At the New Year's Eve family dinner, my father distributed the "Founder's Shares Bonus" for the family business. My older brother got some. My adopted sister got some. Even my unborn nephew in my sister-in-law's belly got a share. Only I got nothing. "Mandy, you're a girl. Eventually, you'll marry out. The shares can't flow to outsiders." I froze, pressing my lips together in silence. They seemed to have forgotten that I was the one who funded 90% of this company and slaved away for five years to build it from the ground up. The next day, I convened an emergency board meeting: "Since the company is now on the right track, I am withdrawing all my capital to pursue my own ventures." 1 The dining table for the Sterling family's New Year's Eve dinner was full. I had just rushed back from the airport, dusty and tired. I spent three grueling days negotiating a hundred-million-dollar contract before the client finally caved. "You're back?" My father, Richard Sterling, sat at the head of the table, radiating the authority of a patriarch. Unfortunately, that authority was built on the company I had painstakingly propped up. I nodded and sat down. "Dad, what was the important announcement you mentioned?" Richard finally looked up, a smile breaking across his stern face. "The company is going public next month. I called you all back today to take advantage of the New Year and distribute the founder's shares as a bonus." The living room fell silent. My older brother, Leo, immediately sat up straight, uncrossing his legs. My adopted sister, Snow, paused with her teacup, her face a mask of gentle obedience. My sister-in-law, five months pregnant, leaned into Leo's embrace in surprise. Watching Richard pull three documents from his briefcase, I instinctively straightened up too. "Leo." Richard called my brother's name. Leo stood up instantly, unable to hide the smugness on his face. "30% of the company's founder shares, worth $36 million. It's yours. Work hard, don't let me down." Leo took the document and stuffed it into his pocket without even looking at it. "Dad, don't worry. I won't let you down." My grip on the teacup tightened. 30%. "Snow." Richard called my adopted sister's name. Snow's eyes lit up as she trotted over. "You've worked hard taking care of your mother and me all these years. This 20% share, worth $24 million, is what you deserve." Snow took the document, her eyes red. "Thank you, Daddy. You're so good to me. I'll take good care of you forever." Everyone's eyes in the dining room fell on me. I put down my teacup and looked at Richard. The remaining 50% should be mine. After all, from beginning to end, I was the one holding this company together. Richard pulled the last document from his briefcase. I was about to stand up. "Leo." He called my brother's name again. I froze. "The child in your wife's belly is the eldest grandson of the Sterling family. This 10% share, worth $12 million, is reserved for him." Leo's wife covered her mouth and giggled. "Dad, you're too good to us." I watched Leo take the document, my mind going blank. "Dad," I spoke, my voice calmer than I expected. "What about me?" Richard finally looked at me, frowning. "Mandy, you're a girl. You'll marry sooner or later. Shares can't go to outsiders. That's the rule." "Besides, you're capable. You can earn on your own. You don't need this. Why fight with your siblings?" Leo laughed loudly. "Exactly. Giving it to you would just benefit some wild man outside. Big brother will give you a red envelope later." Snow chimed in with fake sweetness, "Big sister is so capable, she surely doesn't care about these material things, unlike useless me." I scanned their faces one by one, downed my wine in one gulp, and smiled. "Dad's right. I don't lack this little bit." I turned and left, leaving the room in stunned silence. As I reached the door, my stepmother chased after me, grabbing my arm and raising her voice: "Mandy! Who are you showing attitude to on New Year's? Are you happy only when everyone is miserable?" Me? Making everyone miserable? I shook off her hand and sneered. "If I hadn't sold the tech company I founded and used my entire inheritance from my grandfather to fill the Sterling family's financial black hole, you'd all be bankrupt by now!" "You take my shares and give them away, did anyone consider if I was happy today?" "Even the adopted sister gets shares, but I'm an outsider? Fine. Since I'm an outsider, we'll do things the outsider's way." 2 9:00 AM. Sterling Group Main Conference Room. As the CEO, I convened an emergency all-hands shareholder meeting. The room was packed. Every shareholder was present, except for three empty seats on the stage—Chairman Richard Sterling, New Director Leo, and New Director Snow. Typical of them. Five years ago, the Sterling Group was insolvent. Richard begged everywhere, but no one would lend him money. I sold my successful tech startup, liquidated the trust fund, antiques, and mansions left by my grandfather, and