I went viral, all for the wrong reasons.

The world came down hard on me, all because I refused to approve my employee, Cassandra’s, maternity leave.

Cassandra tore me apart online.

“Why won’t you grant me maternity leave?

“The government wants the birth rate to go up. Even if you’re the CEO, you can’t go against the law.

“I get it. The low birth rate exists because heartless capitalists like you treat employees like nothing.

“Fam, back me up here. Am I wrong to protect my unborn child?

“I have a legal right to maternity leave.”

With her words striking a chord with the young generation, the livestream became a viral sensation.

Many spammed the company’s social media to criticise me.

There were memes of me as a funeral portrait everywhere. Some even mailed wreaths to the office.

The board ordered me to apologize live.

I plugged into Cassandra’s stream and looked at her calmly.

“I’m sorry, but I still can’t approve your leave.”

The livestream was popping off, but what I said blew the whole thing wide open.

The comment section fell into a frenzy, tearing into me.

“Is he even human?”

“I can’t believe a beast like him can even run a company. Really, it takes all kinds.”

“Sam Gordon is a monster. There is a special place for you in hell.”

“Reported. It’s time to run this heartless company to the ground.”

“I guess you don’t have a mother, Gordon.”

“I’ve called the company and given those employees there a piece of my mind. Come on, people. Turn the heat on them.”

My secretary, Bruno, watched me cautiously from the side, his breath hitched.

“Mr. Gordon, you can be straight with me if I’ve done anything wrong. I’ll fix it.”

Cassandra Luckwell cried in the livestream, tears streaming down her face.

“Please, don’t hold my maternity leave against me. It was already hard for me to get pregnant. I don’t want to lose my baby.”

Her tears only fueled the fury of the online community.

“Is he only going to stop once he pushes Cassandra to her death? It’s the 21st century, people! Why is this still happening?”

“Lo and behold, this is the true face of a capitalist. Ugh! The monster ought to be crucified!”

“Don’t cry or beg him, girl. Just take him to court and sue the hell out of this capitalist!”

“How can men understand the struggles of pregnancy? Girl, take the advice of the commenter before me. Hit the inhumane monster with a lawsuit!”

“Don’t be scared, Cassandra. We are all behind you.”

Ignoring the flood of on-screen comments, I stressed, “I can’t approve your maternity leave, Cassandra.”

After a pause, I added. “Of course. Go ahead with suing me. I’m ready whenever you are.”

With that, I cut myself off from the livestream with Cassandra.

Just as I was about to exit, Cassandra put on a tearful act for the viewers. “Please stop with the insults, everybody. I’m sure Mr. Gordon has his reasons. He probably doesn’t like children…”

Oh, just what I needed.

That pretty much nailed me as a capitalist without an ounce of conscience.

Buzzing on the table, my phone lit up with the name Eric Webb, the chairman.

Once the call connected, Eric laid it thick on me.

“Sam, have you lost it? What the hell was that? Was that supposed to be an apology or an attempt to stir things up? Are you insane?

“Here’s your final chance. Apologize to Cassandra in person and clear things up in a livestream. We need this to go away.

“Listen up, Sam. Don’t expect me to play nice if your actions tank the company’s share price.”

“I have no control over the board’s decision, but Cassandra won’t be getting an apology out of me for sure,” I replied firmly.

Eric’s voice turned icy. “In that case, you’ll have to deal with the consequences on your own.”

Bruno looked at me, biting his tongue desperately. In the end, he let it slip and murmured, “What’s the point, Mr. Gordon? It’s just maternity leave. Just let Cassandra take it. The company won’t be missing her that much anyway.”

With a grin, I shook my head firmly. “I stand by what I said. I can’t approve Cassandra’s leave.”

The head of PR walked in, visibly distressed.

“We have a problem, Mr. Gordon. Neptune Media just reached out regarding the Cassandra situation. Their CEO made it clear that if we don’t address the backlash soon, they’ll pull our endorsement deal with Kingdom.

“Kingdom is the hottest boy band right now. We’re talking about a major hit on the company if we upset their fandom.

“A lot is at stake here, Mr. Gordon. You need to act on it now. Cas—”

Thud!

The door to the office was kicked open.

Koben Webb waltzed into the room with a grimace.

“Get out. I need a word with Sam,” he said to the head of PR and Bruno.

The pair exchanged glances and snuck a quick shake of the head before taking off.

“Sam!”

Koben grabbed me by the collar, his face etched with frustration.

“What the hell has gotten into you? Do you have beef with Cassandra? Why are you denying her maternity leave?

“Jesus Christ. Don’t you know that what you’re doing is against the law?

“If I hadn’t backed you up, the board would’ve called a meeting to sack you!

“Stop wasting my time. You’re coming with me right now. Talk to Cassandra. We can meet her demand if she’s willing to work with us, but you’d better check that horrible temper of yours!

“This is the last chance that I fought for you.”

Koben was Eric’s son and my long-time buddy.

