My Employees Called Me Cheap, So I Quit

“Ms. Lee, if we don’t say something soon, this backlash is going to spiral completely out of control.”

I waved my hand and pushed the PR plan aside.

“No need.”

My voice was frighteningly calm.

“No clarification. Prepare a new notice.”

My assistant froze, at a complete loss. “Ms. Lee, are we really doing this? What if...”

I cut her off. “Do it.”

I stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Downstairs, I could even see several media vans parked outside.

I gave a self-mocking smile.

I had not lost to Tara.

I had lost to my own ridiculous kindness.

From today on, I, Vivian Lee, would be nothing more than a businesswoman.

I picked up my phone and called my assistant’s line.

“Notify all employees. Tomorrow morning at nine, everyone is to be in the main conference room on time. We’ll discuss the final plan for this year’s Memorial Day benefits.”

On the other end, my assistant sounded hesitant.

“Ms. Lee, are you... going to compromise?”

“No.”

I looked out the window and said each word clearly.

“This is a test.”

At eight fifty the next morning, the main conference room was already packed.

Everyone was there. For the first time in company history, not a single person was late or absent.

The air buzzed with excitement that no one could quite suppress. Whispers and laughter rose and fell across the room.

Tara and Greg sat in the front row, surrounded by colleagues as if they were celebrities.

Greg was bragging with great enthusiasm. “I told you all. Vivian only listens when people stop being nice. There’s power in numbers!”

Tara’s face was bright with unconcealed victory. She even took out her phone and started a livestream.

The title of the stream was glaring.

[Justice Will Defeat Greedy Bosses! Watch History Happen With Me!]

At exactly nine, I walked into the conference room.

Every eye in the room turned to me at once. Some were gloating, some were waiting for a show, and some looked worried.

I walked to the front. I did not open the prepared PowerPoint. I simply placed my phone on the lectern connected to the projector.

Then I faced the room and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry.”

The room erupted.

In Tara’s livestream, the comments flooded in instantly.

[The boss apologized!]

[Gen Z did it!]

I straightened and continued.

“Because of my stubbornness, I ignored how much everyone values a sense of occasion. Because I handled this improperly, I also brought tremendous negative attention to the company.

“So here, I apologize to all of you.”

Applause began. Sparse at first, then louder and warmer.

Greg took the lead and called out, “Vivian knows how to correct a mistake. We support you!”

Several employees echoed him.

“Long live Vivian!”

Tara looked even prouder. She pointed the camera at me as if showing off a trophy.

I waited until the applause died down, then changed direction.

“Since everyone online seems so concerned about our holiday traditions, I spent all night carefully considering this year’s Memorial Day benefits. I have decided to make a major adjustment.”

Everyone held their breath.

They were waiting for me to announce a double reward.