So in the face of interest, feelings really were worth nothing.

“What do you think, Mr. Anderson?” I asked, my tone calm.

Noah turned his head away from me.

“The evidence is right here. Ava, even if you’re my friend and one of the founding team members, rules are rules. Public and private must be kept separate. That’s the bottom line.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “Hand over the car keys for now. From here on, the vehicle will be managed by the administration. As for the costs Winnie calculated, Finance will verify them, and they’ll be deducted from your salary starting next month.”

A victorious smile spread across Winnie’s face.

“Mr. Anderson handled that well! I think Ms. Clark should also make a public self-criticism in front of the company.”

Noah glanced at me, hesitating briefly.

“That won’t be necessary. A company-wide email notice of criticism will do.”

A notice? Deduction? Taking the car?

I looked at that familiar face, yet it felt like I was staring at a stranger.

It was clearly my car.

However, I didn’t explain or slam the ownership documents onto the table.

Because by now I understood.

Winnie wanted to step on me to climb higher. Noah wanted to use this opportunity to fully take the car into the company.

Three years was enough time to create an illusion and for people to believe that something had always belonged to them.

Slowly, I stood up. Then I took the car keys out of my bag and placed them on the table.

The metal hit the surface with a crisp sound.

“The keys are here. I accept these decisions.”

I looked at Noah, the corner of my lips lifting slightly.

“I hope this car continues to bring the company good luck.”

Clearly, Noah hadn’t expected me to be this straightforward. He froze for a second, and then his expression visibly relaxed.

“Ava, it’s best that you handle it this way. I have my difficulties too.”

Winnie immediately grabbed the keys, clutching them tightly as if she were holding onto her future.

“If you’d cooperated earlier, this wouldn’t have been necessary. Why wait until I reported you?”

I looked at her, and all that remained in my heart was a trace of pity.

She didn’t understand the weight of that key.

Winnie thought she had gained power.

In reality, she had only lit the fuse.

This company will soon be finished.

…

Half an hour later, a company-wide notice quietly appeared in everyone’s system.

The title was especially eye-catching.

[Notice on Disciplinary Action Regarding Director Ava Clark’s Misuse of Company Vehicle.]

The body of the notice laid out my “violations” in full detail.

The long-term occupation of a high-end company reception vehicle for personal use, such as commuting and daily errands. It was a serious violation of company asset management policies, and a negative example to others…

I sat in my office, listening through the glass walls to the low murmurs spreading across the open workspace outside.

“I never would’ve guessed. Ms. Clark always acts so cold and aloof, but turns out she loves taking advantage.”

“That’s a luxury car. She drove it every day to pick up her kid. That’s pretty bold, if you ask me.”

“I think she’s treated the company like her own home for a while now. Even Mr. Anderson isn’t that casual.”

“This cleanup is great. Winnie really did something this time.”

I lifted my cup and took a sip of coffee. The bitterness spread in my mouth, but it couldn’t cover the coldness settling in my chest.

Suddenly, the office door was pushed open without a knock.

Winnie walked in, holding a report in her hand.

“Ms. Clark, Finance has finished the calculations.”

She tossed the document onto my desk. “Based on the past three years of usage records, you need to reimburse fuel, depreciation, and toll fees for a total of 128,000 dollars.”

She stood there, looking down at me from across the desk.

“Mr. Anderson has already signed off. You have three days to pay in full. If you don’t, it will be directly deducted from your year-end bonus and equity dividends.”

I picked up the report and glanced at it.

The calculations were impressively detailed.

Even the trips I made on weekends to the dealership for maintenance had been listed under “personal use”.

“$128,000.” I let out a soft laugh. “Winnie, you’re pretty good at accounting.”

“Of course.” She lifted her chin. “Ms. Clark, I know you’re not happy about this. But rules are rules. If you’ve enjoyed benefits you shouldn’t have, then you have to pay the price.”

“Enjoyed?”

I set the report down and leaned back in my chair, looking at her.

“Do you know how much this car costs in insurance per year?”

Winnie froze for a moment. “Isn’t that covered by the company?”

“No. I pay for it myself. Fifty thousand a year.”

“And the maintenance?”

“I pay for that, too. Over ten thousand each time.”

Her tone immediately turned flustered. “T-That’s still your responsibility! After all, you’ve been driving it for so long!”

I continued, “Then, three years ago, who was the one who brought this car to the company?”

“Who even remembers that? It belongs to the company now.” She sounded impatient.

“Ms. Clark, stop bringing up useless things. Just pay the money. I’ve already taken the keys. From now on, if you need to use a car, you’ll have to submit a request for my approval.”

Her approval?

An intern who had been at the company for less than three months was approving the Operations Director’s vehicle requests.

The thought was so absurd that it was almost laughable.

“Alright.”

I picked up a pen and signed my name on the confirmation form.

“I’ll take responsibility for this amount.”

Winnie immediately snatched the paper away, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

“Ms. Clark, knowing when to adapt is what makes someone smart. Oh, right, Mr. Anderson asked me to pass along a message.

