Chapter 1

I immediately called my assistant, Emily Carter, in and instructed her to draft a brand-new set of company rules. Then, I told her to notify everyone that a meeting would be held.

The moment I stepped out of my office, I heard several hushed voices whispering nearby.

"So you really think he’d be generous enough to give us 85% of the profits? Is that even possible?"

"No way. You don’t even need your brain to know that. What kind of boss is that generous? He just exaggerated it for publicity in a bid to make himself look good. And we’re the suckers being used as pawns, don’t you get it?"

"Exactly. All bosses are the same. I don’t believe for a second that he’s that kind-hearted. He says we can come in late or leave early, but don’t we always have to make up the hours anyway?"

"And letting us advance our salaries whenever we want? That’s just to make us dependent on him so we can’t leave."

…

Each sentence, wrapped in so-called analysis, made my heart sink.

I never imagined that, in their eyes, my goodwill was nothing more than a tactic to win people over.

I treated my employees with genuine sincerity, yet it didn’t earn me equal respect or honest returns. Instead, it invited malicious speculation.

Since that was the case, there was no reason for me to continue treating them sincerely. I quietly turned around and went back into my office.

Soon, Emily walked in holding a newly drafted set of company regulations and handed it to me.

"Mr. Marcus Hale, the new company rules are ready."

"Good. Notify everyone that the meeting is starting."

"Alright."

When I arrived at the conference room, it was already buzzing with noise.

Indeed, before this, I had never restricted their freedom to speak. I let them treat this place like their own home. The atmosphere had never been tense or formal.

"Hey, the boss said yesterday he’d split that $850,000 bonus with us. Could today be the day?"

"More money again."

I cleared my throat twice and walked in.

"Today’s meeting is to announce a major decision," I said. "That is… the company has reissued a new set of rules and regulations. From now on, this will be the standard."

I signaled for Emily to distribute the new rules. Everyone received a copy.

Someone read aloud from the paper, "Effective immediately, employees are not allowed to arrive late or leave early. All staff must report to work strictly according to company hours. Any violation will result in a $50 wage deduction. Employees will be evaluated monthly based on performance. The lowest performer each month will be terminated."

"And we can’t advance our salaries anymore?!"

The entire conference room was stunned.

Lena Parker looked up at me. "Mr. Hale, are you joking with us?"

"Yeah, Mr. Hale. Weren’t we supposed to get the profit bonus today?"

"Mr. Hale, you’re hilarious. It’s not April Fool’s Day. Why are you pulling our legs?"

…

They were firmly convinced that I would never change my policies. Before long, the atmosphere grew lively again.

I slammed my hand on the table.

"Quiet! What company allows employees to speak when they want during a meeting?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Someone spoke cautiously, "Wasn’t it always like this before, Mr. Hale?"

"That was before. The rules have changed now. From today onward, everyone will strictly follow the new regulations, just like any other company. No arriving late. No leaving early. As for that $850,000 in profits, I no longer plan to distribute it."

The words had barely fallen when a shocked voice rang out.

"What?!"

Someone immediately stood up. "Mr. Hale, didn’t you say that the 85% profit would be given to us?"

"Yeah, Mr. Hale. The old system was working just fine. Why change it?"

One employee after another stood up in protest.

My gaze swept over each of them. After repeated probing, I already knew that none of them had acted alone. They had banded together as a group to report me.

Now they stood here, playing dumb and asking me why. What a joke.

"Are you the boss, or am I? Any further discussion during this meeting will result in another $50 deduction."

As soon as I said that, they immediately fell silent.

I scoffed and turned to leave. What awaited them next would be even more shocking.