Chapter 2

The next day, I arrived at the company promptly.

Passing the CEO's office, I saw Brandon leisurely sipping coffee through the frosted glass.

I didn't stop, heading straight for the finance department.

"Good morning, Ms. Miller."

The Finance Director immediately stood up when she saw me.

"Pull up all original contracts from the sales department for the past three months, along with their corresponding transaction records."

My voice was ice-cold.

"All of them?" Ms. Davis seemed surprised but complied immediately.

Half an hour later, mountains of documents were delivered to my office.

I asked my assistant, Sarah, to brew the strongest black coffee, closed the door, and began to scrutinize each one.

Chloe Smith, as the "sales champion" for two consecutive quarters, her performance data was suspiciously perfect.

I pulled out all her contracts.

Soon, I found the problem.

Three of her largest clients accounted for seventy percent of her total performance.

And all three companies were registered in the Cayman Islands.

The contract terms were absurdly lenient, with almost no binding power.

The upfront payment ratio was as low as 5%, but the collection period stretched to a year. Even the breach-of-contract clauses were vague and ambiguous.

This wasn't doing business; this was a classic case of illicit fund transfers.

Brandon was using company money to plug the hole left by Chloe Smith's brother's failed overseas investments.

Then, through fake trade, he laundered this money, turning it into Chloe Smith's seemingly legitimate sales commissions.

What a sophisticated scheme.

I picked up the internal phone: "Send out a notice. The entire sales department is to conduct a quarterly compliance self-audit."

Hanging up, I took Sarah and walked directly to the sales department.

Chloe Smith was sitting at her most prominent workstation, touching up her lipstick in a small mirror.

The Bentley car key, with the limited-edition princess LEGO dangling from it, was carelessly tossed on her desk, as if she was afraid no one would see it.

Several young sales assistants were gathered around her, calling her "Chloe."

"Chloe, your keychain is so unique, limited edition, right?"

"Of course, that's called taste, not everyone understands it."

She looked smug, basking in being the center of attention.

When I walked in, everyone immediately fell silent and stood up.

Only she remained firmly seated, not even changing her posture.

She even deliberately raised her hand, picked up the car keys, and twirled them carelessly between her fingers.

Her eyes held blatant provocation.

The air instantly solidified. Everyone held their breath, feeling the silent, tense atmosphere.

Chloe Smith spoke first.

"Ms. Miller, here to inspect our work?"

She dangled the keys.

"This little thing, isn't it cute? It's a limited edition, you know."

"Only those who truly appreciate its value deserve to own it."

A faint curve appeared on my lips, but the smile didn't reach my eyes.

"Taste?"

I spoke slowly, my voice clear and cold.

"Only someone so small-minded would consider a piece of industrial plastic, costing mere dollars, a rare treasure to flaunt everywhere."

"It seems Supervisor Smith's aspirations extend no further than that."

Her face instantly turned pale.

I took two steps forward, stopping in front of her, looking down.

"As for deserving it or not…"

I leaned in slightly, whispering into her ear,

"You picked up my discarded trash, and instead of being ashamed, you wear it like a badge of honor."

"Since you love it so much, it's yours."

"After all, trash belongs in the trash can."

She tried to say something else, but I straightened up and walked directly to the bulletin board.

Slap.

I pinned the freshly printed notice right in the middle of the board.

"Everyone, take a good look, and think about whether the contracts in your hands can withstand scrutiny."

Chloe stared at the notice, a flicker of panic in her eyes.

Then she composed herself, a defiant confidence settling over her.

I returned to my office and immediately called the Legal Director, Mr. Johnson.

"Initiate a top-tier investigation procedure. Contact our partnered external audit team."

"Remember, keep it confidential."

My phone vibrated.

It was a SnapChat message from Brandon: "Honey, what are you doing? Are you okay?"

I stared at the words on the screen and typed a reply.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm preparing a gift for you."