Enduring weeks of eating and sleeping inside the manufacturing plant under 113°F heat,

I finally developed a breakthrough product worth billions.

Because it was unbearably hot, I casually grabbed three ice creams from the fridge.

The next day, HR handed me a fine notice stating a penalty of $900,000.

I thought it must be a mistake and ignored it.

But the following day, the new assistant blocked me at the door.

“You ate the imported ice cream that Mr. Richard Collins bought for me. Why haven’t you paid for it?”

Emily Parker shook the fine in my face, the papers crackling, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it at me.

“Yesterday it was $900,000. With interest, today it’s $9 million!”

“If you can’t pay, then get out of this company!”

CEO Richard Collins chimed in,

“As a senior manager, you must accept this penalty. Otherwise, how can Emily earn respect from others?”

I stared at the computer screen, where the newly developed billion-dollar product was displayed,

and calmly replied, “Fine. I’ll pay the $9 million. If you want me gone, I’ll leave.”

…

Hearing Emily order me to pay $9 million, I could hardly believe it.

“Three ice creams, $9 million? Emily, are you serious?”

Hands on her hips, she snapped back,

“Company rules aren’t a joke. And the fine has Richard’s signature on it.”

Looking at the familiar name “Richard Collins” on the document, I still refused to believe it.

I crumpled the paper and knocked on Richard’s office door.

“Richard, this must be a mistake.”

Without lifting his eyelids, he said, “No mistake. As a senior executive, you should lead by example. If you refuse to pay, how will Emily manage anyone?”

“But… $9 million for three ice creams? That’s absurd.”

“They were custom-made and flown in from overseas. $9 million isn’t too much.”

“Besides, didn’t the company just pay you a $10 million bonus last month? Perfect timing!”

Ha! Now I understood.

This wasn’t about three ice creams. It was about clawing back my $10 million bonus. They were staging this together!

A year ago, my team and I practically lived in the manufacturing plant, crunching data and running models day and night.

Many went half a year without a single vacation. Even when their wives gave birth or their parents were sick, Richard wouldn’t allow leave.

“Everyone, listen. The deadlines are tight. I hope we can all pull through together!”

“When the project succeeds, I’ll give you a bonus worth 10% of market value.”

To cheers, we accepted his promise.

After endless sleepless nights, we finally delivered the project on time, bringing the company profits of over $100 million.

But when it was time to distribute bonuses, Richard kicked us out and denied his own promise.

As team leader, I couldn’t swallow that insult and fought him head-on.

Eventually, he reluctantly handed out the bonuses.

I thought it was over, but he clearly had been waiting for another excuse to take that money back.

In truth, out of the $10 million, I only kept $300,000. The rest I shared with my employees.

For me, millions was already an astronomical figure.

I tried to calm my anger and reason with him.

“Richard, that $10 million bonus was divided among my team. I only received $300,000.”

“You’re just trying to make things difficult for me, aren’t you?”

Richard slammed the desk, making it shake.

“Sophia Anderson, don’t think that just because you were a founding partner who built this company with me, I can’t touch you.”

“The $9 million stays. Not a cent less. If you don’t have it, pack up and leave.”

“This company can run with or without you.”

I suddenly realized Richard was no longer the man who once fought side by side with me.

Clutching the fine notice, I said calmly,

“Fine. I’ll pay the $9 million. If you want me gone, I’ll go.”

Then I turned and dialed a competitor’s number.

“Ethan Walker, I’m offering you a billion-dollar project and a full R&D team. Interested?”

I heard a loud crash from his side of the line.

“You… say that again?”

“A billion-dollar project, plus a full research team.”

“In exchange, give me a Chief Engineer position at your company. And once the project succeeds, I want a $9 million bonus.”

There was a pause.

“Sophia, are you joking with me? You’re the lifeline of Skyline Technologies, a legend in the industry. Richard would never let you go.”

“Cut the nonsense. Just tell me—will you take me and my team or not?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

Within a minute, Ethan sent me a Vice President onboarding link.

“Chief Engineer is beneath you. How about VP instead?”

