The Price of Greed

Only I knew that she was lighting the fire under herself.

On Friday night, I was at home building blocks with my daughter when Noah suddenly called.

“Ava, where are you?”

His voice sounded irritated.

“At home with my kid,” I replied calmly.

“Why isn’t the fuel card working? John went to fill up and said it’s frozen!”

“Oh, that’s a personal card I applied for. I lost it a couple of days ago, so I reported it,” I said, continuing to stack the blocks.

“You…” Noah choked for a moment, then shouted after a few seconds. “Unfreeze it immediately! We have an important client to pick up tomorrow!”

“To lift the freeze, I have to go to the counter in person. They’re closed on weekends, and I don’t have time.”

“Ava! Are you doing this on purpose?” Noah snapped. “It’s just some reimbursement. Do you have to be so petty? If this delays company business, can you take responsibility?”

“Mr. Anderson.”

I cut him off, my voice cold as ice.

“First of all, that was my card. I can stop it whenever I want. Second, if the company is using the car, why has it been charging my fuel card this whole time? The monthly fuel allowance Finance gives the driver, where exactly did that go?”

The line went silent.

That allowance did exist. However, where it ended up—Noah knew, as did John.

Before, I didn’t argue because I thought the company was just starting out, and everyone had it tough.

Now, I wasn’t going to tolerate it anymore.

“Fine, Ava. Fine.” Noah gritted his teeth. “The company will pay for its own fuel! From now on, don’t expect to benefit from anything in this company!”

“That’s fine,” I said lightly.

After hanging up, I looked out at the pitch-black night and let out a soft laugh.

The real show was just beginning.

On Sunday night, I made copies of all the receipts for the expenses I had covered over the years, and then I pulled out the lease agreement.

The contract clearly stated the end date, which was tomorrow.

If it wasn’t renewed, their continued use of the space would count as illegal occupancy.

After thinking for a moment, I sent a message to the agent.

[Tomorrow at 10 a.m., bring a new client to view the property.]

The reply came quickly.

[Got it, Ava. Your location is in high demand. A financial firm is willing to pay double the rent.]

[That works. As long as it’s not the current company, anyone can rent it.]

Once I had arranged everything, I poured myself a glass of red wine and gently swirled it.

Tomorrow was going to be lively.

Mr. Parker will be coming for an inspection. The agent will be bringing people to view the office. Winnie will also be trying to prove herself.

And I would start pulling in the net.

I took out a sheet of paper and listed everything that could be calculated, one by one.

Vehicle value: 4,000,000.

Purchase tax: 320,000.

Three years of insurance: 120,000.

Three years of maintenance: 100,000.

Three years of fuel: 80,000.

Rent difference: 1,500,000.

Salary advances: 600,000.

Total: 6,720,000.

That was only what could be calculated.

It didn’t include my connections or the three years of effort I had put in.

Looking at that number, I felt nothing but irony.

I had spent millions raising a group of ungrateful people.

Not only that, but they even turned around and accused me of taking advantage of the company.

A penalty of $128,000?

What a joke.

Tomorrow, I will make them pay it all back with interest.

…

The next morning, the company was filled with a tense yet excited atmosphere.

Everyone was pretending to be especially busy.

Winnie wore a brand-new white business suit, her makeup flawless. She stood straight at the company entrance like she was waiting for an inspection, her face full of anticipation.