Chapter 3

Andrea was speechless. She thought for a long time before saying, “We’re not saying that you didn’t contribute to the company. However, the administration department truly didn’t contribute to direct profit. You’re only spending in our financial report…”

I sneered.

“Then, let’s look at our workload.”

I took out our attendance report.

“For the entirety of last year, the average overtime per person was 42 hours per month. When our office relocated over the Fourth of July weekend, we worked for 72 hours straight without resting.

“When customers visited during Easter, we arranged everything from their flights, accommodations, food, and even the meeting room decorations. We didn’t even manage to eat dinner.

“What was the overtime fee we received? 18 dollars! Even working at a regular convenience store, we’d get paid 22 dollars!”

I paused and said firmly.

“18 dollars per hour, and we’re working so hard. Then, we’re given brooms to ‘sweep’ away our bad luck. Andrea, do you think this is reasonable?”

Andrea’s face turned cold.

“Mindy, stop focusing on your minor contributions. You should look at other departments. Sales, marketing… They’ve contributed a lot more than you.”

I stood up and rolled my eyes.

“What contributions? Delaying our claims?

“The administration department has helped all other departments by paying for their expenses first. More than eighty thousand dollars in claims still have not been reimbursed to us! The finance department keeps delaying their approval, and their reason is that the SOP isn’t right! Which step of the SOP is wrong? We’ve always submitted our claims that way!

“Let’s talk about the planning department, which is led by Hank’s nephew. They came up with three proposals. Our clients complained that one of those proposals had been plagiarized. We forked up fifty thousand dollars for PR. That sum of money was deducted from the administration department’s budget! Are these the contributions you’re talking about?”

The more I talked, the more unfair I felt this was.

“Besides, your department only focuses on attendance and sanctions! You deduct fifty dollars if the person is late by one minute, and you deduct a hundred dollars if they forget to tap in. If their work desk isn’t tidy, they’re fined fifty dollars. Last year alone, you’d have received more than thirty thousand dollars in fines. Where did the money go?”

I sneered.

“How incredible! You’re all huge contributors! Since the company feels that the administration department hasn’t provided any contributions, don’t expect us to stay back and work overtime for free! We’re honest people, but we’re not dumb! With the past promises falling through, we’ve learned that empty promises are all you have!”

I ignored Andrea’s dark expression, turned around, and left.

I heard the sound of a teacup shattering.

I thought she was being nice, but she was just helping Hank.

Andrea must be part of the team that planned that segment of the annual dinner.

When I returned to the administration department, my subordinates all looked at me.

I felt a lump in my throat. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Sam grimaced. “Based on Mindy’s expression, I bet it’s over for us. Forget about it, I’ll figure something else out for my wedding.”

Autumn wiped her tears. “Just now, everyone pooled some money so I could bring my mother to get basic treatment. I’ll bring her to a specialist in the future.”

Patricia did not say a word as she fidgeted with her phone. She was most likely updating her husband about the potential delay of his check-up.

They were bearing the unfair treatment.

I balled up my fists.

“Patricia, don’t you have a good friend over at HR?”

Patricia nodded. “Yes, Connie. Why?”

“Ask her if there is any latest news in the company.”

Patricia immediately texted Connie Smith. A few minutes later, her expression changed.

“Mindy, Connie said that… Mr. Reid wants to fire our entire department. They wanted to cut our salaries for three years, but they couldn’t. So, they want to hire cheap, fresh graduates instead.

“That’s not all,” Patricia said through gritted teeth. “Andrea has asked the legal department to prepare the documents. She said that if we dare to blow this matter up, they’ll go through all of our accounts to find supplier rebates or discrepancies in reimbursements. They’ll find something to incriminate us.”

“We can’t let this slide. Not this time.”

My voice was hoarse, and my eyes were filled with fury. I was forced to a dead end.