The new department supervisor loves to play favorites. The "nepo babies" come in late, leave early, yet somehow get full attendance bonuses every month. Those without connections are forced into unpaid overtime and docked $500 for being late just once. In meetings, he constantly throws shade at employees from modest backgrounds: "Winter really shows the wealth gap. A rich person's coat is worth ten of your polyester rags. You'll freeze or get shocked by static." "Don't blame society for being cold; blame yourselves for being born into the wrong families." I was away on a business trip. When I finally returned to the office, the supervisor docked my pay just because I walked in wearing a pair of knockoff Converse. When I found out he transferred my $15,000 performance bonus to a new hire carrying a Louis Vuitton bag because he thought I was "too low-class" and "damaged the company image," I laughed. Who do you think you are? Snob. I'm a hidden shareholder with ten years in this company. Do you really think a clown like you can sanction me? 1 Fresh off a business trip, I stepped into the office only to be halted by a stranger. He bent over with exaggerated disgust, pointing at my shoes. "What on earth are those?" I looked down at my feet, about to speak, then realized something was off. "Who are you? Don't you have work to do instead of analyzing people's footwear?" The man's expression went blank. He asked who I was. Just as I opened my mouth, my colleague Leo rushed over and tugged my sleeve. "Arthur, this is our new supervisor." "Supervisor, this is Arthur Reed, our company's top salesman. He's been on a long business trip and just got back today." The supervisor looked me up and down, nodding perfunctorily. "Business trip? Or did he just close a couple of deals and use 'business trip' as an excuse to slack off?" A bit of a reach, but sure, that happens. I actually appreciated the new supervisor's diligence. I smiled. "Supervisor, the company has strict policies. Business trips are all tracked and documented. You don't need to worry about that. When did you start? What's your background? Where did you work before..." I slipped into interview mode. Watching the supervisor's face change, I realized I asked too much. Can't blame me, though. This department hasn't had a supervisor in ages. The last few were slick old-timers full of office politics. I quietly got rid of them all. Seeing a new face after so long, I couldn't help myself. "Heh... funny guy. A totally average employee wearing totally garbage knockoff shoes, actually caring about my resume." The supervisor joked with Leo. Then he turned to me. "The General Manager has my resume. Should I have him send it to your office?" 2 The smile froze on my face. "No need, supervisor," I said dryly. I turned to go inside. But the supervisor blocked my path. "Hey, what's your name again? Oh, Arthur Reed. Did I say you could leave?" I stopped but didn't turn around. In the bullpen, my colleagues were winking furiously, anxious for me. The supervisor walked around to face me. Arrogantly, he asked: "You haven't answered my question. What are those things on your feet?" "Did the company institute a dress code while I was gone?" I countered. He paused, then let out a cold laugh. He ignored me and walked away. Leo immediately dragged me into the stairwell. "Why are you wearing those shoes? Don't you usually wear designer brands?" "What's going on?" I asked. "Why is the new guy so passive-aggressive?" Leo sighed, checked for eavesdroppers, then whispered: "He's sick. A massive snob! While you were gone, he made our lives miserable!" "His favorites do whatever they want. Those without connections work unpaid overtime." "And he judges everyone by their clothes. If you dress cheap, you're 'low class.' He targets you, insults you, calls you poor and says your parents are poor." I was shocked. People this brain-dead exist in the workplace? Who hired him? Leo urged me, "Go home and change into your expensive stuff. He hates you right now. Watch your back." I sneered. Unbelievable. I wore these cheap shoes because my good ones got soaked on the trip. I'm brand loyal, and there wasn't a store nearby, so I bought a cheap pair to make do. But if he's such a snob, how did he miss that my suit is a custom piece worth $50,000?! "Do you guys have recordings of this?" I asked Leo. "Give me the evidence." Leo covered my mouth. "What are you doing?!" "Don't talk crazy! Anyone in a key position here has connections. How can you even think about fighting him?" "You're the top salesman, making six figures. Don't risk