No Commission? Watch Me Raise Hell in the Tax Bureau

At the contract-signing meeting, a major client casually asks our new technician if she can handle her alcohol.

She immediately pours a glass of red wine over his head and says coolly, "This sort of socializing is a bad habit. I'm putting an end to it."

Leon Langley, a top client who brings the company 300 million dollars in annual revenue, flies into a rage and tears up the contract on the spot.

As the project lead, I bend over backward to apologize and drink with Mr. Langley until I'm hospitalized with gastric bleeding—just to salvage the deal.

When I report the incident to my boss, he scolds me instead. "As the person in charge, you nearly ruined the project. Forget the three-million-dollar commission we planned to give you. Consider this a warning."

After that, I put Hannah Storrie's name on the department's downsizing review list.

She sneers. "I'm a top talent the boss poached at great expense. I'm not some cheap hostess who survives by smiling and drinking like you.

"Firing me would be throwing the company down the drain. When that happens, you'll be begging me to come back."

I ignore her. However, when the review period ends, the name on the layoff list turns out to be mine.

My boss seizes the opportunity to announce that Hannah will replace me as the new sales director.

"Clients are extremely important to us. You don't seriously think you're capable of landing them, do you?

"Hannah's is more qualified, more tech-savvy, and prettier than you. She's clearly the better choice."

I simply smile, turn around, and dial a number.

"Mr. Holmes, you mentioned last time you wanted to poach me, right? I'm in."

My voice was steady as I spoke in the stairwell.

"Julia, your talent won't be wasted at our company," Mr. Holmes said, sounding pleased on the other end of the line. "In addition to the salary we discussed before, I'll also give you equity incentives."

After a few polite exchanges, I hung up and prepared to return to my desk for the handover. However, the moment I stepped out of the stairwell, I ran into Hannah Storrie and several colleagues.

"Well, if it isn't Ms. Quigley. You weren't hiding in the stairwell crying by yourself, were you?" Hannah drawled out. Her voice dripped with feigned concern.

"Don't be discouraged, though. A social butterfly like you will be popular anywhere. Surrounded by men, you'll never have to worry about running out of business."

My expression darkened as I snapped, "Hannah, what exactly are you implying? I got where I am through my own abilities. Who are you to take cheap shots at me?"

Before Hannah could respond, the woman beside her scoffed.

"Got where you are? Julia, you've already been laid off," Ava Clarkson shot back. "Stop using that line to intimidate Ms. Storrie."

Several others also chimed in.

"Who does she think she is? In