Chapter 3

At 5:10 PM, I was waiting outside the boss's office 10 minutes early.

Time ticked by second by second. The wall clock soon showed 5:25 PM.

I got anxious. Why hasn't the previous person come out yet?

I asked the secretary. Without looking up, she replied: "Mr. Davis is discussing a project with the boss. If you want to listen in, you can go in."

How could I dare? A big boss and an operations director.

I'm just a nobody. I could only wait patiently.

Soon the minute hand reached 35. Voices came from the door.

The boss and Mr. Davis walked out chatting and laughing. I hurriedly stepped forward.

Respectfully: "Hello, boss. Hello, Mr. Davis."

Mr. Davis's face flashed with displeasure. He still wanted to chat more with the boss, but I'd interrupted.

After saying goodbye to the boss, Mr. Davis left.

The boss didn't linger either, heading straight for his private elevator.

I followed behind the boss like a tail: "Boss, I'm Rachel, the project lead for the Cloud Shadow Intelligent Security Defense Platform. Our project was originally due in two weeks but suddenly needs to be completed in 5 days."

Seeing we were just steps from the elevator, I sped up: "The team members have all been working overtime. Last night no one went home, causing us to miss clocking out last night and in this morning. Because we don't have leave slips, it can't be removed. HR said we need your approval."

I finished in one breath, feeling a bit short of air.

But I'd finally seen the boss. With just one word from him, our absence records could be removed.

We reached the private elevator. The secretary had already pressed the button, and the elevator was quietly waiting.

The boss walked in and turned to look at me: "Rules are rules. If I make an exception for you today, what about when others ask me tomorrow? Do I help them or not?"

The boss looked at his secretary: "Sarah, just handle these things yourself in the future."

The secretary nodded in acknowledgment.

I was about to say more, begging the boss to be lenient, when the elevator doors slowly closed in front of me.

The secretary left without lingering, turning back towards her office.

I was left alone, staring at the closed elevator doors, feeling lost.

Everyone on the project team sacrifices their time for money, staying late at the office.

But what's the result?

The company's project is successfully delivered, money goes into the boss's pocket.

Employees work diligently for a month, then lose the $300 perfect attendance bonus at month-end, and thousands in year-end bonus.

Even someone like me with a thick skin is thinking of quitting.

How am I supposed to face the people on the project team?

I'd made such confident promises this morning, only to have reality slap me in the face.

I don't remember how I got back to the project office. In the blink of an eye, I was surrounded by everyone.

"Rachel, did the boss agree?" Olivia asked anxiously.

Looking at everyone's expectant faces, I didn't know how to answer.

I just shook my head. This simple gesture seemed to drain all my energy.

The hopeful looks in everyone's eyes instantly dimmed. Olivia's eyes reddened with urgency: "How can this be? Why didn't the boss agree? Rachel, did you not explain it clearly?"

Looking at Olivia, I suddenly felt we were all so pitiful.

We do the work, but don't get a share when it comes to the money.

This world is truly absurd. I smiled self-mockingly, feeling I'd learned another important lesson.

"I explained it clearly to the boss. He said 'rules are rules' and told the secretary to handle these things herself in the future, not to bother him."

Olivia's hand resting on the desk was shaking. The color drained from her face at my words: "Why? How can this be?"

Seeing Olivia like this, Emma, who had been holding back, finally exploded. She pulled over a chair, stood on the desk, and waved her arms: "Look at this everyone! We give our all to the company, and the company treats employees like slaves! How can they bully us like this?"

Suddenly, Emma turned to look at me, her eyes red: "I'm going home today. Whoever wants to work this crappy job can work it. Don't try to stop me!"

For some reason, I also felt the urge to follow Emma, abandon the project, and go home for a good sleep.