Smartwatch Win, My $200,000 Bonus Gone

At the company's annual party, I won a smart watch in the third-prize drawing. Because of that, my boss gave the thirty-thousand-dollar Sales Champion bonus that should have been mine to an intern, Amelia Lin.
Ava, he said, one prize per person. That's only fair.
Amelia clutched the sales champion trophy, beaming triumphantly on stage.
I couldn't suppress the rage boiling inside me. Just as I was about to storm the stage and demand justice, my colleague, Chloe, stopped me.
"Amelia is dating Nathan Reed, the CEO of our biggest client. You don't want to mess with her."
Nathan Reed?
My brother-in-law? The one who married into my sister's family and was basically a spineless freeloader?
I immediately pulled out my phone and shot a text to my sister.
"Sis! Get over here! Time to catch a cheater!"
...
Amelia held the trophy, her voice soft and delicate as she delivered her acceptance speech.
"I'd like to thank the company for this opportunity, and Mr. Evans for his recognition. I'll continue to work hard and create even more value for our company."
Before she could finish, I rushed onto the stage and snatched the microphone from her hand.
A piercing shriek of feedback echoed through the speakers, and the entire room fell silent.
"Sales Champion," I said, my voice ringing out. "Does everyone here know what that means?"
Without waiting for a response, I connected my laptop to the projector and displayed the annual performance report that had been sent to the company-wide group chat just three days prior.
My name was at the very top, leagues ahead of everyone else.
I had outsold the person in second place by a full eight million dollars.
Amelia acted as if she hadn't seen it, letting out a soft, dismissive laugh.
"And what does that prove?" she asked, her tone light and flippant. "Just because your numbers are the highest, does that mean you get to erase everyone else's hard work?"
She leaned closer to the microphone, her voice suddenly sharp and loud.
"Besides, Ava, everyone in this company has heard the rumors about how you got those numbers... I bet you've cozied up to every single one of our clients, haven't you?"
"Do you really think someone like you, who uses their looks and schemes to close deals, even deserves to be called the Sales Champion?"
Cozied up to clients?
I hadn't taken a single day off all year.
I was up before the sun and worked late into the night, meeting clients rain or shine. If a client called me at two in the morning, I would crawl out of bed to answer.
Countless days and nights of relentless effort, and in one breath, she had made it all sound worthless.
I forced down my anger and walked right up to her.
"I don't deserve it?"
"Then do you?"
I turned to face the audience, my gaze sweeping over every single person in the room.
"Even if it wasn't me, it should have been Ben Carter in second place. There is no way it should have been you, Amelia."
Ben shot up from his seat, knocking his chair over with a loud crash. His face was pale, and he waved his hands frantically, stumbling over his words.
"Ava! You can't say that!"
"Amelia's numbers... it's because she started late! Right, right! She started late!"
"When I first joined the company, my performance was nowhere near this good. So, if you really think about it, the Sales Champion has to be Amelia!"
"I fully support the company's decision. I have no objections!"
The room was dead silent.
Some stared intently at their phones, others fiddled with the tablecloths. No one dared to speak, and no one dared to meet my eyes.
The unspoken pressure was like a sword hanging over my head.
I looked at Mr. Evans, who had remained silent.
He sat at the head table, slowly turning a teacup in his hands, his face cold and clearly displeased with my actions.
"Ava, you're a senior employee. Don't you know how to consider the bigger picture?"
"This company values teamwork and harmony, not a place for you to be a hero and create conflict!"
He set the teacup down with a sharp clink.
"You've already won a prize. You should be content."
"Do you have to make a scene and embarrass everyone?"
"If you don't even have this basic sense of teamwork, then I don't think you're fit to lead the project team anymore."
"I'll have to reconsider your position as team lead."
Mr. Evans leaned forward, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Now, apologize to Amelia, and we'll put this matter to rest."
My stomach churned with anger. I couldn't understand how such an idiot had become a boss.
