Chapter 4

"Bullshit! I don't care if you call your dad, your granddad, or your whole damn family tree—it won't save you!"

Richard spat on the ground near my feet, clearly not taking my call seriously.

In his eyes, my "dad" was probably some blue-collar worker or a struggling farmer from a red state. He probably couldn't even afford a train ticket to get here.

What Richard cared about more were the three clients who were currently walking out.

"What are you all looking at? Get back to work!" Richard screamed at the gaping employees before turning his venom back on me.

"Charlotte, I was going to let you keep some of your dignity. But since you want to do this the hard way, don't blame me for being ruthless."

He pulled out his phone and dialed the HR Director of our headquarters.

That was his old college buddy and his biggest connection in the main office.

"Hey, Marcus? It's Richard. Yes, yes. I have an urgent matter to report."

Richard purposely put the call on speakerphone. He had a sickening, sycophantic grin on his face, but his eyes were glaring at me like a poisonous snake.

"Our sales rep, Charlotte Vance, won a lottery and has completely lost her mind. Not only did she violate company policy by refusing to hand over the funds, but she's also refusing to work. She insulted our top clients, and now three of our biggest accounts are about to walk out!"

A deep, commanding male voice came through the speaker.

"Is that true? Kids these days have some nerve!"

"Marcus, her personal life is a complete mess. Mr. Henderson only walked out because he was disgusted by her behavior. And she actually boasted that the company can't run without her, saying she doesn't respect you or the Chairman!"

Distorting the truth. Playing the victim.

Richard was truly a master of throwing dirt.

Marcus Hayes, the HR Director, was clearly furious.

"Unbelievable! A minor sales rep thinks she runs the place? Richard, compile all the evidence of her violations immediately. The Chairman is actually inspecting our local branches this afternoon. He wasn't scheduled to visit yours, but since we have such a rotten apple in your office, I will ask the Chairman to personally handle this!"

Richard was ecstatic.

He had only wanted his connection to pressure me, but he hadn't expected the Chairman himself to show up.

This was his golden opportunity to shine in front of the big boss.

As long as he framed me successfully, he could pocket my five million dollars and look like a heroic manager who cleaned up the company.

Two birds, one stone.

"Understood, Marcus! I will prepare the evidence in detail! We will not let this parasite ruin the group's reputation!"

After hanging up, Richard was practically shaking with excitement.

He looked down at me, his nose practically pointing to the ceiling.

"Did you hear that, Charlotte? The Chairman is coming personally this afternoon! Even if your broke father shows up, he'll only watch you get thrown out like trash. Even if he begs on his knees, it won't save you!"

Chloe sneered, stepping closer.

"Charlotte, if I were you, I'd get on my knees right now, beg Richard for forgiveness, and hand over the money. Maybe then Richard will have mercy and say a few good words to the Chairman so you can leave with some dignity."

I looked up at the two clowns standing before me.

"Richard, did the HR Director say the Chairman is coming this afternoon?"

Richard sneered.

"What? Scared now? Want to use this time to run away? No way! Security! Block the exits! If Charlotte tries to leave, break her legs!"

The two security guards hesitated for a moment but eventually stood by the door.

I smiled, checking the time on my phone.

"No need to go to all that trouble. My dad has a bit of a temper. When he heard someone was bullying me, he decided to fly his private helicopter over. If my math is right, he should be here any minute."

Richard and Chloe froze.

Then, they burst into hysterical laughter.

Chloe laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

"A helicopter? Hahaha! Charlotte, have you gone completely insane? Do you think we're in a movie? If you had a dad with a private helicopter, would you be working here fighting us over a few thousand dollars in commission?"

Richard looked at me as if I were a complete lunatic.

"Fine, let's see how long you can keep up this act. Since you aren't running, stay here and wait for your doom!"

He waved his hand grandly.

"Chloe, notify everyone. All-hands meeting in the main conference room in ten minutes! I want to hold a public trial in front of the whole company! We will list every single one of Charlotte's crimes, so when the Chairman arrives, we can hand it to him directly!"

"You got it, Richard! I'll prepare a PowerPoint. I promise it’ll be a show!" Chloe squealed excitedly.

I watched her run off, sighing softly.

Some people really just love digging their own graves.