“You’re one of Richard’s founding executives. You’ve been with him since the start, through every city and deal. Companies tried poaching you countless times and you never left. Why now?”

Memories surged, filling me with bitterness.

After college, I gave up a secure government job my parents arranged, choosing instead to help Richard build his startup.

In a few years, the company grew from a single desk and chair to an industry leader.

It wasn’t just my technical expertise—it was also my parents’ connections.

I brought in billions in profits.

And yet, because of a $10 million bonus and three ice creams, he was ready to betray me.

It had all become clear when he began showing his special favor to the new assistant.

“Sophia, work isn’t a game. I hope this isn’t just a lover’s spat between you and Richard.”

I sighed bitterly.

“I never joke about work. I’ll join tomorrow.”

After hanging up, I went straight to my desk to pack.

Emily swayed over with a smug expression.

She slapped my desk.

“Leaving during work hours? That’s a $1,000 fine!”

Folding her arms, she smirked as colleagues turned to watch.

“Don’t bark at me,” I said. “I’ve been afraid of dogs since childhood.”

The office erupted in laughter.

“You… you…” Emily’s face turned green. After a long pause she stammered,

“My words represent Mr. Collins. Don’t tell me you’d dare defy him?”

“Mr. Collins?” I sneered. “In my eyes, he’s nothing but a fart.”

“You’re vulgar! A bully!” She burst into tears and ran off.

I clapped my hands and turned to my team.

“Everyone, I’m resigning tomorrow. Will you stay here, or come with me?”

“Of course we’re going with VP Sophia!”

“Where Sophia goes, we go.”

Their replies were exactly what I expected.

After packing up, I went to hand Richard my resignation.

From the doorway, I overheard him speaking with Emily.

“What if Sophia really quits?” Emily asked.

“She won’t. I know she’s secretly in love with me. All I need to do is crook a finger, and she’ll willingly work herself to death for me.”

“But does she even have $9 million?”

“That’s her problem. She took $10 million from me last time—I’ll get it back.”

“You’re brilliant, Richard. I admire you so much.”

Their flirtatious whispers and moans made me nauseous.

I straightened my clothes and walked in.

They were half-dressed; Richard looked momentarily flustered.

“Richard, I’m here to resign. I won’t be coming in tomorrow.”

I slammed my resignation letter on his desk.

“The $9 million fine will be wired to the company account within a week.”

Without hesitation, I turned to leave.

“Wait, Sophia! Think this through!”

He grabbed my arm, disbelief written on his face.

“As soon as you pay, your Chief Engineer position is still yours.”

“No thanks. I’m not interested.”

I tore off my company badge and threw it on the floor.

“Then… how about just $5 million?”

“Are you really quitting over three ice creams and a fine?”

“Emily was only thinking of the company. We built this together—can you really abandon it?”

“Richard, don’t forget—I have a cousin who studied abroad, won plenty of awards. He can handle the projects Sophia worked on,” Emily cut in, eager to drive me out.

Richard loosened his grip on me.

“Really?”

“Of course, Richard. Don’t you trust me?” Emily cooed, draping herself against him.

I knew her so-called cousin well: a graduate of some third-rate overseas college, parading fake awards.

If he became Skyline’s Chief Engineer, the company was doomed.

As soon as I resigned, my employees came in one by one to hand over theirs.

Seeing his core team side with me, Richard exploded.

“So that’s it, Sophia? If I can’t have you, you’ll destroy me?”

“You’re taking away half my company—are you trying to bankrupt me?”

I shrugged. “They’re leaving of their own free will. Not my problem.”

“Why don’t you ask your precious Emily what she’s been doing since she arrived?”

“I… I did it all for the company!” Emily stammered.

“Oh really? Like fining people $200 for being one minute late, $300 for staying in the restroom over ten minutes, $500 for taking a private call?”

Other employees shouted in agreement:

“Exactly! With Emily here, working became unbearable. Even Richard wasn’t this cruel.”

“Get out, all of you!” Richard roared. “I was too soft before. You broke the rules—you should be punished! These days, with high salaries, I can always hire new people.”