My Bonus Became a Cash Grab,So I Sent One Transfer and Took Her Company

My heart burned and froze at the same time. The question slipped out before I could stop it.

"Mom, Dad—who's your actual daughter here?"

My mother yanked at my sleeve immediately.

"What nonsense are you spouting? You and Blair have been friends for years! We've always treated her like our own daughter. If it weren't for all the opportunities Blair's given you, where would you be now?"

My father nodded along. "Exactly. Take your mother's illness this time—if Blair hadn't found her such a good doctor and arranged that private room, your mother wouldn't have recovered so quickly! Sure, she hasn't visited in person, but she's a busy CEO, so that's understandable..."

Hearing this, my hands curled into fists, knuckles white.

The "good doctor" came from the premium clinic I'd paid eight hundred dollars a visit for.

The private room was because I'd paid full price out of pocket.

I'd lied and said Blair had pulled strings, just so my parents wouldn't feel burdened by the costs.

I never imagined they'd hold onto that lie so tightly, brimming with gratitude for her.

The bitterness lodged in my throat. I kept my face expressionless and said nothing.

When my mother went to the kitchen to wash fruit, my father pulled me aside.

"Sweetheart, have you saved up the five hundred thousand for the surgery yet? The doctor said the sooner we pay, the sooner your mother can have the operation!"

A wave of bitterness washed through me. I didn't know how to tell him the truth.

I'd scrimped and saved for years, putting away four hundred thousand. I'd been counting on my hundred-thousand-dollar year-end bonus to make up the difference.

But now Blair hadn't just refused to pay me—I'd spent a hundred thousand of my own money to take her down. I only had three hundred thousand left.

This plan had to succeed. Failure wasn't an option.

After seeing my parents off, I called the finance department.

"Since the company's already terminated me, shouldn't you return the hundred thousand I transferred?"

Avery Cole's voice was flat and final. "What hundred thousand? The records show ninety-five. Ms. White says it's considered a personal gift."

Hearing that, something in me settled into certainty.

If Blair had just refused the money—if she'd returned it—she might have had a fighting chance.

But endless greed would be her undoing.

A few days later, I dressed carefully and walked back into the company.

The receptionist spotted me and immediately called Blair.

She appeared moments later.

When she saw me, her lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Well, well. Isn't this Bella Lambert, our former Technical Director? You seemed so confident when you walked out on us. What brings you back? Don't tell me you actually think the department can't function without you?"

Blair strode over and pressed down on my shoulder, pointing toward the tech department.

Through the glass walls, I could see everything clearly.

Apart from the director position, nothing had changed. Everyone was still there.

Blair's voice dripped with derision. "Did you really think you were so important? You had the nerve to brag about giving your team paid leave—but guess what? That very night, they came crawling to me, begging for forgiveness!"

The tech team's eyes met mine. One by one, they looked away, guilt written across their faces.

Including Lorna—the one I'd been closest to.

I understood. Getting fired right before the new year, losing their bonuses and salaries—it would've made the holidays unbearable.