scraped together $90 million to inject into the Sterling account. Before the transfer, I signed an agreement with Richard containing a clause: If the equity change is not completed within five years, the capital injection automatically converts to a personal loan. The creditor has the right to demand full repayment at any time, with compound interest. This was meant to be a risk prevention measure. I never thought it would become a prophecy. Shares for the adopted sister with no blood relation. Shares for a fetus. None for me. Then what was my five years of turning the tide and working myself to the bone for? One question, and I realized I was the only outsider. My heart turned ice cold. Since he says I'm an outsider, this money is an external debt. Don't blame me for being ruthless. I opened the PPT and displayed a financial report. "Gentlemen, the Sterling Group's cash flow and operations are on track. The market value has reached a five-year high." The shareholders applauded, thinking I was announcing dividends or IPO news. "Since the company is on the right track, my mission is over." I paused. "I formally announce that I am withdrawing all personal funds I lent to the company. I will resign to pursue my own endeavors." The room exploded. A shareholder jumped up in disbelief. "Withdraw? That's $90 million!" "The company is facing the final IPO review next week. That $90 million accounts for 90% of the liquid capital! If you pull it, the capital chain will snap immediately!" "Supplier payments aren't settled, bank loans are due next month, and thousands of employee salaries... If this money moves, the Sterling Group is finished!" I nodded. "Correct. I've made my decision." Shareholders tried to persuade me. "Mandy, this is five years of your blood and sweat. How can you bear to watch it collapse?" "We're all in the same boat. We can discuss anything." I shook my head. "Sorry. Due to private reasons within the Sterling family, which I cannot disclose." "Private reasons?" I looked at them, feeling a twinge of regret. We worked well together for five years. As minority shareholders, they didn't cause trouble and supported my decisions. In return, I gave them ample dividends at the end of the year. I pulled the agreement from my file and placed it on the table. "This is the agreement I signed when I injected the capital. You can see for yourselves." The nearest shareholder picked it up and read aloud. His voice grew quieter, his face uglier. "This... Richard is insane! A debt-to-equity swap agreement, and he dragged it out until it became pure debt!" It's debt. I can take it back. Dead silence in the conference room. A few seconds later, someone jumped up and grabbed their phone. "I'll call the Chairman!" "You can't do this!" Five or six shareholders dialed simultaneously. The room filled with beeping tones. However, no one answered. "What's going on? Why isn't the Chairman answering?" "Leo isn't picking up either!" "Snow? Snow's phone is off too!" I watched the anxious shareholders and took a sip of tea. No need to call. I've seen it clearly over the last five years. As long as I was at the company, they didn't worry about a thing. Richard liked taking my stepmother to the Maldives for two months at a time. Leo lived in casinos and clubs, his phone always on silent. Snow was busy with socialite gatherings, updating her Instagram more often than work reports. They were used to being hands-off. Used to me blocking the wind and rain. Only this time, no one was there to save them. As the CFO hit enter, $90 million plus interest transferred into my account. I closed my laptop and nodded to the ashen-faced shareholders. "Gentlemen, until we meet again." My phone rang. It was Leo. The shareholders looked at me with hope. 3 I answered the phone. "Mandy, transfer me $500,000." Leo's voice was urgent, background noise filled with slot machines and shouting. "Bad luck just now, lost a big hand!" Normally, I would yell at him and have security drag him back. But now, I nodded. "Okay." "What did you say?" Leo couldn't believe it. "I said okay, brother." My voice was light. "Is $500,000 enough? I'll send a million. It's New Year's, you worked hard all year. Have fun." "Really?" Leo's voice pitched up. "I knew my little sister was the best! Dad just scolded me for wasting money. Transfer it quick, I'm going to win it all back!" "Arranging it now." "Great! Thanks Mandy, I'll treat you to dinner when I win!" Hanging up, I looked at Old Zhang, the CFO. "Ms. Sterling." His voice trembled. He knew I hadn't taken a single dividend in five years. Now that Leo had shares, he could technically withdraw dividends. "Old Zhang, transfer one million from the company account to Director Leo." "Ms. Sterling?" Old Zhang gasped. "You just withdrew the principal. There's only $1.2 million left. That's for next month's payroll and bank interest. If you transfer this, the account is empty!" "Transfer it." I smiled. "Note it clearly: Director