One Rigid Time Card, One Terrified Boss

After snapping at me, Felicia didn't even give me a chance to respond. She shoved me out of her office and slammed the door shut in my face.

My nose hit the hard wooden door and immediately started swelling. The sharp, burning pain spread across my face.

Felicia was definitely doing this on purpose.

Anger surged within me, and I couldn't calm down. Backing down wasn't going to make things better. It would just eat me alive.

If I couldn't get an explanation from Felicia, then I'd go straight to the boss, Mr. James Clooney.

After all, I'd already landed multi-million-dollar deals in less than three months with the company. Most of their business came through me, and I was practically one of their top contributors.

Mr. Clooney had always valued me. Surely, he'd have my back.

With high expectations, I went knocking on his door and told him everything, exactly as it happened.

As expected, Mr. Clooney's expression darkened the moment he heard my story. "This is ridiculous."

I instinctively thought he meant Felicia. I was about to give him a thumbs-up and agree with him when his sharp gaze suddenly turned on me.

Mr. Clooney said coldly, "If it's a rule, then you should follow it, Wendy. What do you expect me to do about it? It's something so minor, and you felt the need to bring it to me?

"I always thought you were more level-headed. How would this company continue running if everyone starts ignoring rules whenever they feel like it, like you did? I'm very disappointed in you."

Mr. Clooney's words hit me like a bolt out of nowhere.

I never expected to be blindsided by the very boss I respected the most.

Felicia's check-in policy was clearly absurd, yet he pinned all the blame on me.

Not long ago, Mr. Clooney had thought highly of me after I closed those multi-million-dollar deals. Not only did he publicly praise me, but he also gave me a raise and a promotion.

When I was running a fever, he even gave me three days of paid leave. He'd shown up at my place with a fruit basket and some milk to personally check in on me.

For a moment, my chest felt heavy and damp, making it hard to breathe.

"Mr. Clooney, I didn't—" I opened my mouth, trying to make one last desperate attempt to defend myself.

But just then, Felicia walked in with a stack of contracts. "These documents need your review, Mr. Clooney."

Gone was the indifference Mr. Clooney had for me. A soft smile reappeared on his face as he turned to her. "Thanks for your hard work, Felicia."

Felicia deliberately rammed her shoulder into mine as she passed me. But she quickly teared up the moment she turned back to Mr. Clooney, as if she'd suffered some huge injustice.

She said, "Mr. Clooney, Wendy came to complain to you, didn't she? I knew some people wouldn't be happy after I announced the check-in policy, but I was only trying to stop employees from slacking off. It's for the good of the company!

"Wendy already came to my office earlier to argue about it, and I explained everything to her. I thought she understood, but then she went straight to you to complain. If that's the case, maybe we should just cancel the policy in the group chat, so no one ends up resenting me."

Mr. Clooney comforted Felicia, saying softly, "This isn't your fault, Felicia. Starting next month, I'll give you a thousand-dollar raise and name you Employee of the Month."

I was stunned.

Mr. Clooney had promised me that I'd be Employee of the Month based on my performance. But now he was going back on his word, intending to name Felicia instead.

As I was still processing it, he shot me a displeased look and barked, "You're both employees, but just look at Felicia's dedication, Wendy. Why can't you learn from her? She's always giving her all for the company and not obsessing over personal gains."

I almost laughed in disbelief.

Hadn't I already given enough to this company?