“Of course we’re going with VP Sophia!”
“Where Sophia goes, we go.”
Their replies were exactly what I expected.
After packing up, I went to hand Richard my resignation.
From the doorway, I overheard him speaking with Emily.
“What if Sophia really quits?” Emily asked.
“She won’t. I know she’s secretly in love with me. All I need to do is crook a finger, and she’ll willingly work herself to death for me.”
“But does she even have $9 million?”
“That’s her problem. She took $10 million from me last time—I’ll get it back.”
“You’re brilliant, Richard. I admire you so much.”
Their flirtatious whispers and moans made me nauseous.
I straightened my clothes and walked in.
They were half-dressed; Richard looked momentarily flustered.
“Richard, I’m here to resign. I won’t be coming in tomorrow.”
I slammed my resignation letter on his desk.
“The $9 million fine will be wired to the company account within a week.”
Without hesitation, I turned to leave.
“Wait, Sophia! Think this through!”
He grabbed my arm, disbelief written on his face.
“As soon as you pay, your Chief Engineer position is still yours.”
“No thanks. I’m not interested.”
I tore off my company badge and threw it on the floor.
“Then… how about just $5 million?”
“Are you really quitting over three ice creams and a fine?”
“Emily was only thinking of the company. We built this together—can you really abandon it?”
“Richard, don’t forget—I have a cousin who studied abroad, won plenty of awards. He can handle the projects Sophia worked on,” Emily cut in, eager to drive me out.
Richard loosened his grip on me.
“Really?”
“Of course, Richard. Don’t you trust me?” Emily cooed, draping herself against him.
I knew her so-called cousin well: a graduate of some third-rate overseas college, parading fake awards.
If he became Skyline’s Chief Engineer, the company was doomed.
As soon as I resigned, my employees came in one by one to hand over theirs.
Seeing his core team side with me, Richard exploded.
“So that’s it, Sophia? If I can’t have you, you’ll destroy me?”
“You’re taking away half my company—are you trying to bankrupt me?”
I shrugged. “They’re leaving of their own free will. Not my problem.”
“Why don’t you ask your precious Emily what she’s been doing since she arrived?”
“I… I did it all for the company!” Emily stammered.
“Oh really? Like fining people $200 for being one minute late, $300 for staying in the restroom over ten minutes, $500 for taking a private call?”
Other employees shouted in agreement:
“Exactly! With Emily here, working became unbearable. Even Richard wasn’t this cruel.”
“Get out, all of you!” Richard roared. “I was too soft before. You broke the rules—you should be punished! These days, with high salaries, I can always hire new people.”
