"And then there's your department. All you do is make PowerPoints and hand out fines. Missed a clock-in? Two hundred dollars. Messy desk? Two hundred. Didn't say hi to the boss? Three hundred."
I laughed—bitter and sharp.
"What heroes you all are! Such generous contributors!"
"If this company won't give us the bonuses we earned, then don't expect us to put in unpaid overtime ever again!"
"We may be the nice guys, but we're not stupid! Feed us enough empty promises and even an idiot figures out they're fake!"
I turned and walked out, ignoring the VP's darkening expression.
Behind me came the crash of chairs hitting the floor.
So much for his mild-mannered act—that only lasted until someone touched his money.
When it came down to it, there was no way this bonus fiasco happened without VP Sawyer's fingerprints all over it. I'd stake my life on it.
Back at the department, fourteen pairs of hopeful eyes turned toward me.
My nose stung. I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come.
Milton managed a smile, though it couldn't hide the bitterness underneath.
"My mom's legs aren't doing so well. We'll skip Capital City this year. The bonus... forget it."
One of the younger women wiped her tears.