Chapter 4

Amidst the chorus of condemnation, I calmly accepted giving up my reimbursement priority and promised not to cause trouble for Mr. Blake.

Amber couldn't believe I would agree so easily. She kept pressing: "You really mean it? No take-backs!"

I casually reassured her: "If I go back on my word, you can report me to the boss and get me fired."

Satisfied with my answer, Amber gleefully headed to the finance office. I opened up the performance report I had prepared earlier.

In previous years, to ensure everyone in the sales department could have a good holiday bonus, I had always evenly distributed my performance numbers among those who hadn't met their targets. That way, everyone could get a year-end bonus.

But this time, I had adjusted the report to show everyone's true performance numbers. I sent it off to the boss's email.

At this point, the rest of the sales department had no idea they were about to lose their year-end bonuses. They were excitedly discussing plans for the upcoming company party.

I sat silently in my chair, listening to them talk about the party. The light in my eyes grew dim as I recalled what had happened last time.

In my past life, I had won the grand prize of $99,000 that the boss had prepared. It was the biggest prize at the party.

But before I could even celebrate, Amber jumped on stage and grabbed the microphone to "expose" my affair with Mr. Blake. She claimed he had told me in advance where the prize was hidden.

I tried to explain, but Mr. Blake beat me to it. He rushed to apologize to the boss, admitting to the non-existent affair and confirming he had told me about the prize location.

His confession caught me completely off guard. My attempts to explain became stuttering and unconvincing.

Faced with Mr. Blake's impassioned confession and my clumsy denials, the boss chose to believe him.

To prove my innocence, I decided to give up the prize money. In the end, the grand prize went to Amber for her "courage" in exposing office impropriety.

The boss forgave Mr. Blake for his sincere apology, viewing my continued protests as dishonest excuses. I lost my year-end bonus as well.

Lost in angry memories, I glanced at the time. I knew the boss would be arriving at the office soon, just like in my past life. The moment to launch my counterattack was approaching.

0