The Price of Greed

“No issues.” I handed over the spare key. “Do a full inspection, and upgrade the tracking system while you’re at it.”

“Of course. Is the car outside now?”

“No.” I gave a faint smile. “Someone will bring it in a couple of days.”

“Huh?” The manager looked confused.

“Just remember that once the car enters the shop, lock it immediately. Without my permission, no one is allowed to drive it away.”

Although the manager didn’t understand why, he still nodded.

“Understood. The car is registered under your name. We’ll follow your instructions.”

By the time I left, the sky had turned overcast, like it was about to rain.

I called a taxi back to the company.

Just as the car pulled up downstairs, I saw that white car driving out of the underground garage.

John was behind the wheel. Winnie sat in the passenger seat, and Noah was in the back, eyes closed.

They were heading out to meet a new client.

The window rolled down. When Winnie saw me standing by the roadside, she deliberately had John stop for a moment.

“Oh, Ava, waiting for a ride?”

She leaned out, smiling smugly.

“Mr. Anderson has a business engagement today, so we’re using the car first. It’s so hot out. Don’t overwork yourself. Head home early and take care of your kid.”

Noah opened his eyes and glanced at me.

“Ava, your taxi fare can be reimbursed.”

Then the window rolled back up.

The white car sped off, its wheels kicking up a splash of water that nearly hit my skirt.

I stood there, watching the taillights disappear into the distance, a cold smile slowly forming on my lips.

Reimbursed?

I smirked. "Noah, you’ve probably forgotten that the fuel card for that car is linked to my account."

Sure enough, not long after, my phone vibrated.

A notification popped up. [Your fuel card was charged eighty-five dollars at 3.30 p.m.]

Using my car, burning my fuel, doing their business, and then mocking me for taking a taxi.

These people were feeding off someone else, yet not the least bit ashamed.

I took a deep breath and dialed the customer service.

“Hello, I’d like to report a fuel card lost.

“Yes. Freeze it immediately.”

After hanging up, I opened the remote system.

On the screen, the vehicle was moving east at sixty miles per hour.

My finger hovered over the “remote lock” button, pausing for a moment.

Locking it now would be too easy on them.

If I were to lock it, it would be when it mattered most.

I closed the program and called another taxi.

“Sir, take me to the largest office leasing agency in the city.”

“Got it. Hold on tight.”

Since we were settling accounts, we might as well settle everything completely.

The office building that the company was using right now was actually my property.

Back when Noah had just started the business and couldn’t afford a decent place, I rented him this entire floor, left to me by my father, at a very low price.

Next month, the lease will be up.

Hadn’t Winnie been talking about cutting costs?

Then we’d start with the rent.

…

Over the next few days, I found myself unusually free, while Winnie was running around nonstop.

She had to sort out the operations department and prepare everything for Mr. Parker’s visit.

To her, that car was like a medal. Every day, she had John clean it multiple times, afraid even a speck of dust might land on it.

She also kept posting selfies in the car on social media, her captions bold and showy.

[Capability isn’t just written in a title. It’s reflected in the position you deserve.]

[As long as you do your job well, the effort is worth it.]

Quite a few colleagues liked and agreed, praising her as young and promising.