Chapter 2

I had just reached the elevator with my box when my phone started ringing like crazy.

It was Mr. Sterling, the big boss.

I swiped to answer, and before I could even speak, Mr. Sterling's angry voice crashed over me.

"Harper! Get back to your office right now!"

"Who gave you the nerve to storm out on your superior?"

I leaned against the cold elevator wall, my voice calm.

"Mr. Sterling, I think there might be some misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? Sharon just called me! She said you publicly defied her in the office, showed insubordination, and even incited other colleagues to quit!"

Hah.

Classic move. The one in the wrong always points the finger first.

I could practically hear her embellishing the story on the phone.

"Mr. Sterling, I was just hungry from working late and ate a bag of spicy chips."

"Sharon said she was going to deduct my $200,000 commission this month."

"I figured, since company rules are so strict, it's better if I don't cause any more trouble for the company. Resigning seems like the better option."

Mr. Sterling on the other end of the line fell silent.

A $200,000 commission wasn't a small sum.

It meant I had secured a multi-million dollar deal for the company.

Mr. Sterling was a businessman; he understood the stakes better than anyone.

After a few seconds, his tone softened.

"Harper, it's normal for young people to have a bit of a temper. Sharon can be a bit direct, but she's always looking out for the company's best interest."

"Just come back, and we can sort everything out in person."

"Looking out for the company's best interest means arbitrarily withholding an employee's legitimate earnings?"

I calmly retorted.

Mr. Sterling was clearly taken aback again.

"Alright, just calm down. I promise, you'll get every cent of that commission."

"Come back now, and I'll make Sharon apologize to you."

Make Sharon apologize to me?

It sounded sincere.

But I knew this type of power play too well.

Today, he might make Sharon apologize to appease me.

Tomorrow, he'd find ways to make my life hell to protect Sharon.

After all, Sharon was his wife's niece. A nepotism baby.

And I was just a tool to generate profit for him.

"No need, Mr. Sterling."

"My decision is made."

"I'll send my resignation letter to your email."

With that, I hung up the phone.

With a 'ding,' the elevator doors opened.

I stepped inside with my box.

The elevator doors slowly closed, reflecting my calm, unwavering face.

Back in my apartment, I put down my things and took a hot shower.

Then, I ordered a deluxe spicy noodle soup takeout.

With extra spicy chips, of course.

My phone had dozens of missed calls – from Mr. Sterling, Sharon, and other colleagues.

My SnapChat was blowing up.

Tiffany was in the department group chat, indignantly accusing me:

"She was just told off a little bit, did she have to make such a scene?"

"Getting the highest commission in the company and still being so thin-skinned, it's unbelievable."

"Sharon is really unlucky to have to deal with such a difficult person."

A few other colleagues who were close to Sharon quickly chimed in with their agreement.

Meanwhile, my friends and those I usually got along with chose to remain silent.

I looked at the chat history, a cold smirk playing on my lips.

This was the corporate world.

No permanent friends, only permanent interests.

I didn't bother to defend myself in the group chat. I just quietly took a screenshot.

Then, I found our key client, Mr. Davies, on SnapChat, took a photo of my luxurious spicy noodle soup, and sent it to him.

With the caption: "Mr. Davies, finally some time to enjoy a proper meal."