Chapter 1

New Year's Day is around the corner. Merry decorations and colorful lights were hung all over the industrial park.

It wasn't even 6:00 pm yet, but the factory floor was already empty. Everyone had gotten out of work early to prepare for the celebrations.

However, the lights in my office shone brightly.

Our company's biggest client, Keyring Global, had suddenly wound down. They had yet to pay us for a major outstanding invoice.

James Day, the Chief Financial Officer, and I had been tallying accounts for three nights. Sadly, we still hadn't managed to resolve the company's current predicament.

He advised me earnestly, "Ms. Sarandon, we have limited cash on hand right now. We can barely scrape together this year's year-end bonuses. A company-wide salary raise is out of the question.

"After the New Year's holiday, Keyring's bankruptcy liquidation will be finalized. When we recover the receivables, it won't be too late to adjust salaries by then."

I leaned back in my chair in silence. A year ago, my parents had forced me to take over the company. At that time, the factory was already operating at a loss. Now, things had only gotten worse.

I said, "Send out an apology email to all staff. This year, every employee will receive a 20-dollar raise. My parents passed down the unspoken rule of giving a mandatory annual raise each year. I can't just break that streak."

As soon as we sent out the apology, the employees started making a fuss.

Ingrid Little, who had just joined our company through our college recruitment drive this year, went around the factory asking questions.

She said scornfully, "This company is so rich, but they're only giving us a 20-dollar raise. Aren't they embarrassed about themselves? My college classmates all got raises of over a thousand dollars. Now, I'm too ashamed to even attend class reunions."

Her mentor, Bernard Cruz, couldn't stand it anymore and quietly rebutted, "But we have really high year-end bonuses. Besides, the company has had a really tough year."

Ingrid let out a light scoff and retorted in an exaggerated tone, "Mr. Cruz, you're a good worker with strong abilities, but you belittle your worth. Do you seriously believe the company's explanation? You've probably been here too long. Out there, engineers like you are in high demand!"

After saying that, she playfully stuck out her tongue and spoke in a coquettish voice like she was trying to be cute.

She said, "As punishment, you have to wake up early every day and say 'I love myself' three times in the mirror. Before going to bed, shout 'I am the best' ten times."

Bernard didn't understand her. He scratched his head awkwardly and said nothing more.

Just then, a longtime employee, Stuart Hunt, joined in their conversation with a meaningful tone.

He said, "You're new, so you wouldn't know. This is the first year that Ms. Hailey has taken over. She's trying to establish authority over us. She's still young, and she's definitely not as kind-hearted as her parents."

Ingrid's interest was piqued. She pushed her chair over to sit beside Stuart.

"Mr. Hunt, you've been with the company for over 20 years. You definitely know more than I do. Please, tell me more."

Stuart lowered his voice and went on, "Based on this year's output, the company should be making a profit. But Ms. Hailey has just taken over, so what she cares about is net profit. Otherwise, how could she secure her position?

"Old employees like us stay because we have developed feelings for the company. We can only put up with such a meager raise. If her parents were still in charge, they would never let her mess around like this.

"Guess she isn't fond of old codgers like us. I pity you young ones, though. You're dragged down along with us."

After hearing this, Ingrid's eyes darted around shrewdly, and an idea formed in her mind.

"Don't worry, Mr. Hunt. Heartless capitalists are no match for honest, ordinary folks like us. I have a way to make Ms. Hailey back down."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and rapidly typed away.

She wrote, "How shocking! Capitalist boss gaslights employee by giving a raise of only 20 dollars! Tens of thousands of veteran employees are disgusted with such treatment!"

She even attached a screenshot of the apology email below.

After sending it, she waved her phone at Stuart smugly. "Just watch, Mr. Hunt. Today, I'll let the internet judge Ms. Hailey and teach her a lesson she'll never forget!"