Peter's expression instantly darkened, and the smile froze on his face.

"Soren, what do you mean by that?" He slammed the plaque heavily onto the table.

"The company is going through such tough times. As a senior employee and the top performer, not only do you fail to show any consideration for the company, but you also make a scene at the annual meeting?"

"Tough times?" I pointed at his wrist. "Mr. Hurley, did you buy this watch to help you weather the tough times too?"

Peter instinctively retracted his hand, then grew furious with embarrassment. "That's my personal money! What does it have to do with you?"

"That's your business. Meanwhile, my commission is written in black and white in the contract. It's the money you owe me."

I looked at him coldly. "The contract stipulates that settlement will be made at the end of the year. Are you trying to renege?"

Peter stood up abruptly and pointed at me. "Soren! Watch your tone!

"What contract? The company has the final say on this! I decide how much gets paid out!"

He began to act shamelessly, saying, "Besides, didn't it cost the company to train you? The computer you use, the electricity, the opportunities—didn't the company provide all those? Without the company, you're nothing!

"This plaque is proof that we acknowledge your contributions. It's to motivate you to keep working hard next year! But look at you, chasing after money instead!"

Peter grew increasingly agitated. "20,000 dollars? Why don't you take a long look in the mirror and see if you're worth that much! Someone as money-hungry as you doesn't deserve to be in this industry!"

The colleagues around me began to whisper.

"Soren is being so unreasonable. Mr. Hurley is really angry."

"Exactly. 700 dollars isn't that bad. I only got 200."

"Talking back to the boss at a time like this is just asking for trouble."

The loudest voice belonged to Curtis Warner, who usually ranked last in performance but was best at sucking up to Peter.

He stood up and gave Peter a respectful, apologetic nod, practically radiating subservience. Then, he turned to accuse me. "Soren, you're the one in the wrong here. Mr. Hurley usually treats us so well. How can you be so ungrateful?

"Think bigger! You've got to have some perspective! Is it worth falling out with the company over this small amount?"

Perspective? I had hundreds of properties in Northspire, but he was telling me to think bigger?

I was just taking back what I had earned, yet that made me narrow-minded?

"Fine, then. You're all so noble indeed."

I nodded and swept my gaze across the room. "So, you're not planning to pay me the money, is that it?"

Peter snorted coldly, sat back in his chair, and crossed his legs. "No. Stay if you want and leave if you don't.

"Let me tell you this, Soren—if you walk out that door today, I'll blacklist you in the industry. I'll let everyone know you're a backstabbing, money-hungry ingrate with zero ethics! Let's see who dares hire you after this!"

He wanted to blacklist me? No one in all of Northspire dared to say that.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger. Making a big deal now was a crude way of handling things. I preferred to play things a different way.

"Alright." I smiled. "Since Mr. Hurley has put it so bluntly, I give up."

I picked up the plaque from the table.

The corner of Peter's mouth lifted. He thought I had given in. "That's more like it. Young people need to learn patience—"

Before he could finish, I turned and walked to the trash bin by the meeting room door.

I let go, and the plaque fell in with a dull thud.

The "highly valuable" plaque fell into the trash bin, which had already been filled with waste paper and food wrappers.

The plaque was too long, so half of it was sticking out of the bin.

"You!" Peter's eyes widened. "Soren! How dare you throw away the company's honor?"

"Honor?" I dusted off my hands. "I wouldn't even display this thing in my toilet—it's too trashy.

"Since you gave it to me, it's mine, and I can do whatever I want with it."

I turned to look at Peter, my expression calm. "Peter, remember what you said today. You said I don't deserve the commission, and that I'm a money-hungry nobody.

"I hope you won't come begging to this nobody later."

Peter was shaking with anger. He grabbed his cup from the table, wanting to smash it, but he couldn't bear to part with his favorite cup. So, he forcibly held back.

"Get out! Get the hell out right now!"

"Finance! Settle his wages, then kick him out!"

"I'd better not see you in this industry ever again!"

Beside him, Curtis flamed the fans. "Where's security? Call them over! Don't let him steal anything from the company!"

I ignored them. I just went straight back to my workstation and quickly packed up my personal belongings.

There wasn't much to pack, really. It was just a cup and a few books.

As for the client files? They were all in my head.

Besides, these clients recognized me, not this crappy company.

I walked out while carrying a cardboard box.

As I passed by the reception desk, the receptionist, Lily Turner, looked at me sympathetically.

"Soren, are you really leaving?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am."

I smiled at her. "This place has bad vibes. You'll go broke if you stay too long."

Behind me came the sound of Peter roaring in the meeting room. He was still cursing up a storm.

