All Chapters of When a Stingy Raise Turns into a Corporate Funeral: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

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

For two consecutive days, the post remained at peak popularity. Dennis was starting to panic.He said, "Ms. Sarandon, the original poster added a pinned update yesterday. Shouldn't we explain things as soon as possible?"I opened my phone, and sure enough, there was an update."I have confronted my boss head-on, but she sure is stubborn. An insignificant employee like me is powerless against the one calling the shots. I'm going to quit and leave."It was accompanied by a teary, aggrieved emoji.In the comments, many people offered words of comfort. Of course, there were also plenty of insults directed at me."Losing you is their loss. Wishing you a bright future, brave one.""What a heartless and unscrupulous boss! They won't even let their employees have a small share of what they deserve while they rake up all the money."I rubbed my temples in frustration. We must not keep Ingrid around any longer.I instructed, "First, deal with the internal problem. I assume you already k

After the assembly, a cloud of gloom hung over the company. Most people were not in the mood to work. They just spent their days feeling anxious and uncertain about the future.I, on the other hand, felt as if a massive burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I hadn't been this relaxed in a long while.I submitted my enrollment application to the art faculty at the University of Owlridge. With my previous portfolio, I was very confident that they would accept me.But before I left, there was still one important matter to handle.I looked at the uneasy Ingrid in front of me and remained silent for a long time. She fidgeted with her fingers nervously and kept her head down, not daring to meet my eyes. Her attitude now was starkly different from the arrogance she had shown before.Over the past few days, I had people compile a list of all her violations of the company's code of conduct since she joined. There were records of every instance of her misconduct over the past year printe

I composed myself and strode forward to greet Michael. "Welcome to our humble company, Mr. Quinlan. I apologize for not receiving you properly. I was handling some internal matters. Please forgive the spectacle."Michael seemed amused as he responded, "Internal matters? Your company's family culture does make me envious, but what just happened seems to go beyond that."He then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "You treat them like family, but it doesn't seem like they appreciate it."I casually stepped back to put some distance between us while adopting a distant, impersonal expression. "You're overthinking it, Mr. Quinlan. I will handle everything impartially, and it won't affect your acquisition of my company."Michael didn't seem to mind. He straightened up and said, "Then you don't mind if I stay and watch the show? Don't worry. I won't interfere."I gestured for him to do as he pleased and paid no further attention to his group.Ignoring the probing looks from the emplo

At the airport cafe, Michael sat across from me, relaxed and completely at ease. Still, I didn't dare let my guard down.In just a few short days, I had already gotten a taste of his methods.I had heard about the verdict made in Ingrid's case. She was required to compensate the company seven million dollars for reputational damages. Not only that, her social media accounts had been permanently banned, and her post was now flooded with comments cursing her.She didn't get to have any peace back at home either. Former colleagues constantly harassed her. They would splash paint on the walls and throw eggs at her door.Every time she went out, people pointed at her and gossiped about her. Once, she was even struck from behind with a blunt object. At the moment, she was still lying in the hospital.Stuart had it even worse. Thanks to the efforts of Lumina International's professional legal team, he was ordered by the court to return 45 million dollars in illegal gains and sentenced to