At the annual awards gala, I was about to receive the "Top Salesperson" award. But before I could accept it, the CEO's girlfriend, Bella, grabbed the mic and sneered: "Riley, it's just an award ceremony. Don't you think your dress is a bit... sl*tty?" "Actually, I've seen you selling drinks at nightclubs. Working two jobs is tough, but you should respect your body." Then, she pulled out a stack of photos showing me meeting various clients. She accused me of closing deals by day and sleeping with clients by night. The crowd erupted. Colleagues pointed fingers, whispering in disbelief. "No wonder her sales numbers are so high. She sold herself for them." "Does she have any diseases? Gross, I sit right next to her!" I thought the CEO, Ethan, would defend me. After all, he was there every time I signed a major contract. Instead, he turned on me: "It's just an award, Riley. You are dressed too proactively. Since your sales record is suspicious, we're withholding the trophy and the bonus." Oh, so that's how we're playing? I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. "Help me, officer! I think I was drugged without my knowledge!" 1 The hall went dead silent. Ethan was the first to react. He rushed over to grab my phone. "Are you crazy, Riley? This is the awards gala! Stop making a scene, aren't you embarrassed enough?" I deftly dodged him, protecting my phone and my dress, while giving the address to the operator. "Yes, Grand Crown Hotel, Rose Ballroom. Please hurry, I'm terrified!" As soon as I hung up, I switched to video recording. I aimed the camera straight at Ethan and the stunned Bella. "Come on, say it again for the camera. Did you just claim I sleep with clients at night?" I zoomed in on the "intimate photos" in Bella's hand to ensure high-definition evidence. Bella finally snapped out of it. She swatted my phone, sending it crashing to the floor. Smash. The screen shattered. But she immediately hid behind Ethan, looking aggrieved. "I was just telling the truth. Riley, why are you escalating this? You're ruining the party for everyone. You're so selfish." Hearing this, colleagues started piling on. "If you didn't do it, Bella wouldn't have photos." "Exactly. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Why would she single you out?" "We haven't even complained about potential health risks yet, and you're playing the victim!" Behind Ethan, Bella put on a brave smile and "kindly" advised: "I just didn't want everyone to be deceived. That's why I exposed Riley's true face today." "Work should be fair. If bonuses go to people who cheat the system, it's unfair to you all, right?" Her words earned a round of applause. Everyone praised her beauty and integrity, saying she truly deserved to be the CEO's girlfriend. And me? Just a worker destined for the gutter. While they criticized me, I quietly gathered the photos from the floor. Evidence of defamation. I decided to give Ethan one last chance. He was my senior in college and had taken care of me. When I first started, my sales were bottom-tier. He ran every lead with me and introduced me to clients. Out of gratitude, even after becoming the top salesperson with my own client base, I never accepted offers from headhunters. "Ethan, are you sure you want to cancel my bonus and trophy?" 2 Ethan, arm around Bella, chatting with colleagues, darkened his face instantly. "Riley, how many times do I have to say it? Bella is my girlfriend. Her words are my words." "If you weren't a veteran employee, we would have fired you for moonlighting as an escort and ruining the company's image." "Be grateful we're saving you some face by letting you stay. As for the bonus, forget it!" I was utterly disappointed. Based on a few photos, he labeled me an escort. How could I stay in this company? Besides, Bella might not know where those orders came from, but didn't he? Since he gave me no way out, I wouldn't leave him any dignity. This party is over! I walked onto the stage, cut the music, and projected my sales records onto the big screen. "Since the police aren't here yet, let's pause on Bella's defamation. I can skip the trophy, but I want every cent of my bonus." Ignoring the shock in the room, I went through every order, holding up the photos one by one. "December 1st. This photo. I squatted outside Mr. Pang's office for three hours for a five-minute meeting. I slipped in the rain, he helped me up. Seeing my dedication, he renewed the contract." "December 2nd. This one. Mr. Chu's wife was sick. I visited her. He hugged me in gratitude and gave us the new project." "December 3rd..." I had evidence and logic for every single picture. Bella didn't expect my memory to be this good. I not only explained the context but cleared my name. She marched up and unplugged the screen. "Riley! This is the company gala, not your personal show! Is it appropriate to waste everyone's time?" Ethan also frowned, ordering me down. "Riley, enough!" "If everyone acts like you, how can we hold the gala?" The double standard was laughable. "When you defamed me and canceled my bonus, you didn't care about the gala. Now that I'm clearing my name and asking for my money, it's a problem?" Bella realized something. "So it's all about the money?" "Fine, get down. We'll give you the bonus during the awards segment!" 3 I didn't expect Bella to agree. Ethan looked unhappy but nodded to save her face. Since I got what I wanted, I didn't need to waste more time on stage. As I stepped down, I saw Bella whisper something to Ethan, and they went into the lounge. I followed quietly. I wanted to see what they were plotting. Inside, Ethan questioned Bella immediately. "I staged this whole thing because I didn't want to pay her bonus! Now you're giving it to her? Why did I bother?" Bella soothed him softly. "I said I'd give her a bonus, I didn't say what bonus. Don't worry." "I promise she won't get a single cent today!" She whispered something in his ear, and Ethan burst out laughing. "Great! You always have ideas. Let's do it!" Outside, I cursed myself for being naive. Of course. Bella wouldn't dare make a scene without Ethan's approval. But why? Even if my bonus was six figures, Ethan shouldn't be sweating over such a small amount. Before I could figure it out, my shattered phone rang. I ducked into the bathroom. "Riley! Why didn't you tell me you were being bullied at work?" My dad yelled. "Quit immediately! My daughter won't suffer this humiliation!" "Defamed by an escort girl? How can I show my face in this town?" I was confused. Then I saw the link my dad sent. It was a clip of the gala livestream where Bella humiliated me. My defense was conveniently cut out. She looked like a righteous whistleblower. I looked like a scheming slut. My dad continued: "No wonder she quit my club so suddenly. She found a sugar daddy!" "Wait, Dad, who are you talking about?" "That colleague of yours! She used to sell drinks at my club, didn't you know?" My dad sent photos and videos of Bella working at his club. I almost laughed. Bella accused me of selling alcohol, when she was the real pro! I wonder if Ethan knows? 4 I received a text from the police saying they were stuck in traffic but arriving soon. Back at the gala, Bella enthusiastically pulled me onto the stage. "Riley, I was just joking earlier. Don't be mad. Come get your bonus." Ethan stood before me, holding a trophy and a red envelope, his face beaming with a fake smile. "Riley, you're a veteran employee. I'm proud of your achievements. Here is your trophy and bonus. Congratulations." "Just... since you have a stable job now, stop with the side hustles. It looks bad if people find out." I rolled my eyes. "Ethan, I explained clearly. I don't have side hustles. But your girlfriend..." Bella shoved me off the stage before I could finish. "Riley, I know you hold a grudge because I told the truth, but don't be petty." "Go on, you got your money." True. Priority one: get the money. But the red envelope felt light. Too light. My commission and bonus should be at least $15,000. It shouldn't feel like air. I opened it. Inside was a single piece of paper with handwriting: "Bonus: $15,000."
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