Victor had taken on a wave of new orders, and keeping the workers on the clock through the long holiday weekend meant paying double overtime.
If that instrument went down, the penalties alone would bankrupt him.
"Layla, you're really leaving?"
Sybilla's face was all surprise, but it melted into a grin almost immediately. "Well, I guess that's for the best!"
"Your salary was way too high, Layla."
"Mr. Henson's been saying for a while now that keeping you on was dragging the whole company down."
"But don't worry, Mr. Henson. I've had that instrument figured out for ages. Layla leaving won't affect operations one bit!"
Sybilla looked at me with absolute certainty as she spoke.
I just smiled.
Looking at her standing there, I couldn't quite keep the disgust off my face.
If she hadn't spent every day since joining the company whispering in Victor's ear that I didn't actually understand the technology, that her skills far surpassed mine, he never would have believed it.
"In that case, Mr. Henson, here's my handover checklist."
I held out the document I'd prepared.
Every known issue with the instrument was listed in detail.
I knew that even with everything spelled out line by line, Sybilla wouldn't be able to make sense of it.
But I had to write it all down.
Because I knew exactly what would happen. Even after I was gone, Sybilla would find a way to pin the blame on me.
This checklist was my proof.
Every problem that machine had, I'd documented in black and white.
And in my previous life, I'd repaired it with my own hands. I knew every fault inside and out.
"Layla, we don't need your little checklist. I know exactly what's wrong with that machine!"
Sybilla was putting on a show for Victor, projecting confidence she didn't earn.
I smiled, then turned and handed the document to Victor. "Mr. Henson, since that's settled, this document is in duplicate. Sign both copies, and I'll take one with me."
I met his eyes. "After all, if anything goes wrong down the line, I'd like to have proof that I did my part."
Something in my tone made Victor pay attention. He straightened up slightly.
He read through the document carefully. Every item was a maintenance protocol for the instrument.
Then he passed it to Sybilla.
She glanced at it the way someone skims a restaurant menu they've already decided on. Then she looked up at me. "This is it, Layla?"
"I've been doing the maintenance work on that machine myself."
"Obviously I know how to maintain it."
She lifted her chin, smug as ever.
I just smiled.
Every bit of that maintenance work had been done under my guidance. She thought she could manage without me.
And now she was scrambling to claim credit right in front of Victor.
I understood perfectly. Sybilla knew this was the moment to grab whatever glory she could, and she knew I wouldn't bother fighting her for it.
I kept smiling, watching as Victor signed both copies and pressed the company stamp onto each one. Only then did I relax.
I stood up. "Mr. Henson, now that you've signed, I'm officially no longer an employee of this company."
"I'll pack my things and be out of here."
Victor looked at me, frowning. "Layla, I have no problem with you leaving. But I'm having security escort you out."
"You are not to take any company property with you."
The words had barely left his mouth before Sybilla chimed in. "Exactly, Layla. Who knows if you'd try to leak company secrets?"
I looked at the two of them and shook my head.
