Chapter 4

Patricia immediately looked up. “Mindy, do you remember Mr. George from Advance Corporation? Last week, he gave me a call and told me that Advance Corporation is expanding. Their administration department is hiring, and he asked if I’m interested.”

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say yes. I told him I’d consider it.” Patricia smiled bitterly. “If I knew this was going to happen, I would’ve just agreed to his request.”

“It’s not too late to say yes now,” I said. “Ask him how many positions they are looking to fill.”

“Are you saying that… we’d all join them?”

“Let’s try our luck. If that doesn’t work, we’ll figure something else out.”

Patricia immediately took out her phone. “I’ll call him now.”

Sam’s eyes lit up. “Mindy, Advance Corporation is one of the top companies in our industry! If we can go over…”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said. “We have to keep this a secret. Before we officially resign, we can’t let the company know where we’re heading.”

“Why?”

“Hank will definitely take revenge. In the past, when he started his business, he poached talent from Mr. George. In light of that, they have bad blood. If he finds out that we are all planning to join Advance Corporation, he’ll definitely play dirty tricks on us.”

“Got it,” Sam said, nodding. “We’ll listen to you, Mindy.”

Patricia was on the phone for half an hour.

After the call ended, she came out smiling.

“Mr. George said Advance Corporation is planning to set up a new administration center, and they need a complete team. If we’re interested, we can all go there.”

“What about the pay and benefits?”

“They’ll give us a 30% increment from our salary, and they’ll be giving out bonuses based on their financial quarters. They’ll also cover all statutory payments for us. He can arrange interviews for us starting next week.”

Autumn stood up in excitement. “Really?”

“Mr. George said it himself. Of course, it’s true.”

Sam slapped his thigh. “Then, what are we waiting for?”

“Let’s not rush,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “There are a few things that we have to do.

“Firstly, tidy and organize all the information you have on hand. Make copies and take photos of everything.

“Secondly, continue working as usual. Don’t show any signs that we’ll be leaving. We’ll only submit our resignation letters once we complete our interviews and receive an official offer.

“Thirdly, let’s try to find the law for resignation. We have to make sure they follow it strictly in terms of compensation.

“Finally,” I said, then paused. “There’s something wrong with this company’s accounts, and we have the evidence.”

All four of them looked at me.

“Last year, when we were treating the clients, Hank asked us to put it on the company’s tab for his personal expenses. Have you forgotten about that? And as for those few business trips that he brought his mistress on, he put his flight and hotel expenditures on the company’s account too.”

Sam gasped. “That’s fraud…”

“That’s not all,” I said. “Three of our suppliers are companies belonging to Hank’s uncle. Every year, we pay them millions of dollars, but they do nothing for us. These dealings are suspicious, as they’re taking up the company’s resources.”

Patricia’s expression changed. “Mindy, are you saying…”

“I have said nothing.” I looked at her. “I’m just reminding you to keep your receipts. Just in case you need it, you’ll still have evidence.”

Everyone nodded absent-mindedly.

The next week, our potential job-hopping strategy was going according to plan.

Advance Corporation was serious about poaching us. Adrian George personally arranged our interviews, and all five of us passed the interviews and received our offers.

Our start date would fall on the first day of the following month. It was perfect for our notice period.

I thought everything was going according to plan.

Then, Friday afternoon, Hank suddenly called for an urgent meeting via company email.

[All staff have to attend an emergency meeting at three in the afternoon. There are some important updates on company resources.]

My heart sank.

At three in the afternoon, the meeting room was filled with all the company’s employees.

Hank stood at the front, and an unfamiliar young man stood next to him. The young man wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and he was dressed professionally. It was obvious that he had studied overseas.

“I have one announcement to make today.”