Leo urgent need, advance on personal dividends." Old Zhang paused for a second, then nodded. "Understood." Ding. A picture from Snow. A Himalaya Birkin bag. A voice message followed: "Sister, I'm at Hermes. This bag requires $200,000 in spend to buy. Dad limited my secondary card. Can you have finance transfer it? I'm a shareholder now, I can afford it." I looked at the picture, the corner of my mouth lifting. I looked at Old Zhang again. "Old Zhang, how much is left?" Old Zhang sounded like he was about to cry. "Ms. Sterling, after the one million transfer, only $203,000 left. That includes next week's utility and property management fees..." "Transfer that $200,000 to Snow." "What?!" "Note: Director Snow advance on dividends, for luxury goods purchase." "But Ms. Sterling, that will zero out the account! We won't even have money for printer paper!" "Transfer." Old Zhang sighed heavily and processed the request. Immediately, a roar erupted in the conference room. "What's happening? Why is the balance zero?" "That one million went to Leo for gambling? And this $200,000?" "Snow? Buying a bag?!" A white-haired shareholder smashed his teacup on the floor. "Sinful! Leo gambles with the company's lifeblood, Snow buys bags with the utility money! This is the heir Richard chose!" "Richard is blind! Throwing away the God of Wealth to worship two prodigals!" "It's over. The Sterling Group is empty." Listening to the wailing and cursing behind me, I calmly walked out. Snow sent a "Love You" sticker. "Received, thanks sis! You spoil me." I replied with a smiley face. Of course I spoil you. It's not my money anymore. Why not be generous? Just then, another call came in. Richard. The shareholders looked up again, eyes full of expectation. 4 "Mandy, transfer $800,000 to the Antique House." Richard's voice dripped with arrogance. "I saw a Jade Cabbage sculpture. Perfect for feng shui in the new office." I looked out the window. "Dad, no money." "Don't give me that." Richard interrupted impatiently. "Do I have to beg every time? Don't forget, I'm the Chairman now. You used to control the money tight, I let it slide. Today is a happy day, don't block me." "Really no money." "Do you think I'm stupid? $3 million came in yesterday, how can there be no money?" Richard sneered. "Fine, you won't transfer? I'll tell Old Zhang to do it. I'm the legal rep and major shareholder. I'll see who dares stop me. Don't hang up, listen!" The call became a three-way conference. Old Zhang's trembling voice joined in. "Old Zhang, how much is in the account?" "Chair... Chairman... really no money. Ms. Sterling just transferred the last $200,000 to the second miss for a bag..." Richard was silent for two seconds, then exploded. "Fine! You're all on her side, huh? Account empty? Then get a loan from the bank! The company has a $5 million credit line. Max it out now!" Old Zhang wailed on the other end. "Chairman, you can't! That's the last lifeline! The account is empty, if we borrow this $5 million, we can't pay interest next month. The bank will seize assets immediately!" "This is drinking poison to quench thirst, Chairman!" "Shut up!" Richard roared. "Am I the Chairman or you? The company isn't dead yet and you're cursing me? The Jade Cabbage is a must, it's my face! Loan it now or get out, no severance!" "Loan! Do it now!" Old Zhang sobbed, the sound of keyboard typing heavy. "Yes... applying now." Listening, I had to admire Richard's ability to self-destruct. "Dad," I said. "Congratulations. Sterling Group's debt ratio just broke the red line. With this $5 million loan plus previous debts, the company is insolvent." "You know nothing!" Richard gloated. "Once my Jade Cabbage is here, the company's luck will turn. What's a little money! You just can't stand seeing me spend!" "Okay," I laughed. "Enjoy your Cabbage." I hung up and shook my head. Sterling Group could have limped along for a few days. Now with this high-interest loan, the collapse would be twice as fast. Even God can't save them now. Curses still echoed from the conference room. I shrugged at the shareholders and slipped away. Five years of hard work, I never even took a vacation. I bought a ticket and went straight to the airport. Money in the account, time on my hands. Feels good! After a spa treatment, I lay on a lounge chair in an island villa, slowly turning on my phone. The moment it booted, the screen exploded with missed calls. 99+. All from Richard, Leo, Snow, and a bunch of shareholders. I opened the company group chat. It was chaos. "Finance Dept Emergency: Insufficient funds, cannot pay suppliers this month!" "HR: Issue with payroll next week, please comfort staff." "Bank just called. Credit line frozen. Next month's loans must be repaid early or legal action follows." "What happened? Wasn't there money yesterday?" "Where's Mandy? Where did the CEO go?" "CEO resigned. Find the Chairman." "Chairman? Why isn't he answering!"
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