No More Free Rides

"If the company believes this was a company benefit, fine. Reimburse me the full seven hundred and twenty thousand.

"And issue a public apology, revoke my penalty, and fire Selena. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss."

Wade stared at the long string of numbers, a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

Selena leaned in for a closer look, her eyes practically popping out.

"That's impossible! How could you have that much money? Your monthly salary is only fifteen thousand!"

I let out an icy laugh. "How much money I have is none of your business.

"Selena, do you really think everyone in the world is like you, scheming against coworkers over a few dollars in ride fare?"

Selena's face flushed a deep, ugly red.

"You… you must have embezzled company funds! I'm calling the police! I'll have the financial crimes unit investigate you!"

"Be my guest," I said.

Of course, Selena did not actually call the police. However, she did start forming her own little clique at work, isolating me.

Over the next few days, she spread rumors in every group chat and private conversation she could. She said I had someone backing me, that my money came from shady sources.

She even encouraged people not to talk to me, saying that anyone who got close to me was going against the "team."

At the same time, she set up her own so-called "carpool group."

"Listen, everyone. Even though Jennifer canceled the shuttle, we can't let her control us. I have a friend who works in ride-hailing. I've already arranged a van. It's only fifteen per person per day. It’s way cheaper than booking your own ride!"

People were unhappy, but the commute problem was real. One by one, they paid and joined her group.

I watched as she collected transfers in the chat.

Four hundred and fifty per person each month. With forty people, that was eighteen thousand.

A run-down van like that would cost, at most, three thousand a month to rent.

Now this was a real "unauthorized operation," with a nice profit on top.

I did not expose her. I just watched quietly as she walked herself straight into a pit.

Sure enough, on the third day, everything blew up.

The van Selena arranged was obviously a hastily modified vehicle. It had originally been used for cargo, with a few flimsy folding seats thrown in. There was no air conditioning. Windows that would not seal properly. A faint, unpleasant smell lingering inside.

Worst of all, it was seriously overloaded.

The van was rated for seven passengers. She had crammed twelve people into it.

During the morning rush hour, traffic police were conducting inspections at an intersection.

The van got pulled over.

The driver was cited for illegal modifications, overloading, and unauthorized commercial operation. The vehicle was impounded on the spot, and the driver was taken away.

All the coworkers packed inside were ordered out of the vehicle and made to stand by the roadside for a lecture.

That day, they were all late again. Because their identities had been recorded by traffic police, the company ended up being officially reprimanded.

Senior management was furious.

In the conference room, one executive slammed his hand on the table, his voice tight with anger.

"This is your so-called carpool arrangement? Who organized this? Who's responsible?"

All eyes turned to Selena.

She shrank into the corner, her voice trembling. "I… I was just trying to help everyone with the commute…"

"Help?" The executive let out an icy laugh, his tone turning sharp. "You created a risk."

He pointed at her, his voice merciless. "The entire company has now been flagged for a compliance review. This could affect this year's evaluations and bonuses. Can you take responsibility for that?"

Selena's eyes turned red instantly, tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly, she raised her hand and pointed at me, her voice rising.

"It's all Jennifer's fault! If she hadn't stopped the shuttle, none of this would have happened!"

The executive turned to look at me. There was no question in his eyes, only blame.

"Jennifer, look at what you've done!"

I froze for a second. "Mr. Carter, how is this related to me?"

"How is it not?" he snapped, slamming the table again, his voice rising. "If you hadn't suddenly canceled the shuttle, would Selena have come up with this carpool idea? Would employees have gotten into trouble? Would the company be under regulatory scrutiny?"

He stared at me, his tone turning icy and final. "In the end, this all started with you."