"Apologize to her? Not a chance!" Chloe was blinking frantically at me.
"Ava, just give in," she whispered. "Amelia is Nathan Reed's girlfriend. Mr. Evans is treating her like a cash cow, he's terrified of offending her."
Chloe showed me Amelia's social media feed, which was filled with intimate photos of her and Nathan.
My anger flared. I pointed at the pictures and demanded, "What is your relationship with Nathan Reed?"
Amelia was taken aback for a moment, then lifted her chin, a hint of a smirk in her smile.
"We're dating, of course."
My sister still hadn't replied to my text. I tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail.
"Dating? Don't you know Nathan Reed has a wife? Or do you just enjoy being a homewrecker?"
My words were like a stone dropped into a still pond. The silence was finally broken as everyone started whispering, their gazes on Amelia now filled with doubt.
Mr. Evans shot to his feet, slamming his hand on the table.
"Ava, how dare you slander Mr. Reed! I think you're tired of working here!"
...
The next morning, the office was silent and tense.
My desk was completely empty.
My belongings were piled up like trash on a stained, old table in the breakroom.
Amelia was sitting at my desk, meticulously wiping the surface with an alcohol wipe.
When she saw me, she looked up, tossed the used wipe into the trash with disgust, and fanned the air in front of her nose.
"Ava, what do you even do at your desk all day? The smell"
She stood up, her heels clicking on the floor as she walked over to me. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the pile of my things.
"Well, space is tight right now, and there are no other empty desks. From now on, you can sit over there."
A dull throb started in my temples, but my face was a blank mask. My voice was calm.
"And who are you? Since when do you call the shots around here?"
"Ahem!"
A loud, deliberate cough came from the general manager's office. Mr. Evans emerged, his hands clasped behind his back, and strolled into the center of the office.
"Everyone, stop what you're doing. I need two minutes of your time."
"After careful consideration by the management team, we have decided that, effective today, the position of Project Team Lead will be filled by Amelia Lin. She is young, driven, and a fast learner. I am confident she will lead the team to new heights."
He paused, his gaze landing on me like a cold, sharp needle.
"As for the former team lead, Ava Dyer, her disregard for company discipline, public slander of a colleague's reputation, and insubordination towards her superiors have had an extremely negative impact."
"She is hereby demoted to the position of intern, with a three-month probationary period. If any similar behavior occurs during this time, she will be terminated immediately!"
The office erupted. The few colleagues I was close with looked outraged.
"Ava is the backbone of our team's performance! This is so unfair!"
"Seriously, connections are more important than ability, I guess"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, do you want to get fired?"
Amelia stood tall, basking in the attention. "Don't you all have work to do?" she snapped. "Is it your place to question the company's decisions? Anyone else who wants to defend her can join her in the breakroom!"
I didn't want to waste my breath on pointless arguments. I quietly walked over to my new "desk."
It wasn't so bad. Unlimited coffee, all the snacks I could eat, and sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was much more comfortable than my old, cramped cubicle.
I made myself a strong cup of tea, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, and settled in to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Team Lead Amelia was in over her head.
With the year-end approaching, it was a critical time for maintaining client relationships and securing contract renewals.
She went from client to client, armed with thick binders of information, only to be met with vague excuses and delays.
In less than a week, she had managed to bungle three major annual contracts that I had already essentially closed, which were just waiting for the final paperwork.
She stomped into Mr. Evans' office, her heels clicking angrily.
A short while later, Mr. Evans emerged, his face grim. He slammed a stack of voided contracts onto the cluttered table in front of me.
"Ava! Are you behind this?"
His finger was practically in my face.
"Why did these clients suddenly back out? Tell me! Did you contact them privately? Did you say something you shouldn't have?"
I slowly finished my last sunflower seed, took a sip of tea, and looked up at him.
"Mr. Evans, why don't you check the security cameras?"
