Chapter 5

I went back to my desk. I could feel the curious stares of my coworkers. The shouting match in Arthur's office hadn't been quiet.

Arthur immediately posted a notice about the Apex Tech project in our team WhatsApp group, asking for "volunteers" to lead it.

But hours passed, and the chat remained dead silent.

With my $2,500 horror story fresh in their minds, nobody was stupid enough to risk their own money and sanity on the company's "goodwill."

By mid-afternoon, my desk phone rang. It was Arthur. His voice was tight, barely suppressing his rage. "My office. Now."

When I walked back in, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Arthur sat behind his desk, hands clasped, trying to regain his dominant managerial posture. But the sweat on his forehead gave him away.

"Logan, let's cut the crap," he took a deep breath. "This project is vital for the company. We must have it. Name your terms."

"I don't have terms, Arthur," I said. "I'm just respecting company principles."

"Stop playing mind games with me!" he snapped, raising his voice again. "It’s about the damn $2,500, isn’t it? Fine! I’ll sign off on the reimbursement right now! Just take the damn project!"

He grabbed his pen, waving it over an empty desk.

Too bad the receipt was still sitting in my wallet.

I watched him squirm. He wanted to solve a massive problem with the absolute minimum effort, still trying to patronize me. I felt absolutely nothing.

"Arthur, the reimbursement is in the past. It’s fine," I said smoothly. "Right now, I’m thinking about the logistical risks of this project and the morale of the team. Forcing this through violates my professional principles."

"Your principles?" Arthur practically laughed, a manic edge to his voice. "Since when does your principle involve fighting the very company that pays your salary?"

"My principle is simple: do business the right way," I corrected him. "The company pays for company expenses. Employees get paid for their work. No free labor, no personal credit cards."

Arthur glared at me, the silence stretching between us like a ticking bomb.

Suddenly, his desk phone rang. The sharp ringtone made him jump.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his face instantly turned pale. It was the executive line from the top floor.

He took a shaky breath and picked up, his voice instantly turning submissive.

"Yes, Mr. Reynolds... Yes, sir, we are actively reviewing the Apex Tech proposal. Yes, Logan Miller is the lead on that account..."

"What? Marcus Davis called you directly? He asked why we haven't responded to the RFP yet?"

Cold sweat began to bead on Arthur's forehead.

"...Yes, sir, I understand. We absolutely cannot lose this account. Don't worry, Mr. Reynolds, I will personally handle this... What? You want to speak with Logan? Right now?"

Arthur snapped his head up to look at me, his eyes wide with sheer panic.

He covered the mouthpiece with his hand and whispered hoarsely, "Mr. Reynolds wants to talk to you."