My 500,000 Prize Money Was Confiscated

I stood at the doorway as my fingernails dug into my palm.

I had drunk till my stomach started bleeding to secure a deal. I had also slept for only four hours a night for an entire week to finish a proposal.

I could say with confidence that I deserved every dollar I earned.

Initially, I had planned to part on decent terms. But after hearing their conversation, I refused to let them off the hook so easily.

I took my phone and went up to the rooftop terrace.

The cold winter breeze cleared my head and cooled the anger that had left me lightheaded. Then, I called Elena Frost, the CEO of Saint New Group.

Her cheerful laughter came through the phone. “I heard you won a car. Congratulations. My sister runs a car wash at the International Trade Center. Come by anytime. It’s free.”

“Thank you, Ms. Frost. I don’t need to wash my car right now. I’m calling about something else. There’s no rush to settle this year’s remaining payment. As for next year’s main contract, let’s put that on hold for now.”

Elena noticed that I was upset, and her tone turned serious. “What happened? Did someone at your company give you a hard time?

“Was Seth picking on you, or did Quincy act rudely? Tell me who it was. I’ll take care of them for you.”

I was suddenly filled with warmth.

When I first joined Prospera Group, it took all of my effort to win Elena as my client.

At that time, some street thugs had harassed her younger sister. I grabbed an iron pipe and rushed toward them without hesitation.

I drove the thugs away, and her sister was safe. Unfortunately, I broke my pinky.

When you put your heart into your work, you gained more than just a top sales title. You gained friends who truly had your back.

After speaking with Elena, I called several other key clients.

They had heard about Seth’s schemes before. They disapproved of his tactics, and they were more than willing to help me get back at him.

Once everything was arranged, I packed up my things and asked Seth to approve my leave.

After a busy year, I finally had a chance to catch a break. I had saved up hundreds of vacation hours.

Seth assumed that he had won and approved my leave without even checking it.

He had no idea that just one day later, he would be as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof.

The factory still had yet to receive its final payment, and the workers were threatening to strike. Meanwhile, Seth kept calling me nonstop.

I was lying on a beach in Thesonita and enjoying the sun, so I kept my phone on silent.

The next day, Quincy could not sit still either. He sent me several messages in a row.

[Why haven’t next year’s orders been confirmed? The procurement team needs the numbers to order materials. I need a reply before the end of the day.]

I put on my sunglasses and calmly replied, [I’m on vacation. Don’t disturb me.]

The moment I sent the message, Quincy gave me a call.

“What time is it? You’re still on vacation? The price of raw materials has jumped in recent years, and production is limited. If you don’t deal with this now, other companies will take everything! Without materials, how will the factory produce next year?

“Ruby, I’m ordering you to return to the office immediately! Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for any losses!”

I brushed the sand off my legs and ordered a cocktail as I watched the sunset over the ocean.

“Mr. Langley, how much has the company lost in total?”

There was a brief pause on the other end followed by the sound of tapping on a calculator.

“About five million.”

I laughed. “What a coincidence. The company took my car that was worth 500,000 dollars, and now, you’re losing over five million. This shows you can’t take what isn’t yours. Otherwise, the price you pay could end up ten times higher.”

Quincy panicked and yelled, “Ruby, is this your doing?! Come back here right now!”