I walked to the elevator and looked back at the office. This floor was about 10,000 square feet, and it was in a good location, right in the heart of the CBD.

Back then, Peter insisted on renting this place purely to show off. The rent here wasn't cheap.

I pressed the down button on the elevator. The elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off the noise.

I took out my phone and dialed a contact saved as "Gary".

Gary Rhodes was the property manager of this office building.

"Hello, Mr. Neal? How may I assist you?" Gary asked respectfully.

"Tomorrow morning, bring the lease contract for this floor to the lobby and wait for me."

"Understood, Mr. Neal. Are there some changes happening?"

As I looked at my somewhat tired face in the elevator mirror, I smirked lightly. "A big change."

I, too, wanted to see for myself just how much "perspective" Peter really had.

…

The next day, at ten in the morning, I woke up late and stretched. Even the air seemed fresher to me.

After washing up, I put on a T-shirt, slipped into flip-flops, and hung a bunch of keys from my waist.

I hailed a cab and headed straight to the company—no, wait—straight to my building.

When I arrived at the lobby, Gary, dressed in a suit, was already waiting there with two security guards.

At the sight of me, not only did he show no contempt, but he even lowered his head in greeting.

"Mr. Neal, you've arrived."

"Did you bring the contract?" I asked.

"Yes, everything is here." Gary handed over a folder.

I flipped through it. The lease term was due to expire next month, and it was initially set to renew automatically.

"Let's go. Time to collect the rent."

I shook the keys at my waist, making a metallic jangling sound.

The elevator went straight to the 18th floor.

In the reception area, Lily was slacking off, watching a show on her phone. When the elevator doors opened, she instinctively said, "Welcome to—"

That was when she saw me, as well as Gary and the security guard behind me.

"S-Soren? What are you doing back here?"

Her gaze fell on my flip-flops.

She continued, "Mr. Hurley said… said you're not allowed in the company…"

"I'm not here for the company."

I smiled, walked past the reception desk, and headed straight for the office area. "I'm here to inspect my property."

…

In the office, everyone was busy—or at least pretending to be busy.

Curtis was standing by the door of Peter's office, holding some files. He was eagerly nodding.

When he saw me, he was stunned for a moment, then started shouting, "Soren? You had the nerve to come back?

"Security! Where the hell is security? How could they let just anyone in?"

His yell drew everyone's attention over to us.

Upon hearing the commotion, Peter emerged from his office. When he saw how I was dressed, he was stunned at first, then let out a cold laugh.

"Well, well, if it isn't our top performer? You just left yesterday, and you're regretting it already? Seeing as you're dressed like that, did you just get back from begging on the streets?

"I'm telling you, it's too late! This company doesn't take trash!"

Peter walked up to me and looked down from above. "But if you're willing to kneel down, pick up the plaque, and clean it off, I might consider giving you a janitor position."

Laughter erupted from the surroundings.

Curtis immediately chimed in. "You're so merciful, Mr. Hurley! Soren, hurry up and thank Mr. Hurley for giving you a chance!"

I ignored their mockery and just turned to look at Gary behind me.

"Mr. Rhodes, the tenants on this floor seem a bit noisy," I said offhandedly.

Gary immediately stepped forward, his expression stern as he addressed Peter. "Mr. Hurley, please watch your language.

"This gentleman is the owner of this building, Mr. Soren Neal."

The entire office fell dead silent, and the expression on Peter's face froze.

"W-What?" He scratched his ear, thinking he'd misheard. "The owner? You're saying he's the owner?

"Gary, are you joking with me? He's just a lowly worker from my company! He's so poor that he can barely pay his rent!"

Gary looked at Peter coldly and took out a copy of the property ownership certificate.

"Mr. Neal owns the full property rights to this office building. I'm entrusted by Mr. Neal to handle leasing matters."

Peter snatched the document. His hands began trembling as he stared at the name and official signature on the paper.

It was real. It couldn't be fake.

His face instantly paled, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

Peter looked up at me. "This… This is impossible… Y-You're the landlord?"

I took a cigarette out of my pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag.

I then blew the smoke right into Peter's face.

"Nothing's impossible about this. I originally wanted to get along with all of you as an ordinary person, but all I got in return was coldness and humiliation.

"I'm done pretending. I'm a billionaire, and I'm laying my cards on the table."

I flicked the ash off my cigarette.

"I'm here to announce that, because the landlord is in a bad mood, the rent for this floor will increase tenfold starting next month. The lease also won't be renewed."

Peter stumbled back, almost losing his balance, especially when he heard that the lease wouldn't be renewed.