Chapter 3

“Go ahead and sue us. How are you going to afford a lawyer when you’re supporting a gambling addict?”

“Exactly. She’s a walking jinx who actually thinks she’s important.”

“You should hand all your projects over to Denise. The company needs a lucky charm like her.”

I looked around the room at their ugly faces and suddenly found the whole scene laughable.

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with them any longer, so I carefully slipped the photograph into my pocket and walked out of the office.

I had just reached the door when Denise came running after me, tears in her eyes.

“Alex, don’t go. I—I’m willing to transfer the bonus to you. Just send me your bank details. We can’t let anything happen to your father.”

The moment she said that, my colleagues began praising Denise for being kind and generous.

I stared straight at her.

I worked myself to the bone for three months and landed several major contracts, yet I hadn’t received a cent.

Fine. If she loved putting on a show so much, I’d make her follow through.

I took out my phone and opened my mobile banking app.

“Sure. Go ahead and send it.”

Denise froze, clearly shocked that I had actually accepted.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t actually offering, were you?”

“N-no, of course I was.”

She pulled out her phone and was about to make the transfer when Jasmine rushed over and grabbed her arm.

“Alex Smith, do you have no shame? Denise earned that bonus fair and square. Why should she give it to you?

“You’re bullying her at work! I’m going to make sure the entire company knows what you’re really like!”

The next second, a notification chimed on my phone.

Jasmine had posted a message directly in the company-wide group chat.

“Alex Smith is using her seniority to pressure Denise into handing over her bonus. Denise injured her hand because of her, and Alex still won’t let up. This is outrageous!”

Attached was a photo of Denise’s injured hand.

The previously quiet group chat exploded, filling with messages condemning me.

It was as if I had truly become some bitter old-timer bullying a new employee.

I looked at Jasmine and let out a cold laugh.

“Jasmine, don’t forget who gave you projects, gave you a share of the profits for free, and helped your family through its crisis over the past two years!

“I never expected you to turn out to be such an ungrateful backstabber!”

Jasmine’s face turned from pale to bright red.

She was about to speak when our boss stepped out of his office.

“What’s all the noise? This is a workplace, not a street market. Don’t you have work to do?”

He glanced around at the chaotic scene before fixing his eyes on me.

“Alex Smith, come to my office.”

I followed him inside.

“Alex, have a seat.”

“I’ll stand, Mr. Farr. Just tell me what you want.”

James sighed and adopted his usual solemn, fatherly tone.

“Look at you, still sulking. I’ve given the new policy some thought, and there are indeed a few unfair aspects to it.

“It must have been discouraging for a longtime employee like you.”

My heart stirred faintly.

But then he continued, “The company is at a critical stage, and you need to think about what’s best for the business.

“You know how important the Dawnbreaker Project is. With your luck this bad, how can I trust you to keep handling it?

“Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll pay you $400 out of my own pocket as a small gesture of goodwill from the company.”

I almost laughed.

He had certainly done the math—$400 compared with a $176,000 bonus.

How ridiculous of me to feel even a flicker of emotion just now.

“Mr. Farr,” I said, my voice calm.

“If you truly believe I’m such a jinx, then I clearly don’t belong at this company. I wouldn’t want to bring you any more bad luck. I’ll submit my resignation through the proper channels.”

With that, I turned and walked decisively toward the door.

The moment James heard me mention resigning, he flew into a strange rage.

“Alex Smith, what kind of attitude is that?”

He roared and grabbed the ashtray from his desk, hurling it at me.