At the end of the year, I treated a business partner to dinner, spending a thousand dollars. When I went to claim the reimbursement, Bethany Hayes, Ethan Carter’s childhood friend, transferred fifty dollars to my Venmo. I messaged her, asking if it was a mistake. Bethany immediately shot back, launching into a furious tirade. “Have you no shame? Fifty dollars is more than enough for two people! You’re clearly just trying to fleece the company.” I tried to explain that this was a fifty-million-dollar project, and we couldn’t skimp on a client dinner. A cheap meal wouldn’t set the right tone for negotiations. But Bethany wouldn’t listen. Frustrated, I called Ethan, asking him to back me up. He glared at me, his face cold. “Negotiating deals is about competence, not about a single meal. You’ve been taking advantage of company funds under the guise of business deals for years, Emily. Don’t push your luck.” The next day, I took a major client from Prescott Holdings to a roadside diner. After the hundred-million-dollar deal fell through, Ethan lost his mind. … “Venmo payment received: Fifty dollars.” I stared at the notification on my phone, then looked at Bethany. “Bethany, did you make a mistake? I spent a thousand dollars on dinner with Mr. Davies yesterday. Here’s the receipt.” Bethany merely flicked her eyes at me, a look of utter impatience on her face. “Weren’t there just two of you for dinner?” I nodded. She scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Then there’s no mistake. Fifty dollars is perfectly enough for two people to eat. How on earth did you spend a thousand? You’re clearly just trying to fleece the company.” I was speechless, struggling to keep my anger in check. “Bethany, the project I was discussing with Mr. Davies yesterday is worth over fifty million dollars. You can’t seriously expect to close a deal like that over a fifty-dollar meal.” She rolled her eyes at me, completely unfazed. “Excuses are just cover-ups. If you want to take advantage of the company, just say so. Don’t use business deals as an excuse. Don’t push your luck. You’re lucky I even gave you fifty dollars.” With that, she threw the receipt at my face and spat, “Get out! Don’t bother me while I’m working.” I was fuming. Trembling, I pulled out my phone and called Ethan Carter. Bethany sneered when she saw me dial his number. “Have some shame, Emily. Do you really think you can exploit the company just because you’re Ethan’s girlfriend?” I was beyond arguing with Bethany. Ethan was the company owner; he should understand. A few minutes later, Ethan stormed into the finance office, a scowl on his face. Seeing me, he snapped, “Emily, can you please stop stirring up trouble? Bethany is incredibly busy, and you’re just making things harder for her. Why are you so high-maintenance?” His words stunned me. I couldn’t believe Ethan would say that. I held out the receipt and the Venmo transfer to him. “How am I stirring up trouble? I spent a thousand dollars treating Mr. Davies to dinner, and she only reimbursed me fifty. That’s not even pocket change.” Ethan glanced at Bethany. Bethany’s eyes immediately welled up, and she began to sob. “Oh, Ethan, I don’t know what I did to offend Emily. She’s accusing me in front of everyone in the company. I was just trying to protect the company’s interests! If even that makes me wrong, then I’ll just resign!” Ethan instantly pulled Bethany into a comforting embrace, his voice gentle and soothing. “Bethany, you’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t be upset.” Then, he hurled his phone straight at my face. My cheek instantly swelled, throbbing. He followed by tearing the receipt into shreds and flinging the pieces at me. “Emily, it’s just a bit of money! Do you really have to be so petty about it? Fifty dollars is enough for two people, but you insisted on spending a thousand. Taking advantage of the company is one thing, but then threatening Bethany? Have you no shame?” “And stop bringing up the client deal! Mr. Davies would partner with our company because of our capabilities, not because of one dinner! Stop trying to take credit for yourself!” I clutched my stinging cheek, my heart pounding with rage. I forced myself to speak through clenched teeth. “Fifty dollars for two people, that’s twenty-five dollars per person. So, from now on, the company’s entertainment budget is twenty-five dollars per person?” Ethan frowned, realizing something was off, and was about to speak. But Bethany cut him off. “What’s wrong with twenty-five dollars per person? You usually only spend about fifteen dollars on your own cafeteria meals, don’t you? Why are you suddenly so keen on fleecing the company now? Besides, if one meal could decide a partnership, why don’t we just open a restaurant instead of a company?” Ethan nodded, deep in thought. “Bethany’s right. I won’t dwell on the past, Emily. But from now on, the entertainment standard is twenty-five dollars per person. Don’t even think about taking another cent from the company.” My heart turned to ice. I managed a cold, bitter laugh and nodded. “Alright. If that’s how it is, then I’ll follow company policy from now on. I promise not to spend a single cent more.” Ethan looked pleased. “Emily, even though you’re my girlfriend, business is business. Bethany works hard, don’t cause trouble for her all the time.” I simply hummed in agreement, signaling I’d