Chapter 1 — I Just Followed the Process Correctly

Claiming 800 Million Yuan (about 2,880 billion) in Bad Debt for the Company, I Was Heavily Fined — So I Followed the Process Correctly to the point of Bringing Down the Whole Company On the twentieth day after I risked my life to help the company recover bad debt worth 800 million Yuan, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I thought, this time I can finally get the reward to treat him. Unexpectedly, right at the party to celebrate my merits, I was publicly fined 50,000 yuan (about 180 million VND). The reason is: exceeding the authority to handle the work. The whole hall was silent. No one dared to stand up and say a single word to help me. I calmly signed the confirmation and transferred the full fine on the spot. From that day on, I completely became a different person. Please ask for instructions for everything. Every step awaits approval. After requesting instructions, continue waiting for approval. Whatever process needs to be followed, I go through every step, without missing even a single step. The general manager scolded me for being useless. My colleagues laughed at me for being forced to death. They don't know... I'm using the company's own regulations, little by little, to dig graves for all of them. In less than a month, the company's three core businesses were simultaneously paralyzed. The Board of Directors immediately took over. The general director was stripped of all power and kicked straight from his executive position. I raised my head to look at the group of people in front of me and slowly spoke:

“The rules are not made by me.”

“I just… seriously followed it.”

The twentieth day after I risked my life to help the company recover 800 million yuan of bad debt, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. On the other end of the line, the doctor's voice was extremely heavy.

"Miss Trinh, the situation is not positive. We must immediately prepare for surgery and chemotherapy, the cost will be huge."

My hand holding the phone was cold. But there is still a glimmer of hope in my heart. 800 million yuan. The company once promised a reward at the rate of five per thousand. 4 million yuan. Enough for my father to use the best medicine and invite the best doctor. The evening is a party to celebrate achievements. General Director Chu Khai Minh looked cheerful, holding a glass of wine and standing on stage.

“Today, we must raise a glass to the company's greatest hero, Trinh Suong!”

The flash light simultaneously shone on my face. I stood up and forced a smile that was just polite enough. The applause of colleagues was pitifully sparse, and in their eyes were all kinds of mixed emotions — jealousy, envy, contempt. Chu Khai Minh stepped off the stage and personally gave me a glass of wine.

"Trinh Suong, this time you've done a great job, the company will definitely not mistreat you."

My heart warmed slightly.

“Thank you, General Manager Chu.”

But the next second, he suddenly changed his tone, chilling to the bone.

“If you have merit, you will be rewarded, but if you have made a mistake, you will have to be punished.”

The whole hall immediately fell silent.

"During the debt collection process, she did not receive approval from the board of directors but arbitrarily mobilized the legal department, even exceeding her authority to promise to waive part of the terms. This is a serious violation of company regulations."

My heart sank little by little. Those things... were clearly approved by Chu Khai Minh over the phone at that time, to force the other party to sign a debt repayment agreement. Now he wants to turn around and refuse to accept it. Admin Ly Luu, standing next to him, immediately brought over a file of documents.

"Trinh Suong, based on Article 19 of the company's employee handbook, acts of exceeding authority causing potential risks will be fined 50,000 yuan. Sign."

Not a 4 million yuan bonus. It's a fine of 50,000 yuan. I looked at the ticket printed clearly in black and white before my eyes, each letter seemed to stab straight into my eyes and hurt. The whole hall was in dead silence. The people who were laughing and raising their glasses to me just now were all bowing their heads and staring at their glasses of wine. No one dared to open their mouth to help me even a single word. I got it. This is a warning. It's also an insult. Chu Khai Minh is using this method to let everyone know that no matter how great Trinh Suong I have achieved, I am still just a dog in his hands. He wanted to see me cry. Want to see me bow my head and beg. Want to see me humbly apologize in front of everyone for the 4 million bonus. I raised my head, meeting his eyes. In it there is only nobility and superiority and a cold, compassionate look. I calmly accepted the pen. No hesitation. Sign your name. Trinh Suong. Then, I took out my phone, right in front of everyone, looking at Manager Luu.

“Company account, please read it for me.”

Manager Liu was stunned. Zhou Kaiming also froze. The entire hall was silent.

"Or your personal account is fine. I'll transfer it to you, you can pay it instead."

Manager Luu stuttered reading the account number. I open the banking app. Enter the amount. Confirm transfer. The announcement sounded very softly in the silent hall, but was heard so clearly that it was deafening. I showed the screenshot of the successful transfer to the Save manager to see.

“I have paid the fine in full.”

I put the glass of wine on the table. The bottom of the glass touched the table with a crisp "click" sound.

“General Manager Chu, Manager Liu, everyone… my father is not feeling well, I will leave first.”

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. One step at a time. Back straight. Behind was a long, suffocating silence. As soon as I stepped out of the hotel door, the cold wind immediately rushed into my collar. I took out my phone and looked at the name "Dad" on the screen. Tears finally fell. Zhou Kaiming. This game... It's officially starting now. The next morning, I showed up at the company on time. The makeup on her face was so perfect that no one could see any emotions. The eyes of my colleagues looking at me were filled with everything - pity, gloating, and even a bit of caution. Vuong Le, my number one opponent, passed by holding a cup of coffee.

“Oh, Trinh Suong, I thought you had no more face to come to the company today.”

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for the entire circle of people around to hear clearly. I didn't reply, turned on the computer, and started processing the backlog of emails. Everything is normal as if nothing had ever happened. Like the person who was publicly humiliated last night… wasn't me. At ten o'clock in the morning, Tieu Truong rushed over to the market room.

"Miss Suong! Help me! Please sign this payment slip for me quickly, the customer is waiting for the payment!"

This is an all too familiar story. I am the ace of the number one sales department. Because of work efficiency, many processes are done first and reported later. If there are any missing documents, they will be added later. Chu Khai Minh also kept his eyes open and let it go. I received the slip and glanced at it.

“Your department director hasn't signed yet.”

Tieu Truong was so impatient that she stomped her feet.

"Oh, Ms. Suong, our director is on a business trip and won't be back in two days! The customer side is very pushy, please sign first for me. When I come back, I'll ask the boss to sign additional documents later. Haven't you always done that before?"

I raised my head and looked at him seriously.

"Tieu Truong, according to the company's financial regulations, chapter seven, section three, all expense payment documents must have the signature of the highest-ranking person in charge of the department before they can be transferred to the cross-checking stage."

I gave him the payment slip back.

"My place is the first station of cross-examination. Without the signature of your department director, I cannot sign."

Tieu Truong's expression turned from impatient to surprised. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but looking at my calm, unruffled eyes, he finally swallowed it back.

“Sister Suong… are you… still angry about yesterday?”

“I'm not angry.”

I calmly replied:

“I'm just following company rules.”

Tieu Truong took the ticket and sadly left.