When I saw the glaring name on the screen, my head spun.

How was this even possible? The company had over a hundred employees, and yet I had been selected twice in a row.

I stared at the bright red name, and a chill crawled up my spine.

Michelle flashed a grin.

"Tony, I didn't expect your luck to be this good. This is shaping up to be your year. The company's growth depends on you, so make sure you pull your weight."

With a knowing smile, she handed me a stack of cash.

Money that everyone usually coveted now felt like something I wanted nothing to do with.

In that instant, it felt as if death had taken another step closer to me.

I stared blankly at Caleb in the audience. He looked genuinely happy, but not in the way someone would celebrate my win. It felt more like he already knew what was coming next.

Back then, Caleb had lost his job and came to me in tears, begging me for a referral to our company. I knew he wasn't fully qualified, but I still pulled strings and brought him in.

As expected, Caleb was constantly scolded by his department head for poor performance within the first week.

If I hadn't begged Michelle to give him more time and quietly taken on most of his workload, he would have been fired long ago.

Even after half a month, there was still no improvement. On top of that, my own performance started to decline because I kept covering for him.

That day, Caleb asked me again to finish an urgent task for him.

While I was buried in work, he was casually flirting with girls online.

That was the moment all the frustration I had been holding in finally exploded.

"Caleb, do you even realize I've been working myself to the bone for half a month just to cover for you? And you're treating the company like your personal lounge? If you actually want to stay here, then do your job properly!"

Facing my anger, Caleb remained completely unbothered.

"Tony, I only asked you because I see you as my best friend. Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly. When the salary comes in at the end of the month, I'll split it with you. Is that fair?"

I nearly laughed from sheer anger. I was doing the work of two people while only getting one and a half salaries, and he somehow made it sound like I was the one profiting from him.

Then, he returned to his phone and completely ignored me.

It was as if my anger had completely failed to reach him. Faced with his shameless behavior, I let out a deep, frustrated sigh.

I didn't bother with him anymore. It was his own choice. If he failed the evaluation later, that would be his problem.

However, a month later, the completely unmotivated Caleb actually passed the company assessment.

In the audience, Caleb jumped to his feet excitedly. "Tony, you're seriously lucky today!"

He turned toward the rest of the staff and started rallying them. "Everyone, Tony's on fire this year. Shouldn't we all share in his luck?"

"Yes!"

He continued, "Then, shouldn't he treat us all to a celebration with his prize money?"

"Yes!"

The roar in the room was so loud my ears rang, and my vision dimmed briefly.

Without thinking, I blurted out, "The prize money isn't that much. If I treat all of you, I'll end up paying out of my own pocket. If that's the case, I don't want it. Whoever wants it can take it!"

The instant I finished speaking, the excited crowd fell completely silent.

Caleb lunged to his feet, stabbing a finger at me. "Tony, how can you be so selfish? We just wanted to share in your good luck. You're acting like we're trying to rob you blind!

"All we're asking for is a simple, affordable meal to show some spirit. Do you really think we're so greedy that we'd demand a feast of delicacies? To be honest, having the chance to treat us after winning that prize is a blessing for you!"

How sweet he made it sound. He'd said the exact same thing in my previous life. But when the bill finally came, it totaled over 107 thousand dollars.

After subtracting the one-thousand-dollar prize money, I had to cover the remaining 106 thousand dollars out of my own pocket. In the end, it even cost me my life.

With the bitter experience of my previous life fresh in my mind, I wasn't about to fall for Caleb's honeyed words again.

At this thought, I felt a sudden urge to rip that mask right off him.

I looked at Caleb coldly. "I don't need that kind of blessing. I don't want the prize money anymore. You can have it. Why don't you play host tonight instead?"

Caleb's expression shifted instantly, and he waved his hands in frantic refusal. "You were drawn twice in a row. That's destiny! If I stole your prize money, I'd be tempting fate. Are you trying to get me cursed?"

At that moment, Michelle chimed in. She whispered in my ear, "Tony, this is Thanksgiving dinner. It's our first gathering of the year. Don't you think you're being a bit of a killjoy?

"If you really don't want to be the host, I won't force you. But this kind of behavior isn't good for company morale. I'll have to keep that in mind when your next performance review comes around."

In my previous life, it was this exact threat that had forced me to cave.

However, I knew very well how to prioritize between work and my life now.

I stared at Michelle's conniving face. A resignation was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it back.

Instead, I forced a small smile. "I get it, Ms. Wagner. Let's do as you say. Tonight's on me!"

