Chapter 2

The post kept getting more and more comments. Among the crowded threads, a familiar cartoon avatar caught my eye.

"Bestie, you've really got it rough. What normal company operates like this? This is straight-up exploitation. Here's a tip. If you're fed up, keep an eye out for violations at your company and report them. It works every time."

A second later, the original poster replied, "I was thinking the same thing, bestie! I'm already working on it and will give you all an update when there's progress."

My chest heaved with rage when I read that. I had always treated them well, so I never thought that they would have such twisted thoughts.

Alright, then. Since this was how it was, they should forget about receiving anything else!

I canceled the monthly subsidies and bonuses before instructing Jacob to pull the free drinks and lunches from the office. The moment the news went out, that person posted again.

"My dumb boss has seriously lost it. Not only did he suddenly start performance evaluations and ban us from bringing our pets to the office, but now even the free drinks and lunches are gone.

"Does that mean I have to bring my own food now? If it does, I'd have to get up early to cook before rushing to work. Is he trying to push me to my breaking point?"

Only a few responses had come in so far.

"OP, are you talking yourself in circles? If I'm not mistaken, you were just complaining in your last post that your company doesn't do performance evaluations.

"Now that there are evaluations, you're complaining about it. So basically, your boss can't do anything right in your book, is that it? Do you think the company is yours or something? Do you expect your boss to just give you free money?"

"The OP is a real piece of work. They really are something."

This post had more reasonable people. All of them criticized the original poster. That was until, just like before, I came across that familiar avatar again. The tone was as encouraging as ever. "Bestie, don't endure such treatment. Just quit!"

The original poster replied, "I'll wait for now. It's hard to find a job right now. I'll quit once I find one."

The other person replied, "You've got to believe in your abilities. With your skills, plenty of companies would want you. There's just no way you can't find one.

"Honestly, unless a company offers you an annual salary of a few hundred thousand dollars, don't go. Anything less would be a waste of your talent."

The original poster remarked, "You think so too? I feel the same way. I joined shortly after the company was founded. I'm practically a founding member at this point. And yet my salary hasn't changed at all. You'll see—I'll definitely make him give me a raise this time. If he doesn't, I'll quit!"

Just as I read this, there was a knock on my door. It was Joanna Braun from the design department.

She walked in before saying, "Mr. Pearson, I'd like to talk to you about something."

After being all fidgety and hesitant, she finally said, "Well… It's just that I've been with the company for quite a while now.

"The employees who joined at the same time as me have all gotten raises, but my salary is still about the same as before. Could you give me a raise too?"

I froze, remembering the post I had just read. Could it be that Joanna was the original poster?

Joanna was part of the first batch of employees I hired after starting the company.

As her performance wasn't up to standard, I had originally planned to fire her back then. However, she pleaded with me, saying she was poor, couldn't find another job, and had no other source of income.

I felt bad for her. Considering the years she had been with us, I didn't fire her in the end. She continued to receive the salary of a senior employee.

I didn't expect that my kindness in letting her stay would be seen as exploitation. "The company hasn't been performing well lately, and cash flow is tight. We can't spare extra funds for raises."

She went pale upon hearing that. Looking a little embarrassed, she answered, "Alright."

Then, she turned and left.