Chapter 5

Sure enough, half an hour later, Derek emerged from Mr. Stone's office like a triumphant rooster.

He then announced an urgent company-wide meeting, requiring full attendance.

I happened to be at the front desk picking up a supplier invoice delivery and missed the message.

When I rushed in, everyone's eyes turned to me.

Before Mr. Stone could speak, Derek launched into a tirade.

"Mr. Stone, look! She usually neglects the R&D department's work, but now she's even late for your meeting, dragging her feet for half an hour!"

"The company's preferential policies for female employees, she's just exploiting them to slack off!"

Mr. Stone toyed with his bead bracelet, his brows furrowed.

"Ava Stone, is it?"

His slightly angered voice was very low. I didn't answer.

"Why does buying anything for the R&D department become so complicated as soon as it goes through you?"

"Our ongoing projects are stalled because we can't get the materials! Our engineers are about to quit because they're not getting their project bonuses!"

"The market is only so big; every day you delay gives our competitors another advantage!"

He slammed his bracelet onto the table, beads scattering and clattering onto the floor.

The sound was deafening.

"The company pays everyone for eight hours a day. I haven't shortchanged anyone a single penny in all these years, have I?"

"Are we just going to let the market share our frontline employees fought so hard to win be handed over to others because of some internal 'procedures' or 'budgets'?"

"Are you all elementary school kids fresh out of school? Do I have to emphasize something this basic?"

He didn't mention me by name once, but every word was aimed at me.

Across the room, Derek knelt reverently, picking up the beads, a look of vengeful triumph in his eyes as he glanced my way.

Suddenly, I found it utterly meaningless.

A company where everyone's decisions were driven by their own pockets had truly rotted to this extent.

The "frontline engineers" he claimed were working themselves to death for project bonuses had long since hollowed out the company like parasites.

And I, who upheld my principles, was being cursed out.

Fine.

I sighed softly, answering calmly.

"Understood, Mr. Stone. I know what to do."

My apparent obedience greatly pleased him. He softened his tone.

"It's good for young people to be driven, but you should learn from Derek in the future and pay more attention to tact in your dealings."

I nodded numbly, turning to leave.

This long-planned drama was finally about to conclude with my silent endurance.

But then, Derek called out to me.

"Wait! Based on the negative impact you've caused us, I demand you apologize to our team publicly!"

"Apologize?"

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.

But then I saw Mr. Stone nod in silent agreement.

The office instantly erupted in chatter. Scornful and mocking voices almost drowned me out.

The people who bullied me, isolated me, insulted me, and spread malicious rumors about me now wanted *me* to apologize to *them*.

I clenched my hands tightly, forcing myself to calm down.

Seeing that I remained unmoving, Derek feigned extreme distress.

"Mr. Stone, just because I don't want to be her kid's dad, she's trying to sabotage me like this? Is it too much to ask her for an apology?"

"I'm only being lenient because I feel sorry for her. An apology would be enough, but look at her attitude."

"I'm putting it out there right now: she *must* apologize, or either she goes, or I go!"

In the stalemate, I calmly pulled out the resignation letter I'd prepared long ago.