Tonight is New Year's Eve, and also my anniversary with my boyfriend. At 6:05 PM, I picked up my bag, ready to clock out, but was blocked by my boss. "Leaving so early? Who allowed you to leave?" He leaned against the door frame, tone sarcastic. "Didn't you see I haven't left yet? You are the most unruly person in the entire company." I pointed to the time on my phone: "Company policy says work ends at 6:00. It's 6:05 now." "Leaving on time is perfectly justified." The boss's face sank: "In this company, I am the law." "Who are you to talk rules with me?" "I say you haven't finished, you sit back down obediently." I froze for a few seconds, then took out my phone and sent a text to my boyfriend. "My boss won't let me leave. Cancel that project we talked about." Chapter 1 "What kind of attitude is this! I'm talking to you, and you're playing with your phone?" "Do you have any respect for me as your boss!" Boss Sterling saw me taking out my phone to text, his face darkening instantly. I put away my phone, tone flat: "Since I can't leave on time, I have to tell my boyfriend. Is there a problem?" "Is there a problem? Huge problem!" Sterling looked me up and down, eyes full of contempt. "I wondered why your efficiency has been so low lately. Turns out your mind is all on romance!" "A girl thinking about dating all day, what future can you have?" Heh, my future doesn't depend on you, and you can't afford it either. Sure enough, jobs found by submitting resumes myself are unreliable. I should have listened to Preston and taken a leisurely job at his company. Drinking tea and reading newspapers every day would be better than watching people's faces here. Besides, I have always been diligent. Projects delivered on time, overtime not rare. How is my efficiency low? Simply nonsense. Counting it up, this is the twelfth time this month the boss picked on me. At first, I really thought it was my problem and reflected daily. Turns out, he just purely wants to find someone to scold, to show off his authority as a boss. Now, I won't spoil him. I retorted directly. "Mr. Sterling, dating is my private matter and hasn't affected my work." "I completed all my duties on time." Colleague Linda next to me whispered in support, "Yes, Mr. Sterling, Sarah has always been serious and responsible, never made mistakes." Sterling exploded on the spot. "Who do you think you are? Are you the boss or am I? Do you have a say when I criticize employees?" "Don't think I don't know, you two drink bubble tea and order takeout together every day, practically wearing the same pair of pants. Forming a clique, huh?" "If she makes a mistake and gets her salary deducted, should I deduct yours too?" Linda's eyes reddened with grievance, but she dared not talk back to Sterling. Sterling scolded enough, then turned back to me. "What do you mean completed? Who are you fooling?" "Where is the Annual Gala plan I asked you to do last week?" "We agreed the first draft must be submitted before New Year's Eve." "Work not done, and you have the nerve to leave? Where is your shame?" Colleagues around were peeking to watch the drama. The boss wouldn't let me go, so they dared not leave either, afraid the boss would scold them too. I was too lazy to argue, too lazy to turn on the computer that was already shut down. I took out my phone and opened Slack. Clicked on the chat with the boss. "Boss, the Annual Gala plan was sent to you via Slack file two days ago, Monday at 4:15 PM." "At 4:23 PM, you replied with an 'OK' emoji." "I haven't received any further feedback from you." "I assumed you had confirmed receipt." The screen displayed it clearly. The boss's face became even gloomier. "What confirmed receipt!" "Replying OK means I know, not that I finished reading and confirming!" Sterling spat as he spoke, getting more excited. "Also, if I didn't give you feedback, why didn't you remind me?" "Ah? Can't you be more proactive in doing things?" "Where is your sense of responsibility for project follow-up? Sending a plan to me and considering it done?" "Is this your work attitude?" I've heard this pot-dumping rhetoric until my ears calloused. Forgetful himself, blames employees for not reminding. Missed seeing it himself, blames employees for not writing clearly. Working here for a few months, after being picked on a few times, I already had a response plan. I zoomed in on the chat history. "Mr. Sterling, look carefully at the chat history." "When I sent the file to you, the note was very clear." I read out the chat record. "Mr. Sterling, the first draft of the Annual Gala plan has been sent. Please confirm the plan ASAP." "I booked a 30-minute meeting with you on Jan 4th at 10 AM to go over the final plan. Does that work?" Sterling panicked, slapping the table loudly. "You sent so many words, who has time to read them one by one!" "As HR, don't you