Michelle finally flashed a satisfied grin. "Now that's the star employee I know. I love that attitude. By the second half of the year, that sales manager position just might be yours."

As Michelle spun her empty promises, Caleb rushed over, beaming. "Tony, you're the most generous guy I know. We're going to share in your good luck and break every profit record the company has this year! Right, Ms. Wagner?"

The two exchanged a look that was far too intimate. Their body language even seemed a little flirty.

I didn't say a word. I just watched them in silence.

By now, a perfect plan for revenge had already taken shape in my mind.

"Ms. Wagner, I have a friend who'd like to join us tonight. Is that okay?"

Michelle was in high spirits. "You're the one paying, so you can invite whoever you want. Bring ten people for all I care."

Caleb cut in. "What friend? Do we know them?"

I smiled mysteriously. "You'll see when he gets here."

With that, I sent a quick text to my guest.

This wasn't just someone Caleb knew. Everyone in the company knew him.

I checked the time on my phone. "It's getting late. Shall we head out?"

Michelle put on her best act of being considerate. "I've already made a reservation. Let's go to my spot. I promise it's nice and budget-friendly!"

Without a hint of hesitation, I replied, "Thank you, Ms. Wagner."

Though I was the one treating them, once we arrived, I didn't even get a glimpse of the menu before the waitress started bringing out the food.

Before I could say a word, Caleb said with a smile, "Tony, look how thoughtful Ms. Wagner is. She was worried about everyone going overboard, so she went ahead and pre-ordered for us."

Michelle picked up the thread smoothly. "I'm a regular here. Everything is budget-friendly."

Budget-friendly?

I watched as platters of lobster, abalone, and crab were paraded onto the table. This spread alone had to cost thousands of dollars. My mouth couldn't help but twitch.

Then, Caleb took it upon himself to wave over a waitress. "Excuse me, bring us a few bottles of wine. It's Thanksgiving! We've got to celebrate!"

He didn't forget to emphasize, "The more expensive, the better. Money is no object today!"

In light of his grand display, a stranger would've thought he was the one picking up the tab.

Even though this meal was on me, I didn't stop him.

After placing the order, Caleb finally seemed to remember I was there.

He gave me a sheepish grin. "Tony, a generous man like you won't mind, right?"

I shot him a meaningful smile. "Of course not. In fact, I should thank you for being so considerate. You really are a good friend."

Caleb, naturally, missed the sarcasm entirely. "It's the least I could do."

I even followed up with a generous prompt. "Is this enough food? If not, everyone should order more. Don't be shy!"

Stunned by my sudden magnanimity, Michelle and Caleb traded a look of pure disbelief.

"It's enough, really."

"Tony, since when did you get so generous?"

I just laughed it off. "The money came from the company anyway. It's only right that I use it to treat everyone."

The waitress arrived with the wine.

I immediately had her pour overflowing glasses for Caleb and Michelle first. For myself, I filled my glass with juice.

I stood up. "Everyone, I'd like to thank my friend Caleb and Ms. Wagner for their support. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to host tonight. Let's raise a glass to them."

When Caleb noticed my glass of juice, he was clearly annoyed.

"Tony, you poured wine for Ms. Wagner and me, but you're sticking to juice? Are you trying to disrespect Ms. Wagner?"

I fixed him with a dark stare. "I'm the one paying. Since when do you call the shots?"

Caleb shut his mouth and sulked. Michelle gave him a pointed look. "Tony has a point. Let's have some juice to line our stomachs first."

I managed to dodge that bullet for a moment, but it wasn't long before Caleb, Michelle, and the rest of the staff started pressing me to drink.

Once they saw I was sufficiently buzzed, Caleb and Michelle dragged me toward the counter to settle the bill.

"Hello, sir. Your total comes to 107 thousand dollars."

"Why is it so expensive?" I complained instinctively.

Caleb chuckled. "Expensive? Not at all! Sure, you spent a little pocket change, but you've earned the gratitude of your colleagues, the appreciation of Ms. Wagner, and my personal respect. It's a win-win-win!"

As he spoke, he thoughtfully reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. "Come on, Tony. Pay the bill."

Just then, Michelle seemed to remember something. "Tony, didn't you say a friend was coming? Where—"

Before she could finish, a burly, familiar figure appeared at the entrance of the restaurant.

I smiled. "He's here."

Upon seeing this familiar newcomer, Michelle and Caleb exchanged a look of utter disbelief. The panic in their eyes was obvious.