Chapter 3

The door was pushed open, and a group of people flooded in. At the front were two men in uniforms. Their faces were stern, and their badges were clearly displayed.

"We're from the Federal Trade Commission, working with the Internal Revenue Service," one said. "We've received multiple verified reports indicating your company may be using high-value benefits for illegal fundraising and tax violations.

"You're required to cooperate fully and provide all financial records from the past three years, along with detailed bonus disbursement records and tax payment certificates."

My mind went black for a moment, but I forced myself to stay composed. "Understood. We'll gladly cooperate."

From that moment on, every company payment was frozen. That included scheduled bonuses and team-building expenses. The inspectors were led into the finance office. I stood there with cold hands and feet.

That same night, Maya suddenly dropped a video into the company group chat that was titled "I Was Scammed Out of a Million in Bonuses: A Victim's Story".

Trina replied almost instantly, "I knew it. Nothing this good just happens. Remember those colleagues who wanted to quit? Ms. Cooper kept them with double the perks.

"Looking back, it seems like they're trying to keep people from leaving so they won't have to deal with a financial gap."

Questions flooded the chat.

"Trina, is that true?"

She replied, "I've been cleaning here for years. I've basically seen everything."

Her words, though vague, successfully sparked many imaginations. Doubts started creeping in.

The next day, a group of younger employees gathered outside the HR office.

"Ms. Brown, it's not that we don't trust the company, but this investigation… Will the bonuses still be paid? Can we get something in writing?"

"Exactly. I have my mortgage due this month. I'm counting on this money. Even half now would help!"

And so, the HR director, Winona Brown, came to me, frazzled.

"Ms. Cooper, some employees have been talking privately. They're demanding half the bonuses now to calm everyone down, or they plan to resign together.

"Others are posting anonymously online, claiming that our revenue isn't as good as it looks, and that you're just moving money around."

The team I had built with pride was starting to crack.

Meanwhile, Maya's livestream was blowing up like never before. She had stopped sobbing and now titled it "Ongoing Coverage: Exposing the Boss Behind the Scam".

In front of the camera, she spoke with fierce confidence, like a warrior on a mission.

"Everyone, under my mom's guidance, the authorities are already investigating. The scammer's good days are over! I'm going to fight for every colleague who could be a victim!"

Gifts and virtual tips flew across the livestream, while the chat was a nonstop storm of curses aimed at me.

By the third day, Maya wasn't content with just shouting online. She and her mother, Adeline Miller, showed up outside our office building.

They held a cardboard sign they had made overnight, with bold, red words reading, "Scammer Exposed! Return My Daughter's Hard-Earned Money!"

Maya, on the other hand, live-streamed the whole farce, enthusiastically screaming into the camera, "Guys, I'm right outside the doors of this scam company! My mom and I demand answers today! Until there's a refund and an apology, we are not leaving!"

The security guards tried to block them, but they started throwing tantrums. The crowd grew. Their phones were raised like black barrels aimed straight at the company entrance.

I stood on the upper floor behind the glass, watching the absurd scene unfold.

Hansel stormed in with reddened eyes. "Ms. Cooper, let's just post the reports and proof everywhere! It's time we let everyone see the truth!"

I shook my head and handed him my phone. On the screen were the comments under the company's official clarification post.

"Anyone can fake these. Nice editing skills, by the way, boss."

"The IRS dropped by, and you're still trying to dodge the truth? We're not fools, okay?"

Honestly, no one wanted the truth. They wanted a target to vent their anger on. That said, the regulators wouldn't stand by and let them run wild.

On the fourth afternoon, I signed the last document in the investigation team's office. The team leader, who had been stern this whole time, closed the file and stood up with a hand outstretched.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Cooper. Your company's operations are fully compliant."

At last, I had the papers proving our innocence. But what did that matter?

The office still felt dead inside. The team I had built and the partners I had trusted all seemed fragile in the face of this farce.

Maya's livestream continued without pause. She and Adeline had set up small stools outside the building and were taking turns to be on camera. They transformed the street corner into a permanent broadcast spot.

Hansel stormed in with bloodshot eyes. "Ms. Cooper, are you just going to let this slide? Let them baselessly take a dump on all of us?"

I shook my head and walked straight toward their little livestream corner. As I stepped outside, passersby immediately pointed their phones at us.

"Hey, Ms. Cooper. Finally facing reality?"

Maya raised her chin, radiating arrogance. I ignored her and focused on the scrolling comments on her phone screen instead.

My voice was soft, but the microphone clipped to her collar carried it across the livestream and the crowd gathered outside.

"Everyone, regarding the recent online accusations against me and my company, GC Corporation, the joint investigation by the FTC and IRS has officially concluded this afternoon."

I held up the document stamped in bright red and paused it in front of the camera for a few seconds. "This is the final investigation report. All company operations are fully legal and compliant. The accusations are baseless."

A low murmur ran through the crowd. Maya's expression faltered, and Adeline immediately shouted, "How do we know this document hasn't been forged? It's a cover-up!"

I ignored her and continued, speaking straight to the camera and crowd.

"But due to the frozen funds and halted operations during the investigation, along with the nonstop online harassment and offline intimidation, our company has suffered irreversible damage—"

Maya seemed to sense what was coming and tried to cut in. "Stop playing the victim here!"

"So, I hereby announce," I continued, "effective immediately, GC Corporation is entering a full transfer process. All previously promised year-end bonuses, the Graceland team trip, and equity grants are officially canceled."