Lahat ng Kabanata ng Excuse Me, Where Has My Bonus Gone?: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Peter's expression instantly darkened, and the smile froze on his face."Soren, what do you mean by that?" He slammed the plaque heavily onto the table."The company is going through such tough times. As a senior employee and the top performer, not only do you fail to show any consideration for the company, but you also make a scene at the annual meeting?""Tough times?" I pointed at his wrist. "Mr. Hurley, did you buy this watch to help you weather the tough times too?"Peter instinctively retracted his hand, then grew furious with embarrassment. "That's my personal money! What does it have to do with you?""That's your business. Meanwhile, my commission is written in black and white in the contract. It's the money you owe me."I looked at him coldly. "The contract stipulates that settlement will be made at the end of the year. Are you trying to renege?"Peter stood up abruptly and pointed at me. "Soren! Watch your tone!"What contract? The company has the final say on this! I

In the reception area, Lily was slacking off, watching a show on her phone. When the elevator doors opened, she instinctively said, "Welcome to—"That was when she saw me, as well as Gary and the security guard behind me."S-Soren? What are you doing back here?"Her gaze fell on my flip-flops.She continued, "Mr. Hurley said… said you're not allowed in the company…""I'm not here for the company." I smiled, walked past the reception desk, and headed straight for the office area. "I'm here to inspect my property."…In the office, everyone was busy—or at least pretending to be busy.Curtis was standing by the door of Peter's office, holding some files. He was eagerly nodding.When he saw me, he was stunned for a moment, then started shouting, "Soren? You had the nerve to come back?"Security! Where the hell is security? How could they let just anyone in?"His yell drew everyone's attention over to us.Upon hearing the commotion, Peter emerged from his office. When he saw h

I looked down at Peter, whose face was etched with regret."You're begging me?" I laughed. "Mr. Hurley, didn't you say yesterday you wanted me to kneel down, pick up that plaque of yours, and wipe it clean?"Peter's body stiffened at those words.My gaze shifted to the trash bin by the meeting room door. "You want me to give you a chance? It's not impossible."Peter's eyes instantly lit up. "Tell me! Tell me whatever you want! I'll walk through fire if I have to!""It's nothing that complicated." I pointed at the trash bin. "Eat the 'highest honor' you gave me yesterday.""Eat… Eat it?" Peter's expression froze.He looked at where I pointed, and he blanched.The plaque had been sitting in the trash since yesterday. It was stained with coffee spills and food scraps, emitting a rotten smell."M-Mr. Neal, you… you must be joking…" Peter said, his voice trembling uncontrollably."I'm not joking." My expression didn't change at all. "Eat it, and I'll consider giving you a one-day

I explained, "It was to test if you were worth collaborating with."When it comes to business, my dad likes to judge someone's character first. He sent me here just to see how much a small business owner, who built his business on end-market sales, could uphold their integrity in the face of profit."Had you just given me the 20,000 dollars yesterday, the vice president of Evercrest would've personally led the team over to sign a ten-year strategic partnership with you—one that was worth a billion dollars."A billion dollars? Those words made everyone gasp.Peter's eyes immediately turned bloodshot with rage. He stared at me, his face twisted with fury."This was supposed to be your lucky break. Unfortunately, you failed to grasp it."I looked at him and continued in a calm tone, "For the sake of 20,000 dollars, you not only offended me, but also the entire Evercrest Group."Mr. Hurley, would you like to take a guess when Evercrest Group's legal department will send the breach-o

"Has everything been taken care of?" I asked."Yes, Mr. Neal. The lawsuit documents have been filed. The court's asset freeze order will be issued within half an hour. Peter won't be able to escape," Scott replied without hesitation.I nodded and stepped into the elevator, the doors slowly closing.In the final moment before the doors sealed shut, I saw Peter being dragged up from the floor like a dead man.His gaze pierced through the crowd as he looked at me with despair. His mouth moved wordlessly, as if he was cursing yet also begging me.As for Curtis, his loyal lapdog, he had long since disappeared without a trace.I heard he was the first to sneak away like a coward when the security guard started clearing the place out.Of course, when times got tough, the rest would bail.The elevator descended smoothly. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, at my T-shirt and flip-flops.It was time to say goodbye to this chapter of my life.…A week later, in the Neal residence,