it for a jerk like him. just keep your head down." Keep my head down? Not my style. I've been a hidden shareholder for over ten years. I was here when this company was nothing. I watched it grow. I poured my heart into it. Let's put it this way: the only person with more shares than me is the Chairman. He wanted me to be General Manager, but I declined because I lack the patience for management. I just have money and a silver tongue. I've seen ten supervisors come and go. They had their flaws, but this kind of extreme snobbery? That's a first. I'm going to see what he's made of. 3 I returned to my desk. Before I could even get comfortable, the supervisor marched in with a beautiful woman, clapping loudly. "Everyone, stop what you're doing. Let me introduce a new colleague, Bella. Give her a round of applause." A smattering of claps echoed through the office. A colleague whispered near me: "See that LV bag? That snob supervisor is going to put her on a pedestal." Just as he finished, the supervisor looked around and pointed directly at me. "Bella, you sit there. Good sunlight, great view." "Arthur Reed, pack your stuff immediately. Find somewhere else to sit." Bella smiled and thanked him, walking straight toward me. "I can't move," I said instantly. Bella stopped, looking awkwardly at the supervisor. The supervisor's face twisted. "Arthur Reed, are you disobeying a direct order from your superior?" 4 That's a heavy accusation. I explained: "I injured my leg as a kid. It can't handle cold or dampness. I need the sunlight." It wasn't a lie. I fell while hiking as a child. Medical care was spotty back then, and it never fully healed. Even in summer, I wear a thick knee brace. Cold makes it ache like hell. The supervisor stared, incredulous. "Can't handle the cold but you wear knockoff shoes? Stop pretending to be something you're not." "How fragile can you be? More fragile than a little girl? Are you a man, Arthur? Refusing to give up a seat?" "Supervisor, my spot has sun too. I'll switch with the new colleague," Leo jumped up. "No," the supervisor barked. "I want him to move! Arthur, are you moving or not?" 5 The atmosphere solidified. Bella whispered, "Never mind, I can sit anywhere." The supervisor waved her down, keeping the pressure on me. "Move. Or don't." "Can't move," I enunciated every word. Leo sighed in disappointment and hung his head. Other colleagues looked at me with pity, as if I was making a huge mistake. The supervisor scoffed. "Great. Top salesman indeed. Got personality. Rebellious, huh?" He turned his back and made a call. "Manager Zhou, it's Rex. We have an employee named Arthur Reed who's being extremely arrogant and insubordinate. What should we do?" He spoke loudly, casually addressing the General Manager. Showing off his connections to everyone. The pity in my colleagues' eyes deepened. Leo winked at me frantically, signaling me to quit while I was ahead. I ignored him and went back to work. Rex finished his call and ordered: "The GM wants to see you. Go on, Mr. Top Sales. If I can't manage you, maybe he can." 6 Aside from the Chairman, no one knows my identity. But it doesn't matter. As a ten-year veteran, I know the GM. I can lodge a complaint and see where he stands. And I'm genuinely curious who this Rex guy is. In the GM's office, he sighed before speaking. I was disappointed. "What's wrong?" The GM put down his pen. "Arthur, you've been here so long. How could you disobey an order?" "Manager, I'm not disobeying. You know about my leg." "I know, but the new guy needs to establish authority. I don't want you in the crossfire." I smiled dryly. "Manager, whose guy is he?" The GM frowned. "Arthur, how can you ask that?" Then he sighed again. "Look, just know he has backing. Asking won't change anything." "We have a good relationship, and you carry the sales numbers. Do me a favor, don't fight him." "I'll get you a personal heater for your leg. Let's just let this go. Being stuck in the middle is hard for me." 7 I guessed the situation from the GM's words. Back in the bullpen, everyone stared. I silently packed my things. Rex sneered. "See? That's right. Listen to advice. Go on, Bella, take your seat." Bella let out a contemptuous laugh and walked up to me quickly. "Senior, I heard you're the top sales rep. Please teach me. Oh, right... I'm curious, is the status of a top rep really this low?" I paused, looking at Bella suspiciously. Based on her earlier "I can sit anywhere," I thought she was just a timid newbie afraid of offending a veteran. Turns out she's a "nepo baby" too. Seeing Rex crush me so easily, she instantly grew a backbone. I smiled and nodded. "Sure, ask anytime." Bella's lips curved slightly. She gave a mock-polite bow. Then she pulled out the chair and sat down hard. "Wow, this chair is comfy. Senior Arthur, you're not taking this chair, are you?" Her voice was loud. A declaration of status to the entire department. 