Chapter 3

Two seconds passed before Muriel spoke.

"Ms. Coleman, are you threatening us?"

I looked at her, puzzled. "Threatening? Where's that coming from? You people wanted the year-end bonus handed out the same to everyone. I agreed."

Her face soured. She stared at me. "If it isn't a threat, then why not the top-tier bonus for everyone? Why nothing at all?"

"Ha." I laughed twice. "Muriel, are you the boss, or am I? I've already agreed to your request. The year-end bonus is the same for everyone. Don't push your luck."

"Yes, you agreed. But what we're demanding is that the bonus be paid at the highest tier. Everyone gets the top bonus."

There was such righteous confidence in her voice that it actually made me laugh out of pure anger.

A year-end bonus, and the same for everyone, and at the highest tier on top of that.

Did they think I was a money printer?

There is no deal that sweet in this world.

I gave them respect. That didn't mean they got to climb onto my head.

I'm the boss. They're the employees.

I'd heard of employees reading the boss's face. I'd never once heard of a boss reading the employees'.

I looked at the crowd of them in front of me and said coldly, "Is this what you all think too?"

They looked at me, then looked at Muriel, and one by one they lowered their heads, guilty.

My voice went colder. "A lot of you have been with me six, seven years. You know exactly how I've treated you. Wages, bonuses, when did I ever shortchange a single one of you? You want a bigger year-end bonus, I understand that. But listening to some intern? Say that out loud and people will laugh themselves sick."

At that, a lot of heads dropped lower, and more than a few faces went red with shame.

I'd been too good to them, clearly. It had made them think I had no temper, that they could step on my face and keep climbing.

"Ms. Coleman, don't change the subject." Muriel's voice came, sharp with grievance. "I'm an intern, but an intern is still part of the company. As long as it's for the company's good, I have the right to raise my opinion."

I gave her a long look.

"You're only an intern here. You're not yet a real member of this family that is the company. So no, you have no right to raise any opinion at all."

Then I turned my eyes back to the staff.

"I'll say this once. If you keep insisting the year-end bonus be the same for everyone, then not one cent. If you change your mind, come find me before ten tonight and I'll hand you your bonus in person."

Nobody spoke. But hesitation sat on every face.

I didn't wait around for them. I turned and left.

I'd given them the chance. If they couldn't grab it, they had no right to blame me for being cold and heartless.

But I truly never expected that not a single person would come.

No. Carter came.

He pulled out his phone and hit play on a recording.

Muriel's voice came out of it.

"Don't let her scare you. I don't believe she'd actually dare to fire every last one of us."