Chapter 3

3

I looked around the room, meeting everyone's gaze before landing on Leo.

"Last quarter, I brought in a thirty-million-dollar deal. The company promised me a two-million-dollar bonus in writing."

I paused and looked at the other employees who were watching.

"Instead of a check, I got a termination letter. Bill used some fake excuse about bad luck to rob me."

The office went silent as I let that sink in.

"If he can do this to me after everything I did for this firm, what do you think he'll do to you when it's your turn?"

A few people shifted uncomfortably and avoided looking at Bill.

Bill's face was turning a dangerous shade of purple.

I gave a mocking little laugh.

"You guys are brave for staying here and working for a man who stabs his best people in the back."

"Sean, shut your mouth!"

Leo shouted before Bill could even react.

"That deal only happened because of Bill's high-level connections. You think you did that on your own?"

"In this world, it's about who you know, not what you do. You're ungrateful and don't deserve to be here!"

It was almost funny listening to him.

I had spent three months doing market research and learning the client's every need.

I stayed up for weeks drafting a proposal that saved them millions while maximizing our profit.

But Bill thought it was all because he took the client out for a few drinks.

"Sean, get the hell out of here before I have you thrown out."

Bill was practically shaking with rage now.

I didn't care. I took off my ID badge and tossed it into the trash can.

"Don't worry, Bill. The next time we meet, I'll be the one telling you where to go."

I went home and gathered all my certifications.

A month later, I officially started my new job at the federal regulatory agency.

My team's first assignment was a deep-dive investigation into several mid-sized firms.

One of the names on my list was Sterling Corp.