know my work habits? Important things must be said in person!" "Sending a Slack message counts as notification? You are slacking off!" Heh, here we go again. He is the boss, he is always right. I sneered in my heart, but my face remained calm. "Mr. Sterling, you forgot. The rule you personally set at the company meeting last month." "You said, to clarify responsibilities, all communication and work reports must leave a trail on Slack to avoid disputes later." "I was just strictly following your rules." Sterling's face turned completely black. "Good! Good sharp-tongued Sarah!" "Dare to talk back to me." "Said so much, just want to leave work, right?" "I tell you, no way!" "This company is named Sterling, I am the boss." He gritted his teeth and stared at me. "I officially notify you now, you are not allowed to leave!" "Meeting right now! Discuss the Annual Gala plan!" He scanned the office viciously. "And Linda, Zack... your entire department, no one leaves. Everyone comes to the meeting." As soon as this was said, people in the office were stunned. Zack, who was named, tentatively spoke: "Mr. Sterling, I... my girlfriend is waiting for me downstairs for dinner, we agreed..." "Girlfriend?" Sterling sneered, "Can a girlfriend pay your salary? Can she pay your insurance? Can't distinguish priorities!" He flung his hand fiercely, pointing at me again. "Blame your good colleague Sarah." "It's her smart-ass backtalk that dragged you all into overtime." "Today, I'll teach you a good lesson, so you don't forget who holds the cards!" Several resentful looks immediately cast on me. Everyone still counted this debt on my head. I was about to say something, but Linda immediately held my arm. "Sarah, stop talking, forget it." "The boss is angry. The more you resist, the more energized he gets. He really can make us stay all night!" "My child is alone at home, I..." "Just treat it as me begging you, endure it, okay?" "Let's go, let's go to the meeting." But glancing at Linda's pleading face, The fire in my heart faded a bit. This shitty job, this stupid boss, staying one more second is dirty. But in the few months I've been here, Linda really treated me like a sister and taught me a lot. I can't let her be embarrassed because of me. Fine, give her face. I nodded at Linda and swallowed all the words back. Linda turned to squeeze out a smile at Sterling, bowing and scraping: "Boss, we'll go to the conference room right away, right away." "Sarah is young and ignorant, don't hold it against her." Sterling snorted, looking triumphant. "Go! To the conference room! Today I'll teach you a lesson personally!" I rolled a huge eye in my heart. Laugh, laugh hard. Don't know how long you can laugh. My text message has been sent. When Preston sees it, he'll cry. This project was only possible because Preston's grandfather agreed to cooperate with him seeing I work here. Otherwise, with Sterling's small volume, he wouldn't touch The Preston Group even in a hundred years. Chapter 2 In the conference room, Sterling sat at the head, starting his lecture. "Today, keeping everyone here is not to punish you, but to educate you!" "What is Wolf Culture? What is team spirit? Some of you just lack this spirit!" As he spoke, he glanced at me with the corner of his eye, the meaning self-evident. I lowered my eyelids, staring at the conference table, feeling annoyed. New Year's Eve, anniversary... all ruined. What is Preston doing now? Is he waiting for my call? Just thinking, the phone on the table buzzed suddenly. The screen lit up, displaying: Preston. I quickly pressed the hang-up button, then put the phone in my pocket. But those two short vibrations were still exceptionally abrupt. Sterling's long speech stopped abruptly. He scanned every face in the conference room and roared loudly. "Who?" "Whose phone was ringing just now?" Everyone's eyes focused on me immediately. Zack sitting next to me even pointed his finger at me. "Boss, it's Sarah's phone." I looked up, looking straight at Sterling. "It's me." "You again! Sarah!" Sterling slapped the table and stood up directly. "Good! You are really good!" "I'm here talking my heart out about the team, about the future, and you are flirting with your little boyfriend down there!" "Playing with your phone in a meeting, do you have any discipline in your eyes! Do you have me as a boss!" I frowned, explaining calmly, "I didn't play with my phone, just a call, I already hung up." "Hung up?" Sterling was furious, "You think you're right?" "I see you are unrepentant!" "If I don't show you some severity, you won't know how many eyes Lord Ma has!" He pointed at me viciously. "I officially notify you now, according to company regulations, handling personal affairs during a meeting," "Seriously affecting meeting order, fined $3,000! Deducted from your next month's salary!" I twitched