Chapter 4

The next morning, the company's main conference room was packed.

The air buzzed with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation.

This didn't feel like a crisis management meeting—it felt like a loot distribution ceremony.

Dylan and Ryan sat in the front row, surrounded by a cluster of young colleagues.

Ryan was talking animatedly, spittle flying: "I told you, Xavier backs down when pushed! As long as we unite and make enough noise, he'll definitely cave!"

Dylan looked even more pleased, even secretly starting a live stream on his phone.

The stream title was especially provocative: "Guys, witness young people reforming the workplace! Watch us take back our benefits from the boss!"

At exactly 9 AM, I walked into the conference room on time.

Every eye instantly locked onto me—gloating, spectating, anticipating.

I walked to the front and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry."

The room erupted in chaos, then burst into enthusiastic applause.

Dylan's live stream instantly filled with comments: "The boss apologized!" "Way to go, young people!"

I straightened up and surveyed the smug faces below.

"Because of my personal stubbornness and outdated thinking, I ignored everyone's emphasis on personal time and caused tremendous trouble for all of you. I sincerely apologize here."

The applause grew even more enthusiastic.

Ryan even stood up to lead a cheer: "Good on you for admitting your mistake!"

Dylan smugly pointed his live stream camera at me like I was his trophy.

I waited for the applause to gradually fade, then shifted tone.

"To completely return freedom and choice to everyone, after careful consideration all night, I've decided to make a revolutionary adjustment to this year's team-building plan."

Everyone held their breath, eyes filled with greedy anticipation.

I looked at them and announced my decision word by word.

"First, effective immediately, the company will completely cancel the collective travel team-building tradition that has continued since our founding."

The conference room instantly erupted in cheers.

I ignored their reaction and continued with the second decision.

"Second, to compensate everyone and support your independent travel, the company will instead distribute a $500 personal travel stipend to each current employee."

"This expresses our highest respect for freedom!"

As my words fell, the room went dead silent.

Dylan's live-streaming phone clattered to the floor, screen shattering.

From a $30,000-per-person luxury Maldives trip to a $500 stipend—a cliff-drop change.

The massive gap completely crashed their brains.

I added expressionlessly: "This is the precious freedom you fought so hard for, even at the cost of damaging the company's reputation. Now, you're free."

I connected my phone to the projector.

On screen appeared the real-time stock price chart of our parent company—a cliff-diving green line, shocking to behold.

Beside it were pop-ups from major financial news outlets.

"Affected by mandatory team-building controversy, company culture questioned, stock price plummets 15% at opening!"

Everyone's expressions rapidly shifted from shock and disbelief to undisguised panic and despair.

Their rice bowls were about to be smashed by their own hands.

Dylan was the first to jump up, voice shrill and piercing.

"Wasn't the team-building budget $30,000? Why did the travel stipend become $500? That's so unfair!"

I looked at him coldly.

"You used public opinion to threaten the company's survival, causing the stock price to crash and the company to face financial strain. This is the consequence of your foolish actions."

My gaze swept across every panicked face below.

"Half a day and tens of millions in market value evaporated. The Board of Directors demands that I eliminate the virus that triggered this crisis within 24 hours. Otherwise, to cut costs and stabilize stock prices, the company will immediately implement a 30% layoff plan."

I paused, watching their ashen faces.

"Now, tell me—who is that virus?"