"Don't be discouraged," Mr. Hurst said. "Although the company has abolished that particular reward, it still has its employees' interests at heart. Here's the 500-dollar bonus that the company is happy to issue as a form of recognition for outstanding employees. The company is still looking out for its staff."

Without responding, I stared at the reward slip that had fallen to the floor. This was Mr. Hurst's usual tactic. He would use company policy to keep me down and shut me up by dangling 500 dollars in front of me, expecting me to take it and let the matter drop.

Just like that, he wanted to erase all of the hard work I'd poured into the job for the past three years.

I'd worked day and night, negotiating with clients and pulling in orders. I'd never left work early or arrived late either. This whole time, I'd consistently exceeded the performance targets set by the higher-ups, just so I could get that thousand-square-foot apartment.

I even ended up with a stomach ulcer because of my grueling working life.

Now that I'd fully met the criteria to receive that reward, the motivation that had carried me for three years vanished before my very eyes, turning into a slip for a 500-dollar bonus instead.

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I pressed my hand against it. Gritting my teeth, I bent down to pick up the reward slip for my "massive" bonus.

Seeing that I hadn't said anything, Mr. Hurst eyed me mockingly.

"The decision was made rather suddenly. Don't hold it against the company. The industry has been tough the past couple of years, so the company is making strategic adjustments. You're a reasonable employee. I'm sure you know how important it is to understand the company's position as well," he said.

"You're a young man. Young people need to stay humble and know their place. Focus on gaining experience, and don't be so impatient. It's just a temporary setback. As long as you work hard, I believe the company will recognize your efforts."

He smiled, his gaze flickering with a hint of smug delight. His slick expression boasted the satisfaction of someone who had just put an overeager young employee in his place.

His words cut through me like a blade, repeatedly reminding me that all my effort over the past three years had been for nothing.

I felt like a clown who'd been made a joke, blindly working my ass off for a reward policy that no longer existed. All I got in return was a flippant dismissal and nothing else to show for it.

As I looked at Mr. Hurst's arrogant, derisive expression, I asked a burning question.

"If this policy was abolished last month, why didn't we receive any official notice, whether through the group chat or company email? Even if the system is slow to update, shouldn't you have notified all employees immediately? Isn't that the standard procedure for all announcements and policy updates?"

Mr. Hurst snorted at me, as if I'd just told him a joke.

"It was a very busy month last month. I haven't had the time to send out the official notice. After all, so few employees ever qualify for that reward anyway. It's perfectly understandable that the notice wasn't sent out right away. I'm sure you understand, right, Mr. Top Salesperson?"

The amusement in his voice made me clench my hands. My attempt to stick up for myself was nothing but a feeble, futile struggle in his eyes. It didn't achieve anything, other than to entertain him.

When dealing with power and authority, my arguments meant nothing.

Mr. Hurst glanced at the reward slip that I'd placed back onto his desk and smirked patronizingly.

"Being good at sales is all well and good, but you still need to improve your understanding of the company's rules and values. Young people need to stay humble and know their place. Don't keep trying to show off. It isn't good to constantly hog the spotlight.

"Take the 500 dollars. And when you go back to your desk, give my words some careful consideration."

After saying that, he immediately called up the finance department and said scornfully, "Jonah Carter, our top salesperson, will be heading over to the finance department to claim a bonus later. Make sure you process it right away for him."

He pointed at the reward slip for 500 dollars on his desk before gesturing for me to leave.

Every time he called me the top salesperson, it felt like I was hit in the chest with a hammer. It made it all the more clear how pathetic I was.

Clenching my jaw, I took my "generous" bonus and left his office, heading to the finance department with a grim expression.

When I arrived, however, I saw a reimbursement form that should no longer be in use.

"Oh, if it isn't Jonah, our top salesperson!" Wendy Jones, who worked for the finance department, greeted me warmly. "Mr. Hurst has informed me to process your bonus right away."

She cheerfully took the slip from me and started processing it.