understood. Bethany shot me a smug, triumphant look, then settled back with an air of superior satisfaction. I turned and left. That afternoon, Ethan suddenly called me. He said Prescott Holdings was looking to invest a hundred million dollars in our company’s new project. Since I had previously liaised with Prescott Holdings, he wanted me to arrange a dinner, emphasizing that securing the investment was paramount. I agreed, paused for a moment, then asked, “How many people for this dinner?” Ethan thought for a moment. “Mr. Prescott, you, and me. Three people total.” I said, “Got it,” and hung up. Three people. Seventy-five dollars. What to eat? I remembered the barbecue place in the food market next door. They had both food and drinks. Seventy-five dollars wouldn't get us a full meal, but it would be barely enough. That evening, I led Ethan and Mr. Prescott to a roadside barbecue joint on the main street. I found the owner, asked for two rickety stools, and motioned for them to sit down. “Mr. Prescott, please, have a seat! What would you like to drink? How about some cheap whiskey?” Mr. Prescott stood motionless, his face etched with disgust. Ethan nervously pulled me aside. “Emily, what is going on? I told you to arrange a proper dinner! What kind of arrangement is this?” I feigned innocence. Just then, the owner brought out three complimentary side dishes. I thanked him cheerfully, then slowly replied to Ethan. “Ethan, the meal standard is twenty-five dollars per person. For three of us, that’s seventy-five, right? This is the most cost-effective place. The owner even gave us three free side dishes!” Mr. Prescott scoffed. “A hundred-million-dollar project, and in your eyes, it’s only worth discussing at a roadside stall?” Ethan frantically tried to explain that wasn’t it at all. But I quickly cut in. “Mr. Prescott, our boss doesn’t mean that. He simply believes that securing a project depends on the capabilities of both companies, not on one meal. As long as you can fill your stomach, that’s what matters. Or are you implying you wanted to take advantage of our company through this meal?” Ethan shoved me. “Emily, stop spouting nonsense!” Mr. Prescott’s face was cold as he uttered, “You’re both quite something. Rest assured, I won’t take a single cent from your company. This partnership is off.” With that, Mr. Prescott turned and walked away. Ethan frantically tried to explain, but Mr. Prescott simply got into his car and drove off. Ethan turned to me, so furious he kicked over the table. “Emily, were you doing this on purpose? Do you have any idea how important that deal was to the company?” I widened my eyes, feigning utter innocence. “But Ethan, I was just following company policy! Didn’t you and Bethany say it was twenty-five dollars per person? Spending more would be taking advantage of the company. Last time, I paid nine hundred and fifty dollars out of my own pocket; this time, I learned my lesson.” Ethan pointed at me, speechless with rage, and stormed away. The next day, as I arrived at the company, I ran into Bethany. She glanced at me, her tone superior. “Emily, how can you still show your face at the company after ruining such a huge project?” I remained unfazed. “How did I ruin it? I was simply following company policy, wasn’t I? Besides, didn’t you say the entertainment budget was twenty-five dollars per person?” Ethan emerged from his office, and Bethany immediately ran to hide behind him, her face a picture of wronged innocence. “Oh, Ethan, I just said a few things to Emily, and she’s blaming everything on me!” Ethan, full of concern, hugged Bethany. Then he threw a termination letter at my face. “Emily, you’re fired. Don’t bother coming back to the company anymore. Bethany will be taking over your position as General Manager.” I let out a soft laugh. “Alright. But according to my contract, you owe me three times my salary as compensation.” Ethan readily agreed, looking down at me with an air of smug superiority. “Emily, did you really think I wouldn’t dare fire you?” I was genuinely surprised, as most of the company’s projects were still under my management. Bethany clung to Ethan’s arm, a triumphant smirk on her face. “I happened to meet the CEO of Sterling Corp. They’re offering us a partnership for their billion-dollar Westside project. That one project is worth more than all the hundreds you brought in combined.” So, that was it. They thought I was no longer useful, that’s why they fired me. I thought for a moment. Sterling Corp… If I wasn’t mistaken, that was my grandfather’s company. Just a few days ago, my grandfather had asked me to come work for them, hinting that he wanted me to inherit the company someday. After transferring my severance pay, Ethan impatiently urged me to leave. “Emily, as of today, we’re over. You and I have nothing to do with each other anymore.” “Alright,” I said calmly. Ethan, seeing that I wasn’t crying or pleading, didn't look entirely pleased. After leaving the company, I called my grandfather. “Grandpa, I got fired. I’d like to come work for your company.” My grandfather sounded ecstatic, barely able to contain his joy. “Wonderful! The company just happens to have an opening for a Junior VP. Come straight in.” The next day, I packed my things and headed directly to Sterling Corp. At the entrance, I ran into Ethan and Bethany.
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