Chapter 4

Seeing me enter, Zachary's attitude was extremely humble.

"Mr. Sullivan, Secretary asked me to bring colleagues from the PR department to make arrangements. We'll definitely provide excellent hospitality tonight!"

I nodded slightly. Seeing several female colleagues from the PR department nearby, the unease in my heart settled down.

But when the servers brought out a table full of dishes, I was dumbstruck.

Zachary stood up with a big smile.

"Mr. Webb! Mr. Sullivan! You're always out dining for business, eating rich foods every time—what's the point?"

"Today, our PR department's Lily specially ordered stomach-friendly dishes for you!"

"Look at this—mini burgers, fries and chicken wings, and pizza! Every single dish is a viral internet favorite!"

"Chloe even specially went to get bubble tea! Everything is good for your health! You absolutely must eat more!"

Zachary acted as if he couldn't read the room at all. Completely ignoring the dark expressions on everyone's faces, he enthusiastically kept piling food onto the business partner's plate.

I frantically gave signals under the table until my hand cramped.

But the employees who were usually so perceptive all acted blind, desperately echoing Zachary's words.

Not until this very moment.

If I still couldn't see that they were doing this deliberately, then I really would be brain-damaged.

The business partners ate this meal with stiff expressions, then all left in fury.

The first thing I did when I returned to the company was personally write up termination notices and withhold all severance pay.

I knew Zachary wouldn't let this go easily, but I didn't expect him to move so quickly.

That very afternoon, that familiar Instagram account posted Zachary's video.

He cried pitifully, accusing the company on camera.

"I don't know what I did wrong, but during my time at work, I always gave my all. I finally helped the company secure a project, but all I got in return was a termination notice!"

"And! The company didn't even give half an explanation about the termination compensation!"

The live comment section exploded.

"Holy crap! Real-life employee exploitation? It's happening!"

"Which company is this? Dude, hurry up and expose them so we can be careful when job hunting!"

"Go to labor arbitration right away! Don't let these people take advantage of you!"

I almost couldn't stop myself from laughing in anger.

Just ten minutes ago, I'd received a text from the business partner saying the project was under review.

This guy screwed up my multi-million dollar contract, and now he's transformed into an exploited employee. Is that appropriate?

The next morning, as soon as I walked into my office, several veteran employees knocked on the door with troubled expressions.

The project department head opened with a devastating blow.

"Mr. Sullivan! I know the company's in trouble lately, but it can't be so bad that you have to withhold severance pay from a few employees, right?"

"Don't you know the company's been trending online now? We're famous!"

Business department manager Marcus nodded in agreement.

"Exactly! This morning alone I've received seven or eight project cancellation notices!"

"If this continues, our company... might really go bankrupt..."

I waved my hand, signaling them to leave, then clicked into the Instagram app again.

Zachary was still playing the victim on camera, looking pitiful.

"I'm not doing this for money, but for every single hardworking employee at Sullivan Corp!"

"I just joined and already received this kind of unfair treatment—what about those veteran employees who grew with the company?"

As soon as he said this, the livestream exploded with virtual gifts.

And these gift-sending IDs were all familiar to me.

It seemed...

Zachary had completely won over the company employees' hearts.

Thinking about how I'd done my utmost to consider the employees, always seeking benefits for them everywhere.

Now, just for these immediate gains, they so easily betrayed me. It felt so not worth it!

Perhaps I was too easygoing, which made them forget their place!

As for Zachary... the truth would come out very soon!