To get rid of the rich benefactor for my sister, a favored one
Chapter 1
The day before our yearly performance reviews, my boss, Mr. Henderson, called me into his office.
He said my commission was too high and it was affecting team unity.
He suggested I share some of it with Sarah, the new girl, who also happened to be related to someone higher up.
I said, “Sure, no problem.”
That night, Mr. Henderson received over 300 cancellation requests for apartments.
He frantically called me, begging me to talk to the buyers.
I chuckled and replied, “Nah, I wouldn’t want to affect team unity.”
1.
The tension in Mr. Henderson’s office was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Mary,” he began, “your performance this year has been truly outstanding, and your commission reflects that.”
“However,” he continued, his voice taking on a conciliatory tone, “it’s the end of the year, and we value team harmony above all else. Some colleagues have expressed concerns that your earnings are… well, disproportionate, and it’s creating some resentment.”
I maintained a pleasant smile, my voice even. “My commission is certainly satisfactory.”
He seemed oblivious to the ice in my tone. “We want everyone to feel valued and motivated, Mary.”
“We all recognize your talent, but we also need to support our newer team members, especially Sarah. She comes from a good family, you know, and she’s just finding her feet.”
I nodded slowly, feigning ignorance. “And what exactly are you suggesting, Mr. Henderson?”
He finally dropped the pretense.
“I’m saying, Mary, you wouldn’t miss a little bit of your commission. Sharing some with Sarah would help her get started and boost team morale. You’re so capable; mentoring a junior colleague would be a great contribution to the team.”
“Sure, no problem,” I agreed readily, enjoying his look of surprise. Inside, I was laughing.
Back at the sales office, the atmosphere had shifted.
Colleagues who usually greeted me warmly now avoided eye contact.
“See? Some people just can’t handle money. No matter how much commission they make, they’ll just give it away.”
“Exactly! She acts all high and mighty, but she folded like a cheap suit.”
Sarah sauntered over, a smug grin plastered on her face. “Oh, thank you so much for your generosity, Mary! It’s true what they say: it’s good to have friends in high places.”
I gave her a small smile. “Yes, it’s always helpful to have a mentor.”
Sarah’s smile faltered. She recovered quickly, putting on a pitiful expression. “I’m just so new here, Mary. I really appreciate your help.”
The usual crowd of brown-nosers flocked to Sarah’s side. “Well, Sarah’s different. She has connections.”
Someone muttered, “Looks like Mary’s reign as top salesperson is over.”
I listened to their fawning, a small smile playing on my lips.
Usually, when I closed a deal, I’d buy everyone奶茶 and pastries. Now, the air was thick with snide remarks.
I packed my things, ready to leave.
Mr. Henderson rushed over. “Mary, it’s not even lunchtime. Where are you going?”
“I’m not feeling well,” I said calmly. “I think I’ll take a sick day.”
His eyes narrowed. “Mary, are you upset about the company’s decision?”
I shook my head innocently. “Not at all. I’m happy to cooperate.”
He seemed frustrated. “What about your clients? You need to hand over your accounts.”
I looked up, a knowing smile on my face. “Handing over? Well, Sarah seems eager to learn. She can take over. As a newcomer, I’m sure she won’t mind the extra practice.”
Sarah piped up, “Don’t worry, Mr. Henderson. I’ll do my best.”
Mr. Henderson beamed. “Of course you will! You’re a valuable asset to this company. This is just a stepping stone, Sarah. You have a bright future here.”
I smiled, said nothing, and walked out.
Once outside, I pulled out my phone and texted my family group chat: “Hold off on the final payments, everyone. Things have changed. I’ll let you know when to proceed.”
2.
My phone blew up with replies.
“Mary, what’s going on? Is someone giving you a hard time?”
“I told you, Mary, don’t be so modest! Nobody messes with our family.”
“If you really like selling real estate, why not just buy the company? Be your own boss!”
My mom called before I could finish reading the messages.
“Mary, honey, what happened? Did someone at work upset you?”
I chuckled. “It’s nothing, Mom. Just some office drama.”
She snorted. “If you’re not happy, we’ll buy the company and fire the boss! Don’t hide your true identity, Mary. Let them know who you are.”
I laughed softly. “Mom, it’s fine. I enjoy selling. I like the feeling of closing a deal, the commission, the satisfaction.”
She sighed. “Mary, you take after your father. Always challenging yourself. A perfectly good heiress, and you choose to sell apartments.”
