Chapter 2

Mira stood in the light, the color draining from her face instantly. When she spoke again, her voice was exceptionally cold.

"Henry, are you done with your performance?"

She stepped forward, her high heels thumping dully on the carpet.

"If you don't want to give out year-end bonuses, just say so. Using me as your shield, treating the whole company like fools?"

The crowd first showed slight confusion, then murmurs of sudden understanding, as if I really was just trying to avoid paying bonuses by deliberately making things difficult for our top salesperson.

Buzzing agreement immediately emerged from the crowd:

"Yeah, last year Marcus single-handedly achieved over half the department's performance. Anyone would deserve that award."

"You promised everyone bonuses based on performance, and now you're backing out?"

"Using your wife as a prize—that's just absurd. Clearly trying to humiliate Marcus..."

I swept my gaze across them. My eyes were like the flat of a blade, instantly cutting the murmurs silent.

But Marcus suddenly dropped to his knees with a "thud."

"Henry!"

His forehead pressed against the floor, a picture of complete pitifulness.

"If I messed up any deal or offended any client, just tell me! I'll accept any punishment, but please don't... don't joke about Mira!"

"If you don't want to give bonuses, I can go without—just please don't make things difficult for me."

"I have two elderly parents to support at home. Henry, I can't lose this job!"

Mira immediately chimed in, her voice rising:

"Henry, listen to him. Even your employee understands gratitude better than you. If you're afraid to pay out, fine—transfer the equity. I, Mira, will pay it. From today on, you don't deserve to sit in that position."

She turned to face the crowd.

"Everyone, whoever wants to work with me, come over here. Year-end bonuses—I'll double them."

The banquet hall first fell into deathly silence, then the sound of chairs scraping rose in waves.

Several young women from the marketing department stood up first.

The operations director hesitated for half a second, then kicked his chair back.

Even the usually laid-back old security guard sighed, removed his badge, and gently placed it on the table.

The crowd slowly gathered behind Mira.

I counted. Two-thirds.

The remaining third were the old guard from tech and supply chain. I was glad they could stand by my side without hesitation.

I lowered my head and smiled.

"Mira," I raised my hand and brushed nonexistent dust off my suit sleeve. "Are you trying to take over my company?"

A meaningful cold smile appeared at the corner of Mira's mouth. "Henry, someone as stingy as you, who doesn't appreciate employees' contributions at all—you just want to drain every last drop of value from them."

"You don't deserve to be the boss."

As soon as Mira finished speaking, scattered applause erupted.

"Mira's right!"

I looked coldly at the employees standing behind Mira and said disappointedly, "You really think I've treated you badly? Then who gave you those year-end bonuses you're holding right now?"

"So you're going to bite the hand that feeds you for this woman?"