Chapter 2

As soon as the words left her mouth, everyone burst into laughter.

The drunken male intern slapped my shoulder excitedly.

“You’re a true gentleman, Mr. Stone! A thousand gold pieces for a smile from the beauty!”

“Everyone, go wild! Pick the most expensive items! The manager is picking up the tab!”

My rage boiled over.

Without a word, I watched the group laugh wildly as they left, silently settling the bill.

“Issue invoices for all expenses. Print itemized receipts stamped with the hotel’s official seal.”

The waiter looked taken aback by my request.

However, he complied nonetheless.

The vacation ended early.

Back at the office, my first course of action was to tag every team-building participant in the company-wide group chat.

[Following internal review, this Baline trip cannot be considered legitimate team building. All incurred expenses must be covered by the employees themselves.

[The company advanced $700,000. After splitting the costs, each person owes $100,000. Please remit the funds to the company’s finance account before the end of the workday.

[The detailed expense list has been uploaded to the group album. Please verify.]

The group instantly erupted.

The interns, who had been basking in the glow of their dream trip and feeling like they had scored a huge bargain, were suddenly jolted back to reality.

[Mr. Stone, why do you need to take it this far?

[You’re not exactly strapped for cash. It’s just money that is going to be spent anyway. What’s wrong with sharing a little with us?]

Lilith was stirring up trouble in the group again.

This time, I did not let her get away with it. I fired back immediately.

[Are you a professional beggar? Why should I spend money on someone I don’t even know?

[This is a workplace, not a charity gala. I have no obligation to support anyone.

[You can stubbornly refuse to pay, but when the time comes, the legal department will start a case to recover it.]

Lilith was speechless.

She promptly posted a tearful status update.

[That nitpicky jerk can go to hell! He failed to sleep with me, and now, he’s demanding a refund? That’s $100,000. He’s got some nerve to demand that much!]

Her teammates silently liked the post.

As I surveyed the flood of vulgar comments, I sneered coldly.

I felt they should brace themselves for the storm.

The entire intern team went on strike.

Influenced by Lilith, they believed that there was safety in numbers.

If they forced me to compromise, none of them would have to pay the huge sum.

At the morning meeting on Monday, I waited for three hours.

After sending countless meeting reminders, I finally managed to gather everyone.

Lilith was the last to arrive.

She crossed her legs and applied makeup throughout with her earbuds in. She was utterly dismissive of my presence.

“Lilith, why hasn’t the merger case I assigned you last week been submitted?”

She clicked her tongue, jabbing her leg against the table.

“Mr. Stone, I have depression. I can’t handle stress.

“My condition was stable until yesterday. Something awful happened. I couldn’t sleep, let alone work.

“The capable should shoulder more. You’re talented. Handling a little bit of extra work is no big deal.”

“Exactly! We Gen Zers entered the workforce to be treated like royalty, not to slave ourselves to death for capitalists!

“You’re just a mere manager, yet you think you’re so important? Fire us all if you dare!”

Countless scornful glances landed on me.

I laughed bitterly.

These people surely did not think that I was begging them to come to work, did they?

I turned my gaze to another intern and said calmly, “Jack Smith, where’s your analysis report? You haven’t done it either?”

The guy I called out pouted defiantly. He unlocked his phone and began to binge-watch short videos.

“Mr. Stone, just give it up. Ms. Woods made it clear. We won’t resume work until you hand over the money and kneel to apologize.”

After surveying the room, I saw that they were determined to defy me.

I gave up pressing the issue. Instead, I retrieved the conference room surveillance footage and sent it to HR.

[Interns engaged in passive resistance, arriving late and leaving early, severely violating organizational discipline.

[Multiple warnings proved ineffective. I demand the dismissal of certain interns to serve as a deterrent.]

The morning meeting ended in dead silence.

With work piling up, I stayed late at the office for several days.

I also deducted all performance bonuses for the interns that month.

They despised me. They banded together and rallied around Lilith, calling her their savior.