Yvette was the leader of our Foreign Trade Cooperation department. Since she supported Otto, rumored to have close ties with the boss, the others followed her. They were glaring at me with hostile eyes.
I knew it was foolish to fight them right now, so I swallowed my anger and explained.
"This is my watch, so I have the right … "
"How can you be so egoistic? It’s late. For days, all of us have been hungry. What’s wrong with exchanging your watch for food?"
Before I finished, Otto cut me off as if he were a knight in shining armor.
"These are unusual times. Everyone must show selflessness. How can you let all of us starve just because of a watch?"
The others chimed in after him.
"Everyone knows you come from a rich family. A watch means nothing to you. Why are you acting so stingy?"
"He’s the very picture of a rich, heartless man. In his eyes, all our lives together aren’t worth that lousy watch of his."
"If someone so stingy becomes a boss one day, his workers will surely suffer."
***