"I clock in and out on time every day. I haven't strayed more than fifteen feet from this breakroom, and I've barely made any phone calls. What could I possibly have done? Used telekinesis?"
Mr. Evans was speechless. He could only glare at me before storming off.
A few days later, Amelia finally managed to land a deal with a small, new company for a ten-thousand-dollar contract.
The company actually held a special commendation ceremony for it.
Under the spotlight, she held the thin contract, her smile radiant.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Evans called my name again, his voice booming through the microphone.
"Ava, do you see? This company can function perfectly fine without anyone! Always remember to be humble. If you're not as good as someone else, you have to admit defeat!"
Amelia stood beside him, her eyes filled with unconcealed triumph and scorn.
Mr. Evans cleared his throat and delivered the final verdict.
"In light of Ava Dyer's passive performance during her probationary period, the management has unanimously decided to terminate her employment contract, effective immediately."
"Now, please proceed to the HR department to complete your exit procedures."
The room was silent.
I smiled, not bothering to defend myself. I took out my phone and, in front of everyone, left all the company group chats.
The world instantly became much quieter.
As I was packing up my things, the receptionist came running into the office, flustered.
"Mr. Evans! Mr. Evans! Mr. Reed is here! He's just downstairs!"
Amelia's eyes lit up, and she followed Mr. Evans downstairs to greet him.
I set down my cardboard box and waited. I was also looking forward to seeing my dear brother-in-law.
...
Nathan Reed stepped out of the elevator, surrounded by an entourage, his expensive suit jacket casually draped over his arm.
His gaze swept past me as I stood in the hallway holding my box, without a flicker of recognition.
It seemed he had completely forgotten our brief meeting at my sister's wedding four years ago.
Mr. Evans obsequiously ushered Nathan and Amelia into his large office.
The heavy wooden door closed, shutting out all prying eyes.
They were in there for two full hours.
When the door opened again, Mr. Evans was practically glowing.
He was half-bowed, shaking Nathan's hand vigorously.
"Mr. Reed! Mr. Reed! You're a lifesaver! To bring us such a massive annual framework agreement at this critical time, you've saved our entire company!"
Nathan smoothly withdrew his hand, as if he had touched something unclean.
"We've been partners for years. There's a basic level of trust," he said, his tone flat and emotionless.
His eyes fell on Amelia, who was clinging to his side, looking gentle and submissive.
"Besides... I'm sure you understand the relationship between Amelia and me."
Amelia appropriately lowered her gaze, the very picture of a demure, dependent woman.
Nathan continued, "I've offered her a comfortable, respectable position at my company several times, but she insists on making it on her own."
"She's just too pure. She's always worried about gossip, that people will say I'm using my power to help her."
Mr. Evans immediately bowed even lower, his voice oozing with flattery.
"Yes, yes! Everyone can see Ms. Lin's capabilities, and her character is impeccable! You can rest assured, she will never be wronged here!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Nathan raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt in his voice.
"But last night, I heard Amelia say she was treated quite unfairly at the office a few days ago? I believe... someone publicly slandered her?"
A thin layer of cold sweat instantly beaded on Mr. Evans' forehead. His panicked gaze darted around the room before finally landing on me, standing quietly in the corner with my box.
He practically lunged at me, shoving me forcefully in front of Nathan. The push was so hard I stumbled.
"Mr. Reed! A misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"
Mr. Evans' voice was shrill as he rushed to distance himself.
"This was an individual employee's actions! It has nothing to do with our company!"
"She was jealous that Amelia won the Sales Champion award, so she started spreading malicious rumors! As you can see, we've already dealt with her sternly. We've fired her! She's leaving right now!"
All eyes were on me.
I steadied the box in my arms, lifted my head to meet Nathan's scrutinizing gaze, and then, slowly, a smile spread across my face. I raised my free hand and wiggled my fingers at him.
"Long time no see,"
My voice was clear and steady, cutting through the dead silence of the office.
"Brother-in-law."

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