At the New Year’s team-building event, the intern, Lilith Woods, did not obtain my approval and changed our suburban trip to a seven-day tour of Baline.

“Mr. Lucian Stone, I hear a change of scenery can really spice things up. Don’t lock up tonight. I’ll come by for a deep dive into our collaboration.”

She pretended to be drunk and fell into my arms while slipping the room key into my pocket in the process.

To avoid suspicion, I did not return to the hotel. However, in the middle of the night, the police called me in for questioning—someone had reported a dine-and-dash.

Only then did I realize that the reserved budget of $100,000 for the accommodation had long since been exceeded.

Lilith had upgraded their room to a presidential suite, feasted on high-end seafood buffets, and even used company funds to buy luxury handbags!

When I showed up at their private room, the interns were still casually taking king crabs and several unopened bottles of the Macallan Whisky with them.

“Mr. Stone, you’re just in time. Could you please settle the bill?”

Lilith looked utterly righteous as she said this with a grin.

“Young people like us make mistakes, while adults help to pay the price. You’re not exactly short on cash, anyway. Just think of it as buying my happiness.”

I stared at the $700,000 bill and paid it in silence.

The next day, the payment invoices made their grand entrance in the group chat, accompanied by my pinned message.

[Upon financial review, this team-building event does not meet reimbursement criteria. All expenses will be shared equally among the seven participants.]

[Each person will need to pay $100,000, payable immediately. If payment needs to be deferred, please print the proof and submit it to the President’s Office.]

On New Year’s Eve, Lilith Woods stole the office keys while I was meeting with a major client.

She went live with a stream titled [Gen Z Takes Over the Workplace.]

In front of a hundred viewers, she changed the team-building destination to Baline.

“Hi girls, tomorrow I’ll show you what a luxury hotel is all about.

“Let’s double the fun. I’ll get our elite boss drunk and savor every moment with him.

“The thought of watching the high-and-mighty bow down is too irresistible. I’ll record the whole thing. Let’s see if he dares scold me afterward.”

The chat erupted with cheers, begging Lilith to share her “dog-training” techniques.

Amid the excitement, a few discordant voices emerged.

The accountant was holding the team-building approval form, looking worried.

“Ms. Woods, are you sure this won’t cause trouble?

“Company rules say the team-building budget must stay under $100,000. That money isn’t even enough for the plane tickets. If we go way over, I’m afraid finance won’t reimburse us...”

Lilith snorted and said disdainfully, “What’s there to fear? My word is law!

“Everyone in the company knows Mr. Lucian Stone is my loyal follower. Forget the hundreds of thousands, even if it were in the millions, he’d have to bite the bullet and agree once I make the call!”

Seeing her unwavering certainty, the accountant hesitated but didn’t dare persuade her further.

This scene played out on the surveillance feed before my eyes. When I returned to my desk, a pair of worn stockings lay there, accompanied by a sticky note.

[Mr. Stone, here’s a special gift just for you. Hope you’ll look out for me in the coming year.]

There was a bright red lipstick kiss mark on the words.

This was not the first time Lilith had flirted with me to get me onboard with her.

However, I looked down on her, both on her character and her abilities.

She was utterly lacking in both.

After the dinner ended, I did not dare return to the hotel. Instead, I found a hostel to stay in temporarily.

The room key Lilith had forced on me went straight into the trash.

I thought she had given up. However, the next morning, cops burst through the door, dragged me out of bed, and hauled me to the hotel to settle the bill.

“Your total charges amount to $700,000. Your current balance is insufficient. Please settle the outstanding amount immediately.”

The air was thick with the scent of food. The table was strewn with empty plates and cups.

Before stepping into the private room, I did not believe the waiter’s claim. I thought he was trying to rip me off.

However, when I saw the plump king crabs on the plate, the half-empty bottle of Macallan Whisky, and the luxury shopping bags scattered everywhere...

I needed no other explanation.

“Hey, everyone! Mr. Stone is here to save the day! Quick, bring the bill!”

Seeing me arrive, Lilith showed no guilt. She called the waiter to bring five more bottles of whiskey and murmured gently, “Mr. Stone, this small sum shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?