the corner of my mouth. "Mr. Sterling, I memorized the employee handbook when I joined. There is no rule saying answering a call in a meeting gets fined." "Handbook?" Sterling sneered, tone disdainful, "What I say is the rule!" "I have the final say in this company!" He looked unhappy, frowning at everyone, "Everyone say, am I right to fine her?" "Is it people like her with no sense of collective honor who drag down our entire department's progress?" Linda spoke carefully, "Mr. Sterling, please calm down." "Sarah is still young, just graduated, doesn't know better. This is the first time, how about... give her a chance?" "Her probation salary isn't high, $3,000 isn't a small amount..." Sterling glared, "She's young? She doesn't know better? She knew too well when she talked back to me?" "Linda I tell you, don't mix mud here!" "It's because of softies like you that she is so lawless!" Linda sat back awkwardly, daring not say another word. Zack was best at reading expressions. He spoke righteously, "No rules, no standards. I support Mr. Sterling's decision." "Sarah, it is indeed your fault this time." Other colleagues immediately echoed, "Yeah, Sarah, just admit the fine quickly so we can finish the meeting and leave!" "We could have left at six, what time is it now? It's all your fault!" "Who do you think you are? Talking back to the boss?" "Apologize to the boss quickly, stop being stubborn!" Looking at their expressions accusing me all at once, I suddenly found it very funny. These are my good colleagues. I usually treat them with snacks often. Once trouble hits, they push me out immediately. I straightened my back, "I won't admit fines that shouldn't be fined." Sterling's face collapsed, preparing to curse. My phone vibrated again. Sterling exploded immediately, "Sarah, is there no end? I order you, hand over the phone immediately." I snorted coldly: "Impossible." "The phone is my personal property. You have no right to confiscate it." "Seems you still don't understand the boss is the biggest in the company." Sterling glanced at Zack coldly. Zack understood immediately, calling a few other male colleagues to surround me. Linda's face turned pale, "Mr. Sterling, what are you doing! Talk nicely!" "Shut up!" Sterling pushed her away, "None of your business!" "One more word, and you resign and get out too!" Linda stumbled, pushed into the file cabinet by the wall. Other colleagues all lowered their heads, pretending to see nothing. My heart went cold. Indeed, just colleagues. Next second, several hands clamped my shoulders. "Let go!" I struggled, but the strength difference between men and women kept me pinned to the chair, unable to move. "Sarah, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!" "Hand over the phone, it's good for everyone!" I clutched the phone tightly, fingertips white. "Mr. Sterling, this is robbery, it's illegal!" "Illegal?" Sterling raised his hand and slapped me. Left cheek burned with pain, heavy metallic taste in my mouth. "Go ask around, in Manhattan, who dares to touch me, Sebastian Sterling." "Our Sterling family is protected by the Preston family." "The richest Preston family, understand? Bitch." Heh, he hit the future matriarch of the Preston family, and wants the Preston family to protect him? Simply dreaming! I smiled mockingly, "You will regret this!" "I never regret what I do!" Sterling lost patience, stepping forward personally to pry my fingers. His nails were long, digging hard into the back of my hand. My eyes reddened with pain. In the last second before the phone was snatched, I used all my strength, finger swiping the answer button. Sterling let out a sneer. "Heh, so what if you answered." "Let your boyfriend hear how pathetic you are now!" Sterling pressed the speaker button, tone rampant, "Hello? Looking for Sarah?" The voice on the other end turned cold, "Who are you?" "Who am I?" Sterling laughed loudly, "I am her boss!" "I tell you, stop waiting. Your girlfriend Sarah talked back to her superior. I'm punishing her to stay in the company for overtime and deep reflection!" "Tonight, she goes nowhere!" Silence on the other end. Sterling became more smug, "Heard that? A grown man knowing only to circle around women, useless!" "I tell you, stop calling and disturbing our company meeting, or I'll make you suffer consequences you can't bear." "Oh? Really?" An icy voice interrupted Sterling's clamor. But this voice did not come from the phone. Instead, it came from the corridor nearby. Everyone's eyes widened, looking at the conference room door. Only to see a tall and slender figure striding over. "I'd really like to see how you make me suffer consequences I can't bear." "Who the hell are you?" Sterling spat low, "Who let you in?" "Our company is holding an important meeting. Idlers get out!" The man glanced at Sterling lightly. "I'm here to pick