Chapter 2

So in the face of interest, feelings really were worth nothing.

“What do you think, Mr. Anderson?” I asked, my tone calm.

Noah turned his head away from me.

“The evidence is right here. Ava, even if you’re my friend and one of the founding team members, rules are rules. Public and private must be kept separate. That’s the bottom line.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “Hand over the car keys for now. From here on, the vehicle will be managed by the administration. As for the costs Winnie calculated, Finance will verify them, and they’ll be deducted from your salary starting next month.”

A victorious smile spread across Winnie’s face.

“Mr. Anderson handled that well! I think Ms. Clark should also make a public self-criticism in front of the company.”

Noah glanced at me, hesitating briefly.

“That won’t be necessary. A company-wide email notice of criticism will do.”

A notice? Deduction? Taking the car?

I looked at that familiar face, yet it felt like I was staring at a stranger.

It was clearly my car.

However, I didn’t explain or slam the ownership documents onto the table.

Because by now I understood.

Winnie wanted to step on me to climb higher. Noah wanted to use this opportunity to fully take the car into the company.

Three years was enough time to create an illusion and for people to believe that something had always belonged to them.

Slowly, I stood up. Then I took the car keys out of my bag and placed them on the table.

The metal hit the surface with a crisp sound.

“The keys are here. I accept these decisions.”

I looked at Noah, the corner of my lips lifting slightly.

“I hope this car continues to bring the company good luck.”

Clearly, Noah hadn’t expected me to be this straightforward. He froze for a second, and then his expression visibly relaxed.

“Ava, it’s best that you handle it this way. I have my difficulties too.”

Winnie immediately grabbed the keys, clutching them tightly as if she were holding onto her future.

“If you’d cooperated earlier, this wouldn’t have been necessary. Why wait until I reported you?”

I looked at her, and all that remained in my heart was a trace of pity.

She didn’t understand the weight of that key.

Winnie thought she had gained power.

In reality, she had only lit the fuse.

This company will soon be finished.

…

Half an hour later, a company-wide notice quietly appeared in everyone’s system.

The title was especially eye-catching.

[Notice on Disciplinary Action Regarding Director Ava Clark’s Misuse of Company Vehicle.]

The body of the notice laid out my “violations” in full detail.

The long-term occupation of a high-end company reception vehicle for personal use, such as commuting and daily errands. It was a serious violation of company asset management policies, and a negative example to others…

I sat in my office, listening through the glass walls to the low murmurs spreading across the open workspace outside.

“I never would’ve guessed. Ms. Clark always acts so cold and aloof, but turns out she loves taking advantage.”

“That’s a luxury car. She drove it every day to pick up her kid. That’s pretty bold, if you ask me.”

“I think she’s treated the company like her own home for a while now. Even Mr. Anderson isn’t that casual.”

“This cleanup is great. Winnie really did something this time.”

I lifted my cup and took a sip of coffee. The bitterness spread in my mouth, but it couldn’t cover the coldness settling in my chest.

Suddenly, the office door was pushed open without a knock.

Winnie walked in, holding a report in her hand.

“Ms. Clark, Finance has finished the calculations.”

She tossed the document onto my desk. “Based on the past three years of usage records, you need to reimburse fuel, depreciation, and toll fees for a total of 128,000 dollars.”

She stood there, looking down at me from across the desk.

“Mr. Anderson has already signed off. You have three days to pay in full. If you don’t, it will be directly deducted from your year-end bonus and equity dividends.”