Chapter 3

Someone tagged me in the group chat. "Dylan, my wife is allergic to shrimp, so make sure you steam a whole grouper just for her. Your family's loaded anyway. A single fish is nothing to you."

Another message popped up right after. "My dad has gout and can't eat shellfish. Prepare a bowl of sea cucumber millet risotto for him. Make sure it's made to order. Don't try to fool us with overnight leftovers."

I scoffed. Free food and drinks weren't enough. Now they were treating me like their personal servant?

I didn't reply to a single message.

The next morning, I went straight to Landon's office. He was sitting on the couch sipping coffee.

I got right to the point. "Mr. Todd, did you see the messages I sent you yesterday? That seafood restaurant really isn't mine—"

Landon's expression instantly darkened, and he set his cup down with a sharp clink. "Dylan, your attitude is a serious problem."

My heart sank.

Frowning, he tapped the desk forcefully with his finger. "Do you honestly think I care that much about celebrating my birthday? Do you think I want a seafood dinner very badly? I'm doing this for the company!"

He slapped the desk, looking thoroughly disappointed. "Stanley is a senior employee. He's paying out of his own pocket and doing all the prep work to organize a team-building event. And for what? To give a new hire like you a chance to shine in front of me!

"Instead of being grateful, you're standing here spinning lies. It's incredibly disappointing."

I balled my hands into fists. My voice rose despite myself. "I'm not lying—"

He cut me off with a wave of his hand. "Enough. Teamwork is a massive component of your probation review. Go back to your desk and think about that."

With that, he pushed me out and slammed the door shut behind me.

The moment I sat back down at my cubicle, a shadow loomed over me.

Stanley stood there with his arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Dylan, you're the new guy here. Don't take things so seriously. Sometimes you just gotta take one for the team. It's just a seafood dinner. Keep the boss happy, and your permanent contract is practically a done deal."

He offered his advice with mock earnestness. "When I first started, I spent a whole year catering to the senior staff hand and foot. I didn't even complain."

I said nothing, keeping my head down as I began packing up my things.

Stanley's expression shifted. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm quitting."

Several coworkers looked up at the same time.

Stanley blinked, and his voice climbed an octave. "You're quitting? Over a single dinner?"

He started shouting for the whole office to hear. "Hey everyone, listen to this! Young people these days are so fragile. We ask to have a meal at his place, and he acts like it's the end of the world, like we're bullying him or something!"

The surrounding coworkers sneered.

"Who does he think he's threatening with a resignation? If you're gonna leave, just go. You haven't even passed probation yet. Stop acting like you're irreplaceable."

"Drop the act. Just say it if you want more money. Playing this card is pathetic."

Ignoring them, I walked back to Landon's office and handed him my resignation letter.

Landon slapped it straight onto the floor without looking up. "Wait for approval."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he slammed his desk impatiently. "This is a company, not your house. You don't get to just come and go as you please! Wait for approval!"

I stared at him silently for two seconds, then turned and walked out.

Back at my desk, Stanley mocked me. "Thought you were quitting? Why are you still here?"

Jeers echoed around the room.

"What a drama king, acting for an audience. Honestly, Stanley, just forget it. He's acting like we're asking for his life when we just want to eat at his place," someone chimed in sarcastically.

Stanley let out a cold laugh. "Oh, I'm absolutely eating that dinner!"

He glared at me viciously. "Dylan, you better wise up and stop making everyone angry, or no one's going to save you when things go south!"

I looked down at my phone and opened my chat with Charles. "Charles, I need to ask you for a favor."