Chapter 2Bonus Boxed in Shame

The day after I left, my old company was in an uproar.

According to Josh’s whispered messages, the sales department was in complete chaos.

Mr. Henderson slammed the printed client list onto Linda’s face.

“That Iris broad always hogged the resources, now they’re yours!”

He pointed at the long list, roaring, “Go close those deals! Prove that sales is all about looks!”

Linda, holding the folder with only contact information, was brimming with confidence.

She changed into a low-cut, tight red dress, her perfume so strong you could smell it two blocks away.

Her first target was the multi-million-dollar client, Mr. Thompson from Apex Group.

Linda, with two fresh-out-of-college girls in tow, marched straight to Apex Group’s building.

She thought it would be the same old song and dance she used to pull with Mr. Henderson.

But I knew Mr. Thompson too well.

He was a true go-getter, utterly disgusted by suggestive “public relations” tactics.

Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Linda emerged, looking utterly deflated.

Not only did Mr. Thompson refuse to see her, he called a complaint directly to the company’s front desk.

“Tell your Mr. Henderson that if he sends any more inappropriate people to harass us, he can expect a legal letter!”

Mr. Henderson, in his office, furiously smashed a cup.

Unwilling to scold Linda, he turned his wrath on the rest of the sales department.

“It’s all your fault for not backing up Director Linda properly!”

“A bunch of useless hacks! Can’t even handle one client!”

My former colleague, Ms. Lee, was crying uncontrollably on the phone.

“Iris, we can’t take it anymore.”

“Mr. Henderson is forcing us to give clients gifts, entertain them at dinners, and even hinting that the female employees should follow Linda’s lead…”

I clenched my phone, my voice turning colder.

“Hang in there for two more days. The real show’s coming.”

Hanging up, I looked at the dense data analysis on my computer screen.

At Genesis Tech, I hadn’t wasted a second, working through the night to churn out a proposal.

Completely discarding my old company’s “drinking culture.”

Mr. Thompson agreed to my invitation.

The meeting was set for a quiet business tea room.

I didn’t order alcohol, opting instead for a pot of premium Pu-erh tea.

I placed the thick analysis report on the table, sliding it towards Mr. Thompson.

“Mr. Thompson, this is the proposal tailored for Apex Group.”

Mr. Thompson flipped through a few pages, his brows slowly relaxing.

“Ms. Graham, you truly understand me.”

He closed the document, sighing, “The new people at that previous company are an insult to my intelligence.”

I smiled faintly, refilling his teacup.

“Professionals handle professional matters, Mr. Thompson. We only discuss business.”

The meeting was very productive.

Not only did I secure Mr. Thompson’s verbal commitment, but I also gained a crucial piece of information.

My former company’s supply chain had a major vulnerability.

Since I used to manage supply chain coordination, I knew exactly where their weak points were.

At an industry gala that weekend, fate ensured a run-in.

Mr. Henderson and Linda arrived, dressed to the nines.

Linda was clinging to Mr. Henderson’s arm, her dress slit almost to her thigh.

Upon seeing me, she deliberately raised her voice.

“Well, well, isn’t it Iris Graham, the one who got kicked out?”

All eyes in the vicinity instantly converged on us.

Linda sauntered over, swaying her hips, scrutinizing my business attire.

“Think you can close deals just by jumping to the competition? Or are you back to sleeping your way to the top?”

Mr. Henderson let out a grating, cold laugh beside her.

“Iris Graham, even a dump like Genesis can take you in?”

“Heard it was Mr. Chen himself who picked you up? Guess you only have talent in that one area.”

Their vulgar words echoed through the gala hall.

Many people started pointing and whispering about me.

I held my glass of juice, watching the two clowns.

In that moment, I felt no anger, only a detached amusement, like watching a poorly acted play.