Enduring weeks of eating and sleeping inside the manufacturing plant under 113°F heat,
I finally developed a breakthrough product worth billions.
Because it was unbearably hot, I casually grabbed three ice creams from the fridge.
The next day, HR handed me a fine notice stating a penalty of $900,000.
I thought it must be a mistake and ignored it.
But the following day, the new assistant blocked me at the door.
“You ate the imported ice cream that Mr. Richard Collins bought for me. Why haven’t you paid for it?”
Emily Parker shook the fine in my face, the papers crackling, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it at me.
“Yesterday it was $900,000. With interest, today it’s $9 million!”
“If you can’t pay, then get out of this company!”
CEO Richard Collins chimed in,
“As a senior manager, you must accept this penalty. Otherwise, how can Emily earn respect from others?”
I stared at the computer screen, where the newly developed billion-dollar product was displayed,
and calmly replied, “Fine. I’ll pay the $9 million. If you want me gone, I’ll leave.”
…
Hearing Emily order me to pay $9 million, I could hardly believe it.
“Three ice creams, $9 million? Emily, are you serious?”
Hands on her hips, she snapped back,
“Company rules aren’t a joke. And the fine has Richard’s signature on it.”
Looking at the familiar name “Richard Collins” on the document, I still refused to believe it.
I crumpled the paper and knocked on Richard’s office door.
“Richard, this must be a mistake.”
Without lifting his eyelids, he said, “No mistake. As a senior executive, you should lead by example. If you refuse to pay, how will Emily manage anyone?”
“But… $9 million for three ice creams? That’s absurd.”
“They were custom-made and flown in from overseas. $9 million isn’t too much.”
“Besides, didn’t the company just pay you a $10 million bonus last month? Perfect timing!”
Ha! Now I understood.
This wasn’t about three ice creams. It was about clawing back my $10 million bonus. They were staging this together!
A year ago, my team and I practically lived in the manufacturing plant, crunching data and running models day and night.
Many went half a year without a single vacation. Even when their wives gave birth or their parents were sick, Richard wouldn’t allow leave.
“Everyone, listen. The deadlines are tight. I hope we can all pull through together!”
“When the project succeeds, I’ll give you a bonus worth 10% of market value.”
To cheers, we accepted his promise.
After endless sleepless nights, we finally delivered the project on time, bringing the company profits of over $100 million.
But when it was time to distribute bonuses, Richard kicked us out and denied his own promise.
As team leader, I couldn’t swallow that insult and fought him head-on.
Eventually, he reluctantly handed out the bonuses.
I thought it was over, but he clearly had been waiting for another excuse to take that money back.
In truth, out of the $10 million, I only kept $300,000. The rest I shared with my employees.
For me, millions was already an astronomical figure.
I tried to calm my anger and reason with him.
“Richard, that $10 million bonus was divided among my team. I only received $300,000.”