up Sarah." After he finished, his gaze fell on me. The colleagues grabbing me immediately let go. I threw myself into Preston's arms immediately. "Preston, you finally came." He looked at the red mark on my face and the bloody scratches on my hand, frowning with heartache. "Who did this." Red-eyed, I pointed at Sterling, and Zack and the others. "Don't worry, I will make them pay." Preston patted my back gently, "Let's go, I'll take you to the hospital to treat the wounds first." Saying that, he held my hand, turning to leave. Sterling laughed arrogantly. "Kid, you are Sarah's boyfriend, right?" "I tell you, you can't take her today!" "Sarah is my employee. When she can leave work depends on me!" "Now, immediately, get out! Don't hinder our company's internal discipline rectification!" Preston's tone was three degrees colder than before. "I say it again, I'm taking her." "Are you f*cking deaf!" Sterling rolled his eyes impatiently, "Who do you think you are? Dare to talk to me like this?" "Do you know who I am? The boss of Sterling Capital!" "Ask around this territory, who doesn't give me some face." Colleagues aside started whispering. "Done for, this young man is in trouble." "Yeah, heard the Sterling family has good relations with major powers in the city." "Especially the richest Preston family. I heard the boss's driver say Sterling's father even ate with Old Mr. Preston!" "Mr. Sterling has a bad temper, but his connections are really something." "This young man is still too young, thinking he can walk sideways with a big mouth. Impulse is the devil." Sterling became more smug, looking at Preston with disdain. "Heard that, brat? Didn't ask who you are messing with before entering?" "Tell you, today you kicked an iron plate." Iron plate? Just their Sterling family? A second-rate family at best. Being able to attend the Preston family dinner was only because I work at their company, And the Old Master wanted to give them a chance. Really think he's somebody. I looked at Preston mischievously. "Preston, what to do? Their background is so hard, I'm a bit scared." Preston spoke lightly, "Scared of what, if the sky falls, I'll hold it." Sterling revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Kid, what do you hold it with? Relying on this face?" "You look handsome, but I must warn you," "Society is not your home, not a place you can pretend just because you dress like a human!!" "No strength, no background, you are a fart!" He turned around sharply, pointing viciously at me. "Blame your brainless girlfriend for offending people she shouldn't offend." "Today your New Year's Eve will be spent in my f*cking office!" He turned, raising his eyebrows triumphantly at everyone in the office. "See that? This is the result of not working hard!" "Not only do you have to work overtime, but your boyfriend also has to wait outside like a dog!" Zack immediately echoed fawningly, "Mr. Sterling is right! Work is heaven. Heaven is big, earth is big, but work is the biggest!" I gently pushed Preston away and looked at Sterling. "Mr. Sterling, I quit." As soon as these words came out, Linda's face turned pale, winking at me desperately. Sterling laughed holding his belly. "Quit? Sarah, is your brain really kicked by a donkey?" He stopped laughing, tapping at me with his finger, "Sure, hand in the resignation letter. According to labor law, 30 days notice." "In these 30 days, you, Sarah, are still an employee of my Sterling Capital!" "If I tell you to work overtime, you work! If I tell you to work, you work!" "Want to leave? Fine, 30 days later, get out!" "But tonight, don't even think about stepping out of this door!" Sterling really won't cry until he sees the coffin, still so arrogant. I frowned, "Mr. Sterling, I'm just notifying you, I quit. I won't listen to your orders anymore." "As for deducting salary, deduct whatever you want, doesn't matter." "Tonight, I am leaving." Sterling sneered, "You think the company is a place you come and go as you please?" "Zack, call security." Preston spoke lightly. "I remember, The Preston Group recently has a $30 billion new energy project, planning deep cooperation with you." Hearing "The Preston Group" and "$30 billion," Sterling straightened his back even more. "Count yourself knowledgeable, kid!" "That's right! That project is led by our Sterling family!" "The Preston family, understand? Our Sterling family is protected by the Prestons!" He thought Preston was scared, tone even more insufferable. Preston pulled a cold smile. "Oh, really?" "That's just right." He took out his phone, dialing his assistant directly. "Assistant Lee, notify down. All cooperation intentions between The Preston Group and Sterling Capital are terminated." "Also, I want Sterling Capital to disappear from the city before dawn."
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