Chapter 2

Seth pointed at me with rage. His finger was so near that it almost touched my nose.

“If you refuse, we’ll deduct it from your year-end bonus.

“I already checked with finance. Your bonus this year should just be over 300,000. It’s a lot less than the value of the car, but I’ll be generous and not argue.”

“Aren’t you worried that I’ll take this to Mr. Langley?” I asked.

Quincy Langley was the real boss of the company. Seth’s actions were usually tolerated, but if I went to Langley, he would definitely step in.

However, Seth was not worried at all.

“Go ahead. Try it.

“Didn’t you notice that Mr. Langley already left before you came? He’s already approved this.”

I lowered my head. Suddenly, all my hard work this year felt a little pointless.

I picked up the glass on the table and drank its contents in one go. The burning liquid slid down my throat.

Staring at the bottom of the glass, I slowly said, “I’ll send the redemption code to your assistant.”

Seth’s eyes lit up as he smiled.

“That’s better.”

He patted me on the shoulder and refilled my glass.

However, I ignored him and returned to my table.

Juliet saw my sullen expression and pressed me for details on what had happened.

I told her everything, and her face turned bright red with anger. “This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!

“I can’t let this go! Ruby, you can’t just let him get away with this!”

Zeke held her back. “Look at you. Ruby’s being bullied? Don’t worry. She definitely has a plan.”

I did have a plan, but I needed to be sure of something first.

As soon as work started, I went straight to Quincy.

However, his secretary blocked me at the door. She told me that Quincy was either out or busy in a meeting.

After three days, I brought a chair and waited outside his office.

Two hours later, Quincy called me in.

“Were you guarding the door for me? Do the sales department staff have that much free time?”

I took a deep breath. But just as I was about to speak, he waved me off.

“If you’re here to talk about that prize, don’t bother.”

I froze. “You mean you agree that the prize I won belongs to the company?”

Quincy’s expression darkened. “Don’t you have enough to live or eat? I pay you a base salary of 20,000 dollars a month. Have I treated you badly?

“Seth is right. If it weren’t for the company holding a year-end party, would you have won anything?”

He glared at me impatiently. “You don’t know how to be grateful, and now, you’re trying to take company property. Stop causing a scene!”

At that moment, my heart went completely cold.

When he first recruited me, he flew to my city for my interview and promised me the best pay in the industry.

Three years later, he had already forgotten his promise. It looked like I had earned too much for the company. He really thought that he was some kind of big shot.

In the end, I left without a word.

News that the company had taken my prize spread quickly.

My colleagues had put up with Seth for a long time, and they were talking about him behind his back.

“The company isn’t his personal kingdom. He’s acting all high and mighty just because he’s the vice president!”

“Ever since he arrived, I haven’t had a single peaceful day! Bathroom breaks are timed, I have to put down deposits for office supplies, and I get fined 20 dollars if personal calls go over thirty seconds. I’ve had enough!”

“Work is stressful enough, and we have to watch him act like a petty boss every day. In reality, he’s just a lapdog before Mr. Langley!”

Juliet and Zeke secretly set up a group to oppose him. Within an hour, more than twenty people joined.

They refused Seth’s demands in every way. They took turns slacking off in the bathroom, deliberately delayed his expense reports, took his pens, and withheld deposits.

Seth realized that they were acting on my behalf and flew into a rage.

He singled out Juliet and Zeke at the weekly meeting and threatened them privately. Anyone who dared to oppose him or go against the company for my sake would be fired.

After that, everyone in the office, except for Juliet and Zeke, began avoiding me. It was as if I was filthy, and I could taint anyone who got close.

Juliet stomped her foot in fury. “Ruby, you’ve been way too nice to them! They’re so ungrateful!”

I shook my head and held her back.

I did not care about the 500,000 dollars. There was no reason to involve innocent people just to vent my anger.

Not wanting to stay in a company like this any longer, I wrote my resignation letter.

While picking up a package at the front desk, I passed by Seth’s office. The door was slightly open, and I could hear his loud, unabashed laughter.

“This year’s party turned out great. Not only did the company save a lot of money, but we also got a free car!

“Her salary’s too high. We need to lower it.” He chuckled sinisterly.

“I was too impulsive back then. I gave her such a high salary without thinking!”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Langley. Leave it to me. I promise that we’ll have her completely under control in less than a month!”