One Cup of Coffee, One Ruined Career

The day I closed the biggest deal of the year for the company, I drank a single milk tea from the client, and the intern I was training reported me for taking kickbacks.

Not only were all my bonuses and commissions cancelled, I was demoted a full level.

The intern who reported me sailed through to a permanent position and took over the project I'd handled.

When I confronted her, all she did was blink at me.

"Sis, if you take a drink from someone, of course you'll cut them some slack~"

"Reporting you was for your own good. It'll keep you from making a big mistake down the road. You should be thanking me!"

The intern walked off, pleased with herself.

But a few days later, the client stormed straight into the company over her, because she'd packed up the lobster and king crab left on the dinner table to take home.

When she came to me for help, I gave a scornful shake of my head.

"Take a drink from someone and you owe them, take a gift and you're compromised. Learn your lesson now so you don't make a bigger mistake later. I can't help you!"

...

"A milk tea, and you'll take even that? Do you have any respect for the company left? Do you even know what your job is?"

The manager slammed the desk so hard it rattled, spit flying all over me.

The office door stood wide open, and outside every coworker was craning their neck, waiting to enjoy the show.

"Manager, it was just an ordinary milk tea. It doesn't count as a kickback at all," I couldn't help arguing.

"Still talking back!"

The manager pounded the desk again, hard enough to make the teacup jump.

"Why would they give it only to you and no one else?"

"With that kind of character, grabbing every little freebie, how could anyone dare hand the account to you? You're off the account. Come find me when you've straightened out your head!"

I clenched my fists and, under a whole room of mocking eyes, walked numbly back to my desk.

The moment I sat down, a face plump with collagen leaned in close.

"Sis, you're not going to blame me, are you?"

Kitty Fox twisted her fingers together, her big eyes brimming with innocence.

I looked at her coldly and didn't want to say a single word.

"Pfft."

Kitty suddenly covered her mouth and let out a soft giggle.

"Sis, don't be so petty. I reported you for your own good too."

"Take a drink from someone and you owe them, take a gift and you're compromised. I was just keeping you from waving clients through later and making an even bigger mistake!"

I found it utterly absurd.

"Waving them through? We're the vendor. We spend every day begging the client to pay us. What exactly could I wave through for them?"

Kitty pursed her lips, her tone airy.

"Who knows. What if you were taking kickbacks on the side?"

"Anyway, Sis, the manager said the coordination on this project is fully mine to handle from now on."

"So stop being so small-minded and sulking."

Watching her sway off, I felt my heart twist in wave after wave of pain.

Back during campus recruitment, Kitty's résumé was so weak she got turned away everywhere, and she stood bawling in the hallway.

I felt sorry for her, so I took the pressure of bringing in someone nobody wanted and taught her everything myself, hand over hand.

I never imagined I'd raised an ingrate.

"Attention, everyone. Milk tea's on me today!"

Kitty's voice suddenly rang out across the office.

The coworkers burst into cheers and crowded around her.

Kitty held up her phone, smug, and came over to me again.

"Sis, what do you want? How about a mint milk green tea?"

She looked at me with a sweet little smile, leaning hard on those last three words.

It was exactly the flavor of the milk tea the client had bought me before.