8 The department was dead silent all morning, save for typing sounds. The group chat was exploding. [Arthur, are you stupid? Fighting him won't end well!] [Hey, do you think Bella is sleeping with the dog supervisor? So arrogant on day one!] [Working under this trash... why bother? Quiet quitting time!] I replied: [Don't be negative. I bet he's gone within a week.] [The Prophet speaks! Arthur's predictions have come true before. Hope this one does too!] It will. Let's see how long he can dance. ... In the afternoon, a delivery guy brought an AC unit/heater. He asked for me, saying the GM sent it. I pointed to the spot next to me. "Install it there." My colleagues' expressions were priceless. "Whoa, looks like Arthur has the GM's favor too! Personal AC!" "I believe the prophecy now! Hahaha!" They taunted Bella with their looks. Bella glared at me venomously and went straight to the supervisor's office. Moments later, Rex arrived. The workers were unpacking the unit. "Wait. What is this?" Rex marched over. The worker said the GM ordered it for me. Rex immediately barked: "No! Who approved unauthorized equipment in my department?" "I have a layout plan! Do you think this is a flea market? Doing whatever you want?" "Arthur Reed, you think you're big? Snitching to the GM to get an AC? I'm fining you $1,000!" 9 The office erupted in noise. The workers stopped, calling the GM. The GM arrived, frowning, and pulled Rex aside. We could see Rex throwing a tantrum, waving his arms. The GM just kept sighing. After a full thirty minutes, the GM waved his hand helplessly. "Fine, take it back. Don't install it." Just as the workers moved, I stood up. I walked over to the GM. "Manager, I gave you face by moving desks." The GM looked helpless. "That guy is stubborn. I really can't do anything." "No, you might have misunderstood. I said I gave you face by moving. Now, you don't need to worry about this." I turned to the workers. "Install it!" 10 "I dare you!" Rex stormed back, shocked. "Arthur Reed, are you born defiant? Do you not understand English? I said no!" "You don't listen to the supervisor, now you don't listen to the GM?" "No discipline. I think people like this should be fired," Bella rolled her eyes and commented blandly. I asked, "Are you qualified to speak?" "What did you say?!" "You've been here one day. Do you have a say? What, is your background strong too?" I emphasized "too." Rex panted, turning to the GM. "Manager, you see this? How can we manage a guy like this? Just fire him!" "I can't make that call," the GM said. "The Chairman specifically ordered that any personnel changes regarding Arthur must go through him." "Oh? Interesting. Fine, if that's the case, I'll make the call." Rex pulled out his phone and put it on speaker. "Hello, Cousin... uh, Chairman Zhao. This is Rex. We have an employee named Arthur Reed who insists on installing an AC at his desk because of 'leg pain'..." [Install it! You don't need to ask me about this, isn't the GM there? Just install it. Two if one isn't enough. His leg was injured.] The Chairman cut him off before he could finish. Not only validating me but implying Rex overstepped. Why call him when the GM is right there? 11 The office went deathly silent. My colleagues' eyes were wide. Bella looked like she swallowed a fly. "What are you waiting for? Install it," the GM broke the silence. He coughed and said to Rex: "Rex, follow the chain of command next time. This is a warning." The GM strode away. Rex gritted his teeth and retreated to his office, defeated. Bella's arrogance vanished. She didn't dare look at me. In the group chat: [Arthur's "Install it!" was so cool!] [Even the Chairman protects Arthur. That dog supervisor is toast!] 12 The AC was installed. That afternoon, Rex issued a memo. Department staff must wear formal attire. Strict brand requirements. Minimum cost per outfit: $10,000. This sparked outrage. $10,000 is a huge sum for most people. Many considered quitting. I messaged the group: "Wear whatever you want. He's targeting me. I'll take the heat." The next day, I wore the most basic suit imaginable. Rex, as predicted, blocked me at the door.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "391013", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel