Chapter 3

The next day at work, my boss called me into his office.

"Lily, have you met with anyone unusual recently?"

I was confused. As a low-level employee, who could I possibly meet?

But I answered honestly: "Just a few clients to discuss next quarter's collaboration."

My boss poured me a cup of water and gently reminded me: "Well... did they give you any gifts?"

I suddenly realized what he was getting at. In our line of work, improper relationships with clients were strictly forbidden.

Getting caught taking bribes would be career suicide.

I immediately stood up to defend myself: "Boss, all my client meetings are on camera. I can prove my innocence!"

Seeing how agitated I was, my boss quickly told me to sit down.

That's when I learned someone had anonymously reported me for taking bribes, even claiming my recent promotion involved some shady dealings.

The whistleblower seemed very familiar with my financial situation, specifically mentioning my $40,000 Mercedes.

"How could a low-level civil servant afford such an expensive car?"

"I have evidence of her accepting bribes. I hope the leadership will thoroughly investigate this bad apple."

The evidence was a blurry video taken in a hotel.

In the video, I was seen taking a delivery at a hotel room door. The packaging was from a luxury brand.

The whistleblower zoomed in on the packaging.

I watched the video a few times before remembering what had happened.

I was on a business trip in my aunt's city a while back. She was in a rush to catch a flight abroad, so she had someone deliver a gift to me.

That scarf is still hanging in my closet.

How did this turn into a bribery accusation?

Although I had evidence to clear my name, my boss decided to put me on leave for a while due to the bad optics.

"Why don't you use up your annual leave? Come back when this blows over."

"Don't overthink it. Just relax and maybe start trying for a baby."

My boss patted my shoulder, seeing how dejected I looked.

It sounded nice, but it was basically a temporary suspension. If I got pregnant during this time, I might as well not come back.

After working here for so long, I understood the office politics.

I felt utterly disheartened, both about my family and my career.

To make matters worse, Sophia was still stirring up trouble in the family group chat.

She shared a video about a college student being asked to pay for gas when riding in his uncle's car during the holidays.

The comments section was full of freeloaders supporting the student:

"I give my uncle a couple hundred when I ride with him, he won't take more than that."

"My uncle leaves me $10 for a haircut after Christmas."

"Make sure to tell your mom about this."

"I can totally relate, my sister would kill me for this."

But there were a few comments calling out the poster as a "freeloader".

...

Combined with the $50 she sent me earlier, it was clearly a dig at me as the "aunt" in this scenario.

In the family group chat, my mother-in-law was the first to attack: "What's this nonsense about paying to ride in your uncle's car? Where's the logic in that?"

My husband's aunt chimed in: "It's just a car ride, why be so petty? What, does the car not use gas when they're not in it?"

Sophia played the innocent victim: "Maybe it's because we ride with them too often and my sister-in-law is upset."

My mother-in-law immediately retorted: "Even if you rode with them every day, your sister-in-law has no right to complain. Are you not family anymore?"

They didn't mention me by name, but everyone knew they were talking about me.

I was beyond frustrated and typed out:

"So just because someone calls you 'aunt', they're entitled to free rides?"

"Freeloading and feeling righteous about it, what kind of upbringing is that?"

"When parents lack social graces, children learn by example."

I don't know the full context of that video, but judging by the poster's reaction, they had probably never offered to pay before.

In these situations, it's usually about the relationship between the older generation, not the kids.

The poster's mom and uncle/aunt likely don't have a great relationship.

Otherwise, why would the aunt give her nephew such a hard time?

From the aunt's perspective, I could understand her frustration.

Both the older and younger generations seemed to think she should be a free chauffeur, and asking for gas money made her the bad guy.

The kids were unhappy, the adults were clueless, and everyone felt entitled.

How many times can so-called family ties withstand this kind of strain?

Seeing me push back so hard, Sophia replied sarcastically: "Oh, having a car makes you so great? Now you're lecturing us on manners?"

"It's just a stolen car anyway, what are you so proud of?"

My eyes caught the words "stolen car" and something clicked in my mind.

I seized on her words and demanded: "What do you mean by that? What 'stolen car'?"

"My parents bought me this car as a wedding gift. Watch your mouth!"

Provoked by me, Sophia didn't hold back anymore and started ranting.

"Your parents are just ordinary workers, where did they get that kind of money?"

"You have an older brother, why would they buy you a car?"

"That car was obviously a gift from someone else. You must have done a lot of 'favors' to get it!"

Seeing her so brazenly admit to the accusations, I was furious.

To become a civil servant, I had locked myself at home for three solid months studying, barely leaving the house.

After getting the job, I worked diligently and cautiously, terrified of making any mistakes.

To double-check accounts, I practically lived at the office.

Among the new hires in my cohort, I worked the most overtime and was the only one without connections.

After six months, my performance spoke for itself and I was promoted without question.

All my financial transactions and personal interactions could withstand scrutiny.

Now just because I didn't want to be taken advantage of, she was trying to smear my reputation.

With this accusation, my record would be tarnished and I'd never be promoted again.

I was shaking with rage and lashed out: "My parents bought me a car because they love me. If your parents don't love you, take it up with them!"

"This year I'd rather wreck my car than give you freeloaders a ride."

"Get lost, moochers!"