Chapter 3

I wanted to see if Fred's pack of wolves could still howl when their cutthroat work culture collided with a tough landlord.

Peak Performance Media’s ceremony kicked off on December 29th at 10am.

The venue was in the company's large conference room. With over 100 people crowded inside, the atmosphere was stuffy and uncomfortable.

The bright red banner was glaringly striking.

[Wolf-Pack Team, Lean and Mean, Ready to Conquer 2026.]

Fred stood onstage, spitting as he spoke. "Everyone, yesterday we made a difficult decision. We laid off Malcolm Lewis to purify our team. Employees who leave work on time and are not dedicated are like cancer.

"Although there are rumors outside that our financial situation is bad and we can't afford your year-end bonus, I want to tell you all that those are all rumors."

Fred suddenly waved his hand, pointing at a pile of bright red gift boxes on the stage. "See those? They're the year-end gifts that the company prepared for everyone.

"As long as you sign this "Striver's Commitment Letter" today and voluntarily give up the weekends and overtime pay next year, everyone will get one."

The audience was grimly silent.

Alexis huddled in the corner, looking at the gifts, which contained two bags of peanuts and a bottle of generic cola.

This was their so-called New Year gift.

Standing in the front row, Jessica was decked out in a glaring red suit, looking like an overexcited flamingo.

She led the applause and screamed in a high-pitched voice, "Brilliant, Boss! Stick with Mr. Waller and next year you'll all be driving a new car! Everyone, let's hear some applause!"

The applause was sparse and anemic, as if everyone were too famished to clap.

Just then, the conference room door swung open.

"Quite a lively scene." I strode in, wearing a cheap sweatshirt with a backpack slung over my shoulders.

Behind me was the stern-looking George, followed by two rows of fully-armed security guards dressed in black.

The security guards stopped in the shadows by the entrance, so no one inside got a good look at them.

The conference room fell instantly silent as every gaze locked onto me.

"Malcolm?" Jessica was the first to react. She rushed over on her high heels, her expression shifting from sheer disbelief to thick mockery.

"How did you get in? Didn't your access card get deactivated?"

She looked me up and down before covering her mouth and bursting into laughter. "Oh, everyone, look. Isn't this the ex-employee who left with toilet paper yesterday?

"What's the matter? Did you sleep on it, realize you couldn't afford your rent, and are now having second thoughts? Are you back to beg the boss for another chance?"

Once she finished speaking, snickering was heard throughout the stifling conference room.

Hugh chimed in mockingly, "Malcolm, you young people are just too full of themselves. It's not exactly easy to find a job out there. Look at you. You hit a few walls and came crawling back, tail between your legs."

Standing on the platform, Fred looked at me with a taunting smirk. He picked up the microphone and spoke as if teasing a pet. "Oh, Jessica. Don't be so harsh. Since Malcolm's back, it means that he’s realized his mistake."

Fred strolled leisurely off the stage and came to a stop in front of me. Holding a glass of red wine, he looked condescendingly at me. "Malcolm, it's not impossible for you to return. After all, you're a senior employee here, and I'm not the type to leave a man with absolutely no way out."

He gestured toward a trash can in the corner and pointed to the peanut shells scattered all over the floor. "How about this? Clean all this up.

"Then, say this out loud three times in front of the entire company: 'I'm a man-child who can't handle the real world. I lack competitive drive and I'm grateful to Mr. Waller for giving me a job.'

"If you're sincere, I might make an exception and let you come back as a janitor. 2,500 dollars a month, with no benefits. What do you think? I'm being more than generous.”

The whole room burst out laughing.

Jessica laughed so hard she was shaking all over. "You're too kind, Boss! Even 2,500 dollars is more than he's worth. A loser like this wouldn't even be hired to sweep the streets! Hurry up, Malcolm. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank Mr. Waller. The broom's by the door; get to work!"

Humiliation.

Nothing but raw humiliation.