Home / Selling Big, Paid in Pennies / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Selling Big, Paid in Pennies: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I slammed my palm on the desk, heat flooding my chest. "Sasha! Who the hell do you think you are, cutting my commission?"Sasha Watson scoffed, lifted her coffee cup, and blew on it like she had all the time in the world. "I didn't cut your commission. Your commission is 50 cents."My head was ringing. I jabbed a finger at the performance chart hanging on the wall."I brought in 1.5 million dollars last month! It's written right there in black and white! How's my commission only 50 cents on that?"Sasha's voice shot up, completely drowning me out. "That isn't net profit! You think the company doesn't have costs? Do you have any idea how much we pay for rent, utilities, and instructor salaries?"You're just in sales. You don't know shit!"Blood rushed to my head, and my fingertips went numb. "Let me see the financial statements. I have every right to look at them!"With a sharp snap, Sasha slammed the ledger shut. She stood up, leaned in, and jabbed a finger so close it nearly hi

Chapter 2

The line on the other end went quiet for a few seconds before Joe finally spoke, his voice sharp with impatience."Cassian, your commission is only 50 cents. How are you getting 200 grand out of that?""Mr. Watson, you can't do that! My mom needs that 200 grand to stay alive—"Before I could finish, Sasha reached over and slapped the phone out of my hand. It hit the floor, and the screen shattered on impact.She rolled her eyes and toyed with her bright red nails as she snapped, "I told you it was only 50 cents! What are you freaking out about, you broke loser? You're so annoying!"It's not like your mom is going to make it anyway. Those 50 cents are already generous for all your years of work. And if you're really that desperate, I'll even toss in another dollar."You can buy her a roll or something, so she doesn't die on an empty stomach."My voice came out hoarse and raw. "Sasha, I dare you to say that again."She planted her hands on her hips and sneered. "I could say it a

Chapter 3

People around us gasped.Sasha shrieked, "You're lying! Uncle Joe would never beg some broke nobody like you!"I stepped forward until I was towering over her. "Want me to bring Mr. Watson in here and let him say it himself? He told me that if I joined this company, he'd pay every cent of my mom's medical bills."While he was on his knees for me, you were still playing in the dirt."I lifted the 50 cents and gave a short, bitter laugh. "My mom is waiting for surgery right now, and this is his idea of 'covering everything.' 50 cents."Sasha's face flushed red. She suddenly swung for my face. "I'll shut that filthy mouth of yours!"I caught her wrist in midair and slapped her hard across the cheek. The crack of it rang through the office.Sasha stumbled back, clutching her face, staring at me like she couldn't believe what had just happened.The entire office fell dead silent.Then I heard the sharp click of dress shoes at the door. Joe walked in. The moment he saw the red handp

Chapter 4

My words landed like a bombshell in the office."Ms. Watson got a 200 thousand dollar bonus?""What the hell is going on?"Every head in the room snapped toward Sasha. She went white, staring at Joe with panicked eyes, her lips trembling.Joe's face tightened. Panic flashed in his eyes, then he forced his voice steady and snapped,"Cassian, what are you talking about? This is slander!"I let out a cold, humorless laugh and pulled up the screenshot on my phone."Slander? You want me to throw the notification from the banking app up on the big screen so everyone can see it? The memo on that 200 grand spells it out. It literally says 'annual special bonus!'"Joe's eyes darted away, guilt all over his face. He opened his mouth like he wanted to speak, then shut it again.I didn't let up. "You took money that could've saved a life and handed it to your niece as a 'special bonus'? Mr. Watson, that's some world-class accounting right there!"The panic drained from his face almost ins

Chapter 5

The coworkers around us practically burst into frantic whispers."Oh my God, that's Zane Rimmer! He's one of the biggest players in the entire industry.""Wait, what did he just say? Sales director? Partner?""So who even is Cassian? If Pinnacle Tutoring is trying to poach him, he must be a big deal.""Right? He's impressive.""So Cassian wasn't lying? Mr. Watson actually begged him to join our company?"Zane met my eyes, his gaze steady and reassuring. His voice stayed gentle. "Cassian, your mom's surgery comes first. I already had 200 grand wired to your account. Take care of the hospital bills before anything else."My chest warmed and my nose pricked. My voice was barely above a whisper. "Mr. Rimmer, thank you for the money. I..."Zane just waved it off, his tone easy. "Hey, you're being way too polite. This is nothing. Someone like you is more than worth it. Just take it as me helping out a bit. From now on, you're family to me."You don't have to be so formal with me."