I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on the reimbursement form she'd just set down on her desk. The signature and the reason for reimbursement on it corresponded exactly to the same policy item I had been trying to claim.

Confused, I deliberately glanced at the application date. It read November 23rd, which was yesterday.

Wendy quickly finished processing the paperwork and handed it to me to sign. I picked up the pen and shifted my gaze away from the reimbursement form.

It wasn't that the policy had been abolished after all. Mr. Hurst simply never intended to honor it.

Not long after, a notification popped up on my phone, informing me that 500 dollars had been deposited into my account. It was listed as a bonus from the company, which felt like a slap in the face.

Noticing my reaction, Wendy sighed.

"Jonah, you've been here three years. You know what Mr. Hurst is like. Trying to get some kind of benefit from him is as hard as squeezing water from a rock.

"You're the top salesperson, so he had to give you a little something just to keep up appearances. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn't have even gotten 50 dollars from him.

"I know you were aiming for that apartment, but as long as Mr. Hurst refuses to sign off on your application, there's no chance you'll ever get it. Just keep up the good work and wait out the year. Maybe once Mr. Hurst gets transferred, you might have a chance to get what you want."

Wendy quietly confided that she'd overheard Mr. Hurst talking to his superior. As long as he could guarantee that the year-end sales targets were met without any issues, he'd get a promotion and be transferred back to headquarters.

Gripping the pen tightly, I thanked her before leaving her office.

Back at my desk, I began sorting through my work and reviewing my schedule for the next few days.

Just then, Mr. Hurst stepped out of his office with a serious expression and reminded everyone, "In two days, someone from HQ will come to assess the branch's year-end sales performance. Make sure all your reports are ready, and finalize any pending orders. Don't drop the ball at a critical moment like this!"

Then, he deliberately singled me out.

"Jonah, as the top salesperson, you need to run a thorough check of everything and make sure it's all recorded. Don't miss a single order."

He was casually giving me an order as if nothing had happened.

At my silence, he took the initiative to say, "After HQ evaluates our year-end sales, I'll apply for an additional bonus for those who have performed exceptionally, just to give you guys a little encouragement.

"But remember, everyone, you need to keep your feet on the ground and stay humble. Aside from improving your ability as a salesperson, you also need to familiarize yourself with the company's policies and values.

"Don't assume that just because you've done well, you can demand benefits from the company. That just shows poor character and a lack of perspective. I won't single anyone out here, but let this be a warning."

When he finished, the surrounding employees started whispering among themselves. Though no one said it outright, everyone was clearly gossiping about me.

Yet, the occasional curious glance that seemed to land on me by chance from time to time felt like a burning fire that threatened to reduce me to a pile of ashes.

I clenched the mouse in my hand, my face cold as ice. I kept my eyes fixed on the computer screen, ignoring everyone's reactions.

Just then, a notification popped up. It was an email from Frederick Anderson, a client I'd been negotiating with for a while now.

Mr. Anderson had persistently voiced his skepticism over our product quality, repeatedly deferring things whenever I pressed him for a decision. Yet after all the back-and-forth, he'd ended up deciding to place an order with us after all.

I opened the email.

"I'm willing to place an order worth eight million dollars, but you need to guarantee that the inventory will be delivered to me within three days."

I checked the inventory at the company's nearest warehouse. There was under a million dollars' worth of the product Mr. Anderson wanted. Needing to grab stock from other warehouses would make the three-day delivery window nearly impossible to meet.

No one else in the company could fulfill this order. But I could. I had the ability to ensure that the inventory would be delivered on time.

I'd already mapped out the fastest logistics flow and optimal delivery routes. With careful planning and sufficient cooperation from the staff, this shipment could definitely be delivered within the required timeframe.

Over the years, my mind had practically transformed into the city's transport network. I could confidently say I was more reliable than any GPS in that respect.

But just as I was about to accept the 8-million-dollar order, Mr. Hurst's voice echoed in my mind. I recalled the lecture he gave me in his office.

It wasn't good to constantly hog the spotlight. It was important to be humble and know one's place.