Chapter 12
Gemma couldn’t believe how fast I’d taken the bait.
She immediately updated her post with screenshots of our conversation (with the names blurred out p>
JOMG GIRLS THE UPDATE! I looked it up–taking kickbacks over $300K is a minimum three year sentence, and this dummy not only took it, she tried to NEGOTIATE UP p>
[LMEA00000! $500K locked in! Definitely enough to keep her locked up for YEARS! I told y’all she was dumb as rocks–without that lucky break, she’d
be nothing
She was practically vibrating with excitement.
The comments exploded:
[NO WAY! Girl moves FAST!] Latest content published on ~net
This woman seems shady AF! Negotiating kickbacks like a pro–definitely not her first rodeo p>
[Sis. I’m rooting for you! Destroy her p>
[$500K?! The AUDACITY! Hope she likes orange jumpsuits p>
[I’m personally following this saga p>
Gemma was on cloud nine:
[Thanks for the support, babes! I just can’t stand these parasites who don’t work for what they have p>
Though she was still a little worried:
[This means I’m making zero profit and actually losing $400K! What if the report doesn’t stick and she won’t give me my money back p>
A helpful commenter jumped in:
[It’s a public company, right? Just make the biggest scene possible p>
(Call reporters, go live on social media… hell, get the cops involved and show up at her office! ]
[Whatever you do, DON’T give cash! Use Venmo or Zelle and put ‘kickback payment‘ in the memo! Then claim she used her position to extort it from you p>
Gemma replied cheerfully:
[Perfect! Thanks babe! Love y’all p>
Three days later.
A delivery truck with “Artisan Delights Vermont” printed on the side pulled up to Stellaris Corporation’s loading dock right on schedule.
Gemma climbed out of a slightly beat up white sedan.
She’d obviously put effort into her look today.
A tasteful business dress, perfectly applied makeup, freshly curled hair styled to perfection.
But no amount of foundation could hide the exhaustion and calculating look that life had etched into her features.
Chapter 3
“Delilah p>
The moment she spotted me, she rushed over with a smile that was equal parts enthusiastic and desperate:
“Everything’s here! Ten thousand boxes, not one missing! The manufacturer was so impressed with your huge order, they threw in a hundred boxes of their new limited edition as a thank you gift p>
I nodded slightly and gestured to the warehouse supervisor behind me:
“Morrison, get your team to verify everything. Standard protocol–spot–check every case p>
“Copy that p>
Morrison responded respectfully and immediately directed the loading crew and quality inspectors into action.
When those hundred complimentary boxes were carried off first, I caught a flash of regret across Gemma’s face.
The verification process took nearly an hour.
The whole time, Gemma kept trying to make small talk with me.
She kept steering the conversation toward my income, salary, company benefits, her tone barely concealing her fishing expedition and bitter curiosity
I gave her polite but distant responses.
After I signed the delivery confirmation, she handed me the invoice with a flattering smile:
“So, old friend, I’m counting on you to push through that final payment p>
I nodded coolly:
“No problem. It’ll clear within three days p>
“Amazing, thank you SO much p>
Gemma was practically bouncing with excitement.
She needed that payment to clear before she could execute her little scheme.
Suddenly, her eyes darted around:
“How come I don’t see any other procurement team leads? You should introduce me p>
I looked puzzled:
“Why p>
She laughed awkwardly:
“Well, your company’s gonna need chocolates in the future, right? I’m worried about what happens if your role ever changes, so I thought p>
I understood before she finished.
She wants me fired but still wants to keep our company’s business?
Dream on.
Gemma scanned the area and her gaze landed on a man in the nearby lounge area:
“Who’s that? ”
Ryder Thorne was wearing an impeccably tailored charcoal bespoke suit today.
Chapter 3
His long legs crossed elegantly as he looked down at his tablet, handling emails.
Sunlight streamed through the massive floor to ceiling windows, highlighting his sharp, commanding profile.
“Oh.” I paused briefly and casually introduced him: “That’s Mr. Thorne, our CEO. He’s doing a department inspection today p>
Gemma’s eyes immediately lit up like Christmas morning.
he instantly plastered on her sweetest smile, fluffed her carefully styled curls, and sashayed her way over to Ryder Thorne,
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.