Chapter 6

The murmur in the office blew up into full-on chatter the second the words left my mouth."Seriously? Ms. Watson got a 200 grand bonus?""No wonder she suddenly showed up with that new designer bag last week. That thing has to be, what, five figures at least!""I was wondering why she kept taking time off to go look at cars. So the bonus already hit her account.""We bust our asses and maybe clear ten grand in commission a month. She spends all day slacking off and walks away with 200 grand? That's just dirty!""For real. Cassian pulled in 1.5 million dollars in sales and barely saw a dime. Why does she get 200 grand?"The coworkers who had been grinding themselves into the ground for a pretty average paycheck were all wearing the same pissed-off look now.Whatever laid-back mood there'd been in the office was gone. People were starting to seethe at how unfair it all was.Joe could feel things slipping out of his control. He hurried forward, cold sweat gathering at his hairline

Chapter 7

At the hospital billing desk, I finally handed over the 200 grand for Mom's surgery deposit. When the receipt slid out of the printer, the knot in my chest eased a little.Back in the hospital room, Mom's pale face was tight with worry. "Cass, the money… Did you get all of it? You didn't go asking people for help again, did you?"Her fingers tightened weakly around my hand.I bent down, tucked the blanket in around her, and softened my voice. "Mom, it's okay. I already paid for it. It's bonuses and commission from my job, all aboveboard."You just focus on resting and getting ready for surgery. Let me worry about the money. Dr. Lane said the odds are really good. Once it's done, you're going to start getting better."Tears pooled in Mom's cloudy eyes as she squeezed my hand. "Okay. I'll do what you say and get ready for the surgery. Cass, you've gone through so much because of me…"I gave her a reassuring smile. "It's nothing. As long as you get better, that's all that matters to

Chapter 8

I looked at Joe's phony expression and the flimsy little check in his hand, and a sharp laugh slipped out before I could stop it."Now you remember the numbers don't add up, Mr. Watson? A bit late for that. When Sasha was blowing that money on handbags and a new car, you didn't say you'd miscalculated."When she humiliated me in front of the whole office over 50 cents, you still didn't say you'd miscalculated."My gaze swept over Sasha, sprawled on the floor with her teeth clenched, and I let out a snort."You can keep your 200 grand. I don't need it. Mr. Rimmer already covered my mom's surgery. As for my commission, I'll take every cent you actually owe me."I pulled out my phone and dialed 911 without hesitating. "Let the police and the Department of Labor sort this out. I'm sure the law's on my side."The smile on Joe's face froze, and the color drained from his face in an instant. Sasha stopped wailing and just gaped at my screen in shock."Hello, 911? I'd like to report a c

Chapter 9

Cold sweat beaded on Joe's forehead as he forced a shaky smile that made him look as if he were about to cry."I'll cooperate. Of course, I'll cooperate. But, officer, this has to be some kind of misunderstanding. We can sort it out internally. Accounting must've messed up the numbers. It's just a small mix-up."The officer's voice left no room for argument. "We'll see if it's a misunderstanding after we've checked. Please take us to your finance department. We need to review the related accounts and supporting documents."Everyone in the office froze. A ripple of whispers spread through the room, drowning out the usual background noise.The official from the Department of Labor fixed Joe with a hard look. "Mr. Watson, you just said accounting messed up the numbers. In that case, I need you to turn over the correct financial records right now, especially anything involving Mr. Golding."His gaze shifted to Sasha. "And the paperwork for Ms. Watson's bonus."Joe was drenched in col

Chapter 10

The officers brought Joe and Sasha back to the station for questioning.Because I was the one who called it in and their main witness, they had me come down to the station as well to give a statement.In the station's interview room, Joe had lost his usual swagger. His hair was a mess, and his face had gone pale.Sasha was worse, sobbing until her eyes were red and swollen, her makeup smeared down her cheeks.When the officers stepped out of the room for a minute, Joe suddenly grabbed my arm, his voice shaking with desperation."Cassian, Cassian, I know I messed up. I lost it! For everything we've been through, can you put in your statement that you forgive me? I'll pay you 200 grand, no, 400! I'll pay you back double!"As long as you're willing to forgive me, we can fix this. Sasha's still so young. She can't end up with a record!"Sasha lurched toward me, too, begging so hard she was tripping over her words. "Cassian! I was wrong, Cassian. I never should've screamed at you, ne

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP