The Price of Greed

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?”