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?”

“No issues.” I handed over the spare key. “Do a full inspection, and upgrade the tracking system while you’re at it.”

“Of course. Is the car outside now?”

“No.” I gave a faint smile. “Someone will bring it in a couple of days.”

“Huh?” The manager looked confused.

“Just remember that once the car enters the shop, lock it immediately. Without my permission, no one is allowed to drive it away.”

Although the manager didn’t understand why, he still nodded.

“Understood. The car is registered under your name. We’ll follow your instructions.”

By the time I left, the sky had turned overcast, like it was about to rain.

I called a taxi back to the company.

Just as the car pulled up downstairs, I saw that white car driving out of the underground garage.

John was behind the wheel. Winnie sat in the passenger seat, and Noah was in the back, eyes closed.

They were heading out to meet a new client.

The window rolled down. When Winnie saw me standing by the roadside, she deliberately had John stop for a moment.

“Oh, Ava, waiting for a ride?”

She leaned out, smiling smugly.

“Mr. Anderson has a business engagement today, so we’re using the car first. It’s so hot out. Don’t overwork yourself. Head home early and take care of your kid.”

Noah opened his eyes and glanced at me.

“Ava, your taxi fare can be reimbursed.”

Then the window rolled back up.

The white car sped off, its wheels kicking up a splash of water that nearly hit my skirt.

I stood there, watching the taillights disappear into the distance, a cold smile slowly forming on my lips.

Reimbursed?

I smirked. "Noah, you’ve probably forgotten that the fuel card for that car is linked to my account."

Sure enough, not long after, my phone vibrated.

A notification popped up. [Your fuel card was charged eighty-five dollars at 3.30 p.m.]

Using my car, burning my fuel, doing their business, and then mocking me for taking a taxi.

These people were feeding off someone else, yet not the least bit ashamed.

I took a deep breath and dialed the customer service.

“Hello, I’d like to report a fuel card lost.

“Yes. Freeze it immediately.”

After hanging up, I opened the remote system.

On the screen, the vehicle was moving east at sixty miles per hour.

My finger hovered over the “remote lock” button, pausing for a moment.

Locking it now would be too easy on them.

If I were to lock it, it would be when it mattered most.

I closed the program and called another taxi.

“Sir, take me to the largest office leasing agency in the city.”

“Got it. Hold on tight.”

Since we were settling accounts, we might as well settle everything completely.

The office building that the company was using right now was actually my property.

Back when Noah had just started the business and couldn’t afford a decent place, I rented him this entire floor, left to me by my father, at a very low price.

Next month, the lease will be up.

Hadn’t Winnie been talking about cutting costs?

Then we’d start with the rent.

…

Over the next few days, I found myself unusually free, while Winnie was running around nonstop.

She had to sort out the operations department and prepare everything for Mr. Parker’s visit.

To her, that car was like a medal. Every day, she had John clean it multiple times, afraid even a speck of dust might land on it.

She also kept posting selfies in the car on social media, her captions bold and showy.

[Capability isn’t just written in a title. It’s reflected in the position you deserve.]

[As long as you do your job well, the effort is worth it.]

Quite a few colleagues liked and agreed, praising her as young and promising.