Chapter 2

02

"Elena, you better show up at the celebration party tomorrow."

The Sales Manager, Brad Thompson, walked past my desk. He made sure to emphasize the word "celebration" to rub it in my face.

I ignored his provocation. There was no point in barking back at a dog.

Once he was gone, the others started complaining.

"I hate this. They always schedule these 'team-building' events on the weekend."

"Right? Who wants to spend their Saturday with coworkers!"

I offered a few words of comfort and confirmed my own plans for the next day.

When the weekend hit, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb. I had zero interest in wasting my time on their pathetic office politics.

Monday morning, the moment I stepped into the office, Miller started laying into me.

"Elena, who do you think you are? The notice went out Friday afternoon. Everyone was required to attend the celebration, but you were the only one missing."

"Tell me, do you have a problem with the company, or is it just me?"

I explained patiently, "Director, the notice was sent right before we clocked out. I already had my weekend planned."

"Oh, so you're the only one with a life? Everyone else has families, yet they managed to show up. Do you think you're special?"

Brad Thompson chimed in immediately, eager to lick Miller's boots. "She's clearly not a team player."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a doctor's note. "This specialist requires a six-month waiting list. If I missed that appointment, could you have gotten me another one for next week?"

"Going to a clinic on my own time shouldn't be a crime, right? Especially for health reasons."

Brad choked on his words, his face turning a shade of purple. After a long pause, he stammered.

"Even so, you shouldn't have missed it. It was the company's night of glory. You obviously don't value this firm."

"Exactly," I countered. "If it was such a big day, why wasn't it scheduled in advance? Waiting until the last minute makes it look like the company doesn't value our time. Who's really the disorganized one here?"

"And why was it on a weekend? Was it to avoid paying us for our time or to stop us from filing for official leave?"

The colleagues around us looked at me with admiration. I was saying everything they were too afraid to say.

Sensing the mood shifting, Miller immediately dropped the hammer.

"Elena Sterling, the Tech Lead, lacks team spirit and is far too entitled. Effective immediately, you are transferred to the Sales Department to learn what 'teamwork' actually means."

"Kevin will take over as the new Tech Lead."

Everyone stared at me.

Some were angry, some were shocked, and some finally connected the dots.

"I knew it. He's been harassing Elena just to clear a spot for his own people."

"No wonder Miller handled the final interviews last month. Kevin is his nephew."

"Exactly. He already controls Sales. Now that Tech is making money, he wants his family in charge of the system too."

I felt completely numb. I had been with this company since graduation.

The salary and benefits they promised back then were all lies, but I stayed because the promotion path seemed fair. I worked my way up to Lead through pure grit.

I thought if I gave my all, I'd be valued. Instead, because I didn't bow down to the right person, I was being sabotaged.

I went back to my station and opened the AI system. As I was typing code, a notification flashed:

【Pre-Christmas Sale starts early!!!】