective immediately, the employment contracts of award-winning chef Marty Pollard and his entire team are terminated. They will leave today."

Someone in the audience let out an audible yelp.

"Decision three—to ensure employees' basic dining needs are met, the cafeteria will be fully outsourced to QuickBite, a pre-made meal provider."

QuickBite was a well-known low-end catering supplier infamous in the industry for its low prices and equally terrible taste.

Incredulous gasps and exclamations spread through the crowd.

"Decision four—all employee benefits exceeding national legal requirements—including but not limited to daily free fruit, afternoon tea, overtime late-night snacks, and snack corners—are canceled effective immediately."

As soon as I finished speaking, the new cafeteria menu and pricing rolled onto the screen.

"Set A (1 protein, 2 vegetables): 18 dollars.

"Set B (2 proteins, 1 vegetable): 21 dollars.

"Premium Business Set (includes soup and fruit): 30 dollars.

"Pasta/Noodles: starting at 12 dollars.

"Beverages: 4 to 8 dollars."

More than 400 employees froze in shock, and the entire hall fell silent. Everyone was dumbfounded.

"You!" Cecily shrieked, the first to react.

She shot to her feet, her face purple with rage as she pointed at me and screamed, "Moira! This is a personal vendetta! You're using your position to get back at us!

"We only asked you to lower the prices! Who told you to turn the cafeteria into this?"

I looked at her coolly, my gaze not showing even a ripple of emotion.

"Ms. Plinkton, in your video, you repeatedly called me 'heartless' and 'desperate for money' and said I 'milked you dry.'

"Well, now I'm giving you exactly what you want—I'm not making one extra dime. And not only am I not making any extra money, but I'm not subsidizing the company anymore either.

"The cafeteria will be outsourced, operating on a fully market-driven model, with prices set by a third-party company. It'll be fair and square for everyone.

"As for the free benefits, those were above-standard perks funded out of my own pocket. Since you clearly don't approve of that, I naturally need to correct that mistake."