“You knew this already, Mom. I like being anonymous, earning my own money.”
“Anonymous! Your aunts and uncles wanted to buy multiple apartments as employee perks when they found out you worked there. You stopped them. We should have let them. See who would dare to bully you then!”
“Mom, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
“You’re too nice, Mary. Fine, let the commission go. But we won’t tolerate this disrespect. Nobody forces you out of anything!”
I hung up, feeling much better. I went to a nice restaurant for lunch. I deserved a break after all those long hours on my feet. If they wanted my sales, they could have them.
I went home and took a long nap, phone on silent.
In the afternoon, my phone rang. It was Mr. Henderson.
“Mary, why aren’t you back at work?” he snapped.
“I’m seeing a doctor,” I said calmly. “I’ve been pushing myself hard to meet my targets. Time to take care of my health.”
“A little illness shouldn’t take all day! Everyone else is working, but you’re MIA.”
I chuckled. “Mr. Henderson, I’m exercising my legal right to sick leave. I never took a day off when I was breaking sales records. Now that I’m not feeling well, I need to take care of myself.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” he grumbled. “You’re not that important.”
“Mr. Henderson,” I said calmly, “if you continue to speak to me this way, I’ll have to start recording our conversation. I need to protect my rights as an employee.”
He hung up, furious.
A few minutes later, a notification popped up in the work group chat. Mr. Henderson had posted a long, passive-aggressive message about certain individuals who had an inflated sense of self-importance, lacked discipline, and disrupted team harmony.
I smiled and watched as my colleagues chimed in with supportive comments, condemning the “selfish” and “lazy” individual.
I screenshotted everything. Once the flurry of messages died down, I calmly replied, “Duly noted. Thanks for the feedback.”
Silence. Then, one by one, the messages disappeared.
3.
When I arrived at the sales office, Sarah was sitting at my desk, beaming.
Mr. Henderson approached me, his face stern. “Mary, since you asked Sarah to handle your clients, she’ll be using your desk. Consider it a formal handover.”
I shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”
A new client walked in and headed straight for my desk.
Sarah jumped up, greeted him enthusiastically, and began her sales pitch. It seemed to be going well.
Mr. Henderson stood nearby, smirking. “See, Mary? You’re not the only one who can close a deal. Sarah’s doing just fine.”
Sarah finished up, and the team erupted in applause. “Amazing!” “Our rising star!”
Sarah, mimicking my usual gesture, announced, “My treat! Everyone gets boba tea. What’ll you have?”
They all eagerly placed their orders, conveniently excluding me.
The client, overhearing the commotion, smiled. “What a great team! You guys really appreciate Mary.”
Mr. Henderson’s smile faltered. “Oh, it’s just great teamwork. Sarah’s handling Mary’s clients now.”
“Sarah?”
“The young lady who just helped you.”
The client frowned. “Oh, in that case, I’m not signing. I was specifically told to work with Mary. If she’s not available, the deal’s off.”
Mr. Henderson’s face went white. Sarah looked mortified.
Someone mumbled, “So… about that boba tea?”
I burst out laughing.
4.
Before leaving for the day, I overheard some colleagues gossiping in the restroom.
“You think Mary’s sales are legit? She probably has a sugar daddy. No way she’s top salesperson year after year.”
“Yeah, she’s probably selling more than just apartments.”
I slammed my fist against the stall door. “Say that to my face!”
The door creaked open, and two colleagues emerged, looking guilty.
Mr. Henderson arrived, watching the scene unfold.
Sarah joined them, looking down at me with disdain. “Mary, some truths hurt, but they’re still truths. You know how you really got those sales.”
“Watch your mouth,” I warned.
Mr. Henderson sighed dramatically. “Come on, Mary. Don’t be so sensitive. Sarah is the heiress to the Stevenson fortune.”
I scoffed. “So you’re just going to let her slander me?”
He adopted a patronizing tone. “It’s not slander. It’s a difference of opinion. Don’t think you’re so special just because you have a few clients. We don’t need you.”
I looked him dead in the eye. “Fine. Then don’t come crawling back.”
He laughed. “As if! You think this company will crumble without you?”
Sarah chimed in, “Don’t worry, Mr. Henderson. My family will partner with you. Your year-end results will be better than ever!”
I smiled. “Good luck with that.”
I walked out, pulled out my phone, and texted my family group chat: “Okay, everyone. Contact the lawyers. Cancel all the purchases.”
