Chapter 3

Overnight, my company went from being the coveted dream workplace everyone envied to the hated sweatshop of the internet.

Our company name, my face—everything had been dug up and exposed. Abusive messages and harassing calls flooded my phone, making it buzz vigorously on my desk.

"Cold‑blooded corporate leech. I hope your company goes under tomorrow."

"Exploit your workers all you want! I've already filed a complaint with labor enforcement."

Exhaustion etched deep circles under the HR director's eyes as he set a crisis PR plan in front of me.

"Mr. Shaw, we need to respond immediately. Release the nutritionist's credentials and the full weekly menu. Let's clear things up!" he urged.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and looked at him.

"If we respond now, it won't come across as reasonable or calm. It'll just seem like we're making excuses. The public isn't looking for the truth. They just want something for nothing."

The HR director froze. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

When emotion overpowered reason, the truth carried no weight.

I realized I had been wrong. I had believed that honesty alone would earn trust. When I refreshed the company's internal anonymous forum, a newly pinned thread shot straight to the top, carried by a flood of likes.

I knew without a doubt it came from someone on the inside.

"Stop defending him. I work here. That so-called top-tier nutritionist is nothing more than the boss's unqualified relative from some rural town.

"They cover cheap ingredients with greasy, salty meat. Who takes the blame if someone ends up sick?"

My mind buzzed as I stared at the post. It wasn't anger I felt, but a deep, soul-weary fatigue and disgust.

I could even guess who had typed it—perhaps the employee who had thanked me just last week. The post struck like a boulder, crushing the last bit of hope and turning all goodwill into betrayal. Beneath it, waves of self-proclaimed employees chimed in.

Flashbacks of those early celebrations at a countryside inn filled my mind, when every face had glowed with genuine happiness.

I asked myself if I had ever denied any teammate their fair share of benefits. I hadn't, and in return, I received betrayal on a grand scale. They took my generosity for granted and betrayed me over the smallest advantage.

Every ounce of dignity I had painstakingly upheld now felt like a hollow joke.

The HR director pressed, "Mr. Shaw, if we don't act now, our partners and investors will be on the phone non-stop!"

I waved him off, pushing the plan aside.

"No need," I said calmly. "Prepare a new notice."

I stood up and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window. Below, a handful of media vans were already parked.

I let out a bitter laugh. I hadn't lost to Lindsey. I had lost to my own foolish trust.

From today on, I would be just a businessman, concerned only with profit, not feelings. I picked up my phone and personally drafted a company-wide email.

"Attention, everyone! Following employee feedback and to better support healthy eating, the cafeteria meal budget will be reduced from 150 dollars to 20 dollars starting today. Only light, healthy meals will be served. Enjoy your meal!"

After hitting send, I called my assistant's direct line.

"Tell all department directors to be in the main conference room tomorrow at 9:00 am sharp for a meeting to finalize this year's company benefits plan."

On the other end, my assistant hesitated. "Mr. Shaw, are we going to compromise with them?"

"No," I said, staring out at the media waiting below. "It's time they paid for their own greed."