Chapter 9: Matt Fights Back

“Matt, the company gives you a job and you turn around and cause trouble!” Mark shouted, voice echoing across the bullpen. “You’re playing with fire, Matt. Quit now and maybe we can forget this ever happened.”

His yelling drew everyone out to watch. I didn’t back down.

“Give me a job? Four hundred a month, making me work all hours? That’s a favor?”

Coworkers exchanged shocked looks, whispering. Apparently, I was the only one getting screwed.

I pointed at Mark: “I won’t let you short me a single cent. You’re paying me everything you owe.”

Mark, clearly unused to being challenged, stomped his feet in rage. “You can’t do your job and you blame others?”

I shot back, “Is this how you talk to your boss? Karen, record all of this—fire me for insubordination, no compensation!”

“Great! Record it all! Didn’t catch it? I’ll say it again—make sure you get it on tape. I want to see you dare fire me.”

Mark’s face went red, veins bulging. Eric, off to the side, muttered, “All this year, you really think you got those results just by running around?”

I turned on him. “What? Just because you’re the manager’s nephew, you can use your connections to steal my bonus?”

I waved my phone. “Here—call our biggest client, Mr. Lee, right now. Let’s see what your relationship is.”

Eric wilted. I sneered. “No phone? Fine, I’ve got it.”

I called Mr. Lee directly. Half the office craned their necks to listen, jaws dropping as I put the call on speaker.

Mark panicked, trying to stop me: “Matt, are you crazy? What’s Mr. Lee got to do with this? Hang up!”

“Afraid of being exposed after doing shady things? I think you’re the crazy one.”

I stepped aside and told Mr. Lee the whole story. If I’m going down, the company’s going down with me. Even if it just causes them trouble, I’ll make sure they feel it.

After hanging up, I pressed harder. “Eric, Mark, and you, Karen—the inspectors came today. If you don’t give me a proper explanation, just wait and see.”

The hum of the fluorescent lights was suddenly deafening. Someone’s phone buzzed on a nearby desk, but no one dared move. Even the usually chatty finance team just stared. I saw someone filming on their phone—this was definitely going to hit the group chat.