“Let’s make a deal. If you make me happy, I’ll give you some sweet rewards. Don’t say it’s unfair. What can I say? You’re an old man. If it weren’t for the money, I wouldn’t bother with you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, everyone burst into laughter.

The drunken male intern slapped my shoulder excitedly.

“You’re a true gentleman, Mr. Stone! A thousand gold pieces for a smile from the beauty!”

“Everyone, go wild! Pick the most expensive items! The manager is picking up the tab!”

My rage boiled over.

Without a word, I watched the group laugh wildly as they left, silently settling the bill.

“Issue invoices for all expenses. Print itemized receipts stamped with the hotel’s official seal.”

The waiter looked taken aback by my request.

However, he complied nonetheless.

The vacation ended early.

Back at the office, my first course of action was to tag every team-building participant in the company-wide group chat.

[Following internal review, this Baline trip cannot be considered legitimate team building. All incurred expenses must be covered by the employees themselves.

[The company advanced $700,000. After splitting the costs, each person owes $100,000. Please remit the funds to the company’s finance account before the end of the workday.

[The detailed expense list has been uploaded to the group album. Please verify.]

The group instantly erupted.

The interns, who had been basking in the glow of their dream trip and feeling like they had scored a huge bargain, were suddenly jolted back to reality.

[Mr. Stone, why do you need to take it this far?

[You’re not exactly strapped for cash. It’s just money that is going to be spent anyway. What’s wrong with sharing a little with us?]

Lilith was stirring up trouble in the group again.

This time, I did not let her get away with it. I fired back immediately.

[Are you a professional beggar? Why should I spend money on someone I don’t even know?

[This is a workplace, not a charity gala. I have no obligation to support anyone.

[You can stubbornly refuse to pay, but when the time comes, the legal department will start a case to recover it.]

Lilith was speechless.

She promptly posted a tearful status update.

[That nitpicky jerk can go to hell! He failed to sleep with me, and now, he’s demanding a refund? That’s $100,000. He’s got some nerve to demand that much!]

Her teammates silently liked the post.

As I surveyed the flood of vulgar comments, I sneered coldly.

I felt they should brace themselves for the storm.

The entire intern team went on strike.

Influenced by Lilith, they believed that there was safety in numbers.

If they forced me to compromise, none of them would have to pay the huge sum.

At the morning meeting on Monday, I waited for three hours.

After sending countless meeting reminders, I finally managed to gather everyone.

Lilith was the last to arrive.

She crossed her legs and applied makeup throughout with her earbuds in. She was utterly dismissive of my presence.

“Lilith, why hasn’t the merger case I assigned you last week been submitted?”

She clicked her tongue, jabbing her leg against the table.

“Mr. Stone, I have depression. I can’t handle stress.

“My condition was stable until yesterday. Something awful happened. I couldn’t sleep, let alone work.

“The capable should shoulder more. You’re talented. Handling a little bit of extra work is no big deal.”

“Exactly! We Gen Zers entered the workforce to be treated like royalty, not to slave ourselves to death for capitalists!

“You’re just a mere manager, yet you think you’re so important? Fire us all if you dare!”

Countless scornful glances landed on me.

I laughed bitterly.

These people surely did not think that I was begging them to come to work, did they?

I turned my gaze to another intern and said calmly, “Jack Smith, where’s your analysis report? You haven’t done it either?”

The guy I called out pouted defiantly. He unlocked his phone and began to binge-watch short videos.

“Mr. Stone, just give it up. Ms. Woods made it clear. We won’t resume work until you hand over the money and kneel to apologize.”

After surveying the room, I saw that they were determined to defy me.

I gave up pressing the issue. Instead, I retrieved the conference room surveillance footage and sent it to HR.

[Interns engaged in passive resistance, arriving late and leaving early, severely violating organizational discipline.

[Multiple warnings proved ineffective. I demand the dismissal of certain interns to serve as a deterrent.]

The morning meeting ended in dead silence.

With work piling up, I stayed late at the office for several days.

I also deducted all performance bonuses for the interns that month.

They despised me. They banded together and rallied around Lilith, calling her their savior.

When I was leaving work at dawn, I passed the stairwell.

I heard a familiar voice.