“There’s an important client visiting next Monday. They specifically requested this car for transportation. Make sure you clear out all your personal belongings. No child seats, toys, or anything like that. It’ll affect the company’s image.”

“Got it.”

I agreed without hesitation.

She turned and left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, as if announcing her victory.

I watched her back, then took out my phone.

I checked my account balance, then made a call.

“Mr. Carter, it’s me, Ava.

“I’d like to consult about a legal issue regarding a company occupying personal property, and recovering expenses that were paid in advance.

“I have all the evidence. I’ve kept every transfer record and every receipt.”

After hanging up, I pulled open the bottom drawer and took out a manila folder.

Inside were all the original documents for that car.

The purchase contract, the invoice, the tax certificate, and the vehicle registration.

The name on the registration was clearly written—Ava.

Three years ago, to help Noah keep up appearances, I let the company use the car. At the time, he even suggested signing a lease agreement, offering me twenty thousand a month in rent.

I had smiled and refused.

“Forget it. We’re all on the same team. The company’s just starting out, better to save where we can.”

So, in the end, nothing was signed.

I thought it was goodwill back then.

Now that I think about it, it was just a knife I handed over to myself.

Since they wanted to follow the rules and settle accounts, we’d settle everything, one item at a time.

I stood up and walked out of the office to the underground parking garage.

The car was parked in the boss’ reserved spot.

Winnie stood beside it, directing a few people from administration as they busied themselves around the car.

“Throw this seat cushion away. It looks tacky.

“And take off that hanging ornament too. It’s a mess.

“Get that box out of the trunk. Who knows if it’s personal items?”

That set of seat cushions was custom-made leather, costing eight thousand dollars.

The hanging ornament was a protective charm my daughter had handmade, and the box in the trunk contained gifts I had paid for myself, prepared for clients.

I stood behind a pillar, watching them toss everything onto the ground like they were raiding a house, leaving it all to be stepped on.

Winnie even got into the driver’s seat, held the steering wheel, took a photo, and posted it on her social media.

The caption read: [New car in hand. Hard work pays off. Keep pushing.]

I looked at the post and casually gave it a like.

“Keep it up, Winnie.

“Just make sure you drive carefully.

“After all, this car doesn’t have the best temper.

“It only recognizes its owner.”

I said inwardly.

…

Early the next morning, the HR manager called me into a meeting room.

“Ava, your private use of a company vehicle has caused quite an impact within the company. After discussion, management has decided to temporarily revoke part of your authority.”

This manager, in his forties, had always been on decent terms with me. However, he seemed unusually stiff now, his gaze constantly avoiding mine.

“Mr. Anderson’s intention is that for this week, you won’t be involved in frontline operations. You’ll mainly focus on… self-reflection, and handing over your responsibilities.”

“To whom?” I looked up at him.

“Winnie.”

My brow lifted slightly. “The intern?”

“Mr. Anderson believes that although she lacks experience, she has strong principles and isn’t afraid to speak up or take charge. The company plans to make an exception and promote her, letting her take over part of your duties for now.”

Promotion.

I see.

Stepping on me to climb higher had earned Winnie her position. It was a well-calculated move.

“Okay.”

I didn’t say anything more.

When I returned to the office, Winnie had already set up a temporary desk beside mine.

She had changed into a sharp, tailored suit, her hair neatly styled. She almost looked the part.

“Ava,” she changed how she addressed me. There was no respect in her tone.

“Mr. Anderson asked me to coordinate with you on client materials, especially for Mr. Parker. He’ll be visiting next Monday, so I need to get familiar with everything in advance.”

Mr. Damien Parker.

He was the company’s biggest client right now, and the partnership I had wrestled back from a competitor three years ago, driving that car.

Mr. Parker cared a lot about appearances and even more about presence.

Back then, when he first sat in my car, he ran his hand over the leather seat and smiled. “Ms. Clark, a car reflects its owner. You’re bold and straightforward. I feel confident working with you.”

Now, Winnie wanted to take over that achievement.

“All the materials are in the shared system. Look them up yourself,” I said evenly.

“Some details probably aren’t in the documents, right?” Winnie leaned in slightly. “Like what kind of tea Mr. Parker prefers, any dietary restrictions at business dinners, and his usual hobbies?”

Looking at her ambitious face, I couldn’t help but find it a little amusing.

“Mr. Parker likes Earl Gray tea, doesn’t eat seafood, and plays golf in his free time.”

I only told her half the truth.

It was true that he liked Earl Gray and didn’t eat seafood, but what he hated most was people who put on airs and tried too hard to impress.

“Got it.” Winnie quickly jotted it down in her notebook.

“Thanks, Ava. Oh, and I’ve already handed the car keys to the driver, John. Mr. Anderson said the car will only be used to receive clients at Mr. Parker’s level from now on. Otherwise, it stays locked in the garage.”

“Sounds good.”

I nodded.

That afternoon, I went to the service center.

“Ms. Clark, long time no see.” The manager greeted me warmly. “How’s the car been running lately? Any issues?”