Kate didn't appreciate my attitude.
"Are you deaf or mute? Didn't you hear me talking?"
"Or do you think another company will actually want you after you leave?"
I moved her arm aside and left without looking back.
Two days later, Corporate Headquarters parachuted in a new president.
On his first day, he emphasized that the new project had to be secured and asked about progress. Headquarters was taking this seriously—no mistakes would be tolerated.
After that, he signaled for Kate to call in the person in charge.
When Nolan appeared, the boss hesitated.
"I remember the project lead was a deputy supervisor with the last name Fox? Where is he? Have him come see me now."
Kate introduced Nolan to the new president, explaining that he was now handling the project. In front of the boss, she praised him to the skies.
Nolan was the director's son, yet he'd become a snake eating from the inside. Helping his father's mistress while secretly going after his own mother.
But the real reason—only I knew it best.
He started getting carried away, actually believing his own hype. He guaranteed the boss he'd secure the new project within three days.
"Three days? How about this—I'll give you five." That was Kate. "If you land this project, I'll personally promote you to assistant manager."
She'd meant to do that for a while. The new project was practically a sure thing—perfect leverage for Nolan's promotion.
"Really? Thank you, Ms. Matthews!"
The new boss had just taken office, so he couldn't say much outright. He sized up Nolan and reminded him that this project was critical to the company. Whatever method he used, he had to secure it.
Five days passed quickly. Then I got a call from Kate.
"Something at the company needs handling. Come in if you have time."
I didn't understand how she still had the nerve to order me around.
"Ms. Matthews, I already resigned, didn't I?"
"Correct. And?"
Her voice turned cold. "2:30 p.m. My office."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
At 3:00 p.m., my phone rang again. Still Kate.
"Where are you? It's already three—why aren't you here?!"
"Since you can't understand, I'll spell it out. I resigned five days ago. I'm no longer a subordinate you can summon whenever you want."
Silence. Then her voice came through.
"The agreement has a clause stating that even after leaving, you're still obligated to return and resolve matters within your scope."
"You didn't just sign it without reading, did you?"
I really hadn't looked carefully. And I'd guessed she wouldn't let this go.
So I told her to wait—I had no idea when I'd arrive.
For once, Kate didn't blow up. She just told me to hurry.
By the time I got to the company, it was almost end of day.
The moment I entered the conference room, I realized Kate and Nolan weren't the only ones waiting. There was also a middle-aged man I'd never seen before.
Kate glanced at her watch and demanded to know why I was so late. Then she turned to the stranger. "Mr. Hansen, this is Ian Fox, the one you wanted to see."
"He's always been lax—late arrivals, early departures. No sense of time whatsoever."
Nolan chimed in from the side. "Lax? When he was here, he was practically lawless!"
They did it on purpose. That's why Kate hadn't blown up earlier—she'd wanted me to keep the boss waiting. Tank his impression of me before I even walked in.
"You're Ian Fox from the sales department?"
