Chapter 3

"Three times the pay," I told Denise. "Would you come with me?"

Her eyes filled. I also spoke to our bookkeeper, Peter, who was tired of being treated as disposable.

The next morning, Tessa appeared with an expense report for a business trip. The receipts included an expensive hotel, first-class tickets, and restaurant charges for nearly $26,000. Many expenses had no adequate supporting records.

"These aren't compliant receipts," I said. "We can't reimburse the undocumented items as business expenses."

Tessa immediately began crying.

"I was entertaining potential clients! Claire just hates me."

I explained that company policy capped hotel rates and required itemized invoices. Blake waved the evidence away.

"Why are you making life difficult for her? Approve it."

"If we pay without documentation, the accounting and tax treatment has to reflect that."

"You're just jealous because she has a future here and you don't," he snapped.

Tessa smiled through her tears. Blake ordered the full reimbursement, despite the cash shortage.

I asked him to confirm his decision in writing. He did.

That afternoon, my resignation letter landed in his inbox. I had documented the unapproved entries, prepared a responsible handover, and refused to falsify any record.

I wasn't trying to destroy the company. I was simply no longer willing to protect a man who attacked me for doing my job.