“Lucian Stone is a jerk. You should’ve seen the way he looked at me, all lecherous, like he wanted to devour me whole!

“I was willing to tolerate him just because he’s rich, but who knew he’d be so cheap? He wants me to pay the entire $100,000!

“Choosing Baline for the team-building retreat was just so he could go on a honeymoon with me! When his demands for intimacy failed, he tried to push me to the edge. Why doesn’t he just die?!”

With tears in her eyes, Lilith played the victim and aired her grievances on a livestream.

I remained calm and stared at her for a long moment.

Then, I spoke up.

“Lilith, spreading rumors can land you in jail. Guess what? I have video evidence.”

She froze. Guilt flashed in her eyes before she straightened her back.

“What did I falsely accuse you of? Isn’t that just who you are?”

She declared with righteous indignation, “No woman would risk her reputation for this. If I expose your backroom deals, your hard-earned career is finished!”

“Is that so?” I sneered. “Slander away. I have ways to clear my name. But what about you? The finance department has emailed multiple times demanding payment. Can you even repay that $100,000?”

The words hit home.

Lilith trembled with rage, and her face turned ashen.

Suddenly, she raised her phone, zoomed in with the camera, and filmed my face.

“Girls, look at this! The boomer is shamelessly using his power to blackmail me into being his mistress!

“I resisted fiercely and refused to give in. Now, he’s firing me and ruining my reputation!”

The livestream exploded with traffic as countless viewers flooded in, unleashing a torrent of abuse at me with their keyboards.

[Don’t worry, Lilith! I’m going to take him down right now!]

[Stay away from her, you creep!]

[What company let this disgrace happen? A man of such low character has no place in leadership!]

As the comments flooded the screen, I did not hide. I looked straight into the camera and smiled.

“We know in our hearts what’s right and wrong. I did nothing wrong.

“Bring on your dirty tricks. I hope you can keep talking tough when we meet in court.”

Lilith’s face flushed crimson, but I ignored her. I grabbed my phone and turned to leave.

“The evidence is in your email. I’m suing Lilith for defamation and spreading rumors. No mediation.”

My lawyer took the order and quickly drafted the complaint.

The next morning, the department remained thick with tension.

Interns shot me sideways glances, covering their mouths to stifle giggles as they whispered.

As I stepped into the elevator, several people deliberately shoved my shoulders, nearly sending me tumbling headfirst.

Just as my frustration boiled over, my phone buzzed.

A transfer of $100,000 had arrived.

The sender was Jack Smith.

[Sorry, Mr. Stone. I know I was wrong.

[I never meant to humiliate you, nor did I want to lose my job. Lilith forced me into it. She has powerful connections, and I dared not cross her.]

After a long silence, I returned half the money to him.

[I’ll take it as your school fee. Forget the rest. Let things take their course.]

Lilith proved far more vicious than I had imagined.

In the dead of night, I was jolted awake by the vice president’s call.

“Lucian, you’re trending! Lilith made a hundred-page presentation accusing you of misconduct. If we don’t handle this, you’ll be blacklisted from the industry!”

Cold sweat soaked my back.

Before I could even click on the trending topic, an email arrived from our partner company.

[You and your company are embroiled in a scandalous affair. The public backlash is severe. We have no choice but to terminate the contract. Compensation will be borne by your office.]

This was a project I had spent five years developing. It was worth hundreds of millions in profits.

At the final hurdle, the opportunity vanished in an instant.

As I clicked through the posts, my heart sank deeper with each revelation. Rage surged through me like a tidal wave.

Lilith was a master manipulator of public opinion. A few stolen chat screenshots and photos were all it took to twist truth into lies, as she nailed me to the pillar of shame.

[Breaking news! Fortune 500 Marketing Manager Lucian Stone Lusts After Attractive Female Subordinate, Tries to Seduce the Younger Woman but Fails, Then Resorts to Blackmail!]

Lilith wept before the camera.

In her narrative, she portrayed herself as an innocent, naive college graduate.

As a freshie in the workplace, she claimed she received repeated verbal harassment from her superior, who used threats and inducements to coerce her into submission.

She selectively edited the chat logs, omitting crucial context.