I could understand where he was coming from.

However, I couldn’t comply.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t go.” I shook my head.

Koben smirked in rage. “Are you serious about throwing yourself away over something so insignificant?”

I pursed my lips. “I have it all worked out.”

Koben cursed out loud and gave me the middle finger. “Fine, Sam. This is what I get for sticking my nose in your business. Never again.”

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down to see a crowd of influencers with their teams gathered outside the company entrance. Some even held up banners.

My phone vibrated once more.

It was my girlfriend, Vivian Williams, on the other end of the line.

“Sam, are you the heartless capitalist attacked by the public? Why are you doing this? I know that you’re better than this.” Vivian’s voice was filled with terror.

I frowned. “Stay out of this, Viv. I’ll sort it out.”

“How can I? Are you forgetting that we’re getting engaged soon?” Vivian wailed tearfully.

“I—”

The noises of a heated argument and sobbing came from outside my office.

With a sense of dread hitting me, I swiftly ended my call with Vivian.

The moment I stepped out of the office, I was met with the clicking cameras and microphones shoved right in my face.

“Hello, Mr. Gordon. I’m with Golden Eye. Have you approved your employee, Cassandra Luckwell’s application for maternity leave yet?”

I knew very well that these journalists were broadcasting live as they needed the views as well.

“I’m sorry, but I stand by my decision. I can’t grant Cassandra’s leave.”

There went the hype again.

My reputation as a heartless capitalist spread far beyond the platform, going viral across all social media.

It was only because Cassandra posted a video update while the journalist pressed me for answers.

She was in the hospital.

The video showed Cassandra looking pale in a ward, hooked to a drip. Her husband, Wesley Luckwell, held her hand, looking utterly heartbroken.

“Thank you for your concern. I’m doing well, really.

“I promise I’ll be strong for my baby and all of you.

“I can’t just quit, guys. I need money to support my little one.”

At that point, Wesley said in agony, “I’m sorry, Cass. I’ve failed you for putting you in this situation. I’m good-for-nothing.”

Cassandra took Wesley’s hand. “No, babe. I dragged you down. You’ve drained your savings to pay my parents’ medical bills. This is on me. Don’t blame yourself.”

Following the release of the video, Cassandra and Wesley drew sympathy from the widespread internet.

On the other hand, I was nailed to the cross of shame by the couple.

The backlash against me came as no surprise, but oddly enough, some comments came to my defense among the attack.

Cassandra was quick to pin these comments and posted a response.

“I’m just a regular employee. It’s not my job to understand my boss’ intentions. He denied me my maternity leave. Is that my fault?

“I don’t know who you are or why you’re standing up for Mr. Gordon, but from what I can see from your profile, you’re a woman.

“I’m not saying you’re trying to please men or chase money. I just want to ask you, woman to woman. Why are you making things hard for me?

“I’m only fighting for my right.

“I want to end this by saying that you are bound to get married and pregnant one day. I hope you won’t face a boss like mine when the time comes.”

Her words became the spark that let the online community release their pent-up feelings.

Predictably, the poor soul who stuck up for me was torn apart by trolls.

It didn’t take long for the internet to identify my girlfriend, Vivian.

“I see that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I wondered who could be so sick. As it turns out, she’s a brute like Sam.”

“Love can really blind people. After everything, she still hasn’t left him. How big of a red flag does she need? Is she going to wait until the monster gets physical with her?”

“I actually feel sorry for her. She’s been brainwashed and doesn’t even know it. That’s just sad.”

“Tsk. She acts like she’s above us all. All she does is suck up to the capitalist like a lapdog. Trash!”

As if digging up Vivian’s and my past wasn’t enough, the online mob also tracked down her workplace and home, and even brought her parents into it.

I sought Vivian, only to be slapped in the face by my future father-in-law.

Jeremy Williams yelled furiously, “Is this how you protect my daughter? I’ll kill you if you harass my daughter again, Sam!”

After twenty-four hours of brewing, the situation went from bad to worse.

The company lines were jammed with calls, and employees walked on eggshells, afraid of getting caught up in the drama.

The interns gave me dirty looks, looking as if they would pull a punch at me any second.

Our business partners bombarded the company with emails, all worded sharply.

A cloud of gloom and despair loomed over the office.

To make matters worse, Neptune Media sent a termination notice for Kingdom, pushing the situation to its breaking point.

An army of furious Kingdom fans overwhelmed the company’s livestream, spamming the chat.

All products in the flagship store were bought out and returned right away. The repeated cycle eventually crashed the flagship store’s system.

Everything went down like dominoes.

All products were taken off the shelves across all platforms.

The livestream and flagship store were shut down.

Contract termination letters poured in from all our partners.

The employees faced harassment and threats, their nerves stretched thin.

Worried about the escalation, the board put out an urgent notice mandating a company-wide break.

Then, there was me.

“Your signature here.” Eric slid the dismissal slip toward me with a straight face. “You made this bed, so now, you should lie on it.”