Corporate Math: Negative Commission

The crucial project coordination meeting began that afternoon.

Albert and his team had already taken their seats in the meeting room. From my desk, I could vaguely hear the conversation going on. There was not as much contention as I predicted.

After a long time, the meeting doors opened. Richard accompanied Albert and his team out, smiling in relief.

"Mr. Wood, don't worry. Jessica might be young, but she's a fast learner. We'll do a great job on the project!" Richard grovelled.

Albert nodded faintly as he said to the eager-looking Jessica, "Ms. Sanders, your report was clear and concise. You've laid a great foundation. Keep it up."

It was not a huge compliment, but it felt like a praise from the angels in heaven.

"Thank you, Mr. Wood! I won't let you down!" Jessica exclaimed with trembled excitement.

After sending Albert off, Richard patted Jessica's shoulder and praised her generously, "Great job! I knew you could do it! Those snobs who think highly of themselves should see what it means for the younger generation to surpass the old!"

Around the office, glances drifted toward me. Some intentional, some not.

Jessica said smugly, "Eva, did you hear what Mr. Wood said? I mean, it's really nothing. It's just a basic analysis report. It might be challenging for some people, but I think that as long as you put your mind to it, there's nothing that can't be done."

She deliberately opened the folder and waved it in front of me. "See, it really doesn't matter. The company will still go on even without you. In fact, it might even be better."

One glance was enough for me to recognize the report as the one saved on my computer.

I said calmly, "The report that you handed to Mr. Wood was the document from my computer, right?"

Jessica huffed, a little embarrassed. "So, what? The computer belongs to the company! Naturally, the documents on them belong to the company as well! I'm the project manager using the company's resources. Is that a problem?"

I replied, "Sure, but don't just take credit for other people's work. That's just theft."

That struck a nerve with Jessica.

Her voice turned shrill as she replied, "Nonsense! I was just using it as a reference and inspiration. Mr. Gray said that every resource is in the service of the project!

"I've already copied all the information regarding this business deal. There's nothing left in the computer. Whether you're here or not, it doesn't matter to this project anymore!"

I snickered. "Well, good luck then!"

The files and information on my computer were the initial draft of the project. It had nothing to do with the core of the project at all.

It was still alright for the time being, but if she continued using those files in the computer, things were about to get interesting.

The project seemed to be going smoothly for some time under Jessica's guidance based on the foundation and structure that I had laid down previously.

It even made Richard think that he no longer needed me anymore.

Several long-time clients under my care were forcibly reassigned to other colleagues under the pretext of centralizing management.

At the same time, his passive-aggressive jabs and pressure came from all directions.

At a meeting one morning, he suddenly called me out. "Eva, I reviewed your workload for the month. Your sheet is practically blank. The company doesn't pay for freeloaders. You'd better buck up!"

While passing my seat, when he saw me browsing industry news, he would say mockingly, "Wow, look at you. You seem to be quite free. Perhaps you've already found a new job. If you have, just hurry up and go. You're just taking up space here."

He even had the admin department send me an email, under the pretext of optimizing office space, ordering me to move my workstation to a dim corner near the restroom with almost no natural light.