Chapter 1

My company worshiped "wolf culture."

If you wanted your year-end bonus, you had to put on a dog mask, get on a leash, and bark three times on stage.

For my son’s life-saving surgery, I swallowed my pride and did it.

But the very next day, a video of me barking went viral across TikTok, and I became the laughingstock of the internet—the "Ultimate Simp."

Looking at my boss’s fake, smiling face, I walked out and took a job at our biggest rival.

I really want to see how this company survives without me, their top closer.

Braden Cole held the microphone, his beer belly stretching his designer suit to its absolute limits.

"This year’s top closer—Liam!" he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "A hundred-thousand-dollar bonus, paid in cash right here, right now!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. My fingers were trembling.

My son, Leo, was scheduled for heart surgery next month. I needed exactly one hundred thousand dollars to cover our insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Just yesterday, Chloe told me that if I couldn't get the money, she was taking Leo and leaving me.

"But—" Braden dragged out the word.

The room went dead silent.

He waved his hand, and a hostess stepped up to the stage carrying a silver tray.

On it lay a cheap plastic dog mask and a heavy iron chain collar. The metal links clanked together loudly.

"Our corporate culture is all about hunger! Wolf mentality!"

Braden grinned, his gold tooth catching the stage lights.

"Liam, put this mask on. Let us clip the leash. Get up here on stage and give us three good barks. Do that, and the cash is yours."

"Mr. Cole, please..." My throat felt like sandpaper.

"What? Is a hundred grand not enough for you?" Braden patted the thick stacks of hundred-dollar bills. "If you don't want it, that's fine. I’ll just donate it to some charity."

Whispers broke out in the crowd.

"Just do it, Liam! It's a hundred grand!" someone yelled from the back.

"Yeah, man! It’s just three barks!"

"Liam, think of your kid’s surgery," Marcus whispered next to me. He was the only colleague who knew about my situation.

I stared at the black dog mask.

"Hurry up!" Braden tapped his knuckles on the table. "Everyone's time is valuable here."

Taking a deep breath, I stood up.

Walking down the aisle, I could hear my own heart hammering in my chest.

People were wolf-whistling. Some were already holding up their phones. I kept my eyes locked on the pile of cash on the stage.

My son was only five. He had a congenital heart defect, and the doctor said this month was our last window for the surgery.

I reached the stage.

Braden personally picked up the dog mask and shoved it over my head.

My vision was cut in half. Then, he clipped the cold iron chain around my neck.

"Hold the leash!" He shoved the other end of the chain into the hostess's hand.

The young girl’s face flushed bright red. She didn't dare look at me as she gave the chain a light tug.

The crowd burst into roaring laughter.

"Take a walk! Do a trick!" Chad was screaming from the front row.

The hostess pulled the chain gently, and I stumbled forward.

Standing in the center of the stage, the hot spotlights burned my face.

"Bark!" Braden shoved the mic right in front of my mouth.

"Woof." The first sound barely slipped out. It was barely a whisper.

"We can't hear you!" the crowd chanted in unison.

"Woof!" I roared it out.

"Not realistic enough!" Braden tapped the back of my leg with his shoe. "How does a loyal dog bark? Show some enthusiasm!"

For the third bark, I closed my eyes and screamed with every ounce of air in my lungs.

"WOOF!!!"

The sound echoed through the entire venue, followed instantly by wild laughter, clapping, and mocking whistles.

Braden patted my shoulder and turned to the crowd.

"You see this? This is loyalty! For this company, we do whatever it takes!"

He grabbed the stacks of cash and slammed them into my chest. "Take it! You earned it!"

I held the money tight. Ten heavy stacks. Inside the plastic mask, sweat was pouring down my face.

When I walked off the stage, the chain was still hanging from my neck. Braden had forgotten to take it off. I ripped it off myself and tore the mask from my face. My hair was soaking wet.

I ran straight into the restroom.

I slammed the door and locked it. Leaning against the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes bloodshot.

Footsteps echoed outside, and I heard voices.

"Did you see that? The golden boy actually barked."

"For a hundred grand? I’d bark like a whole pack of dogs."

"Please, with your sales numbers? Mr. Cole wouldn't even waste a dog collar on you."

Then came Chad’s voice. "Honestly, Liam really is a king now—the King of Simps!"

They all burst into loud laughter.

I turned on the faucet. I splashed cold water on my face, letting it mix with the tears spilling over my eyelids. The hundred thousand dollars pressed against my chest felt like a block of concrete, heavy and agonizing.

I dried my face, packed the cash into my backpack, and zipped it shut.

It's fine, I told myself.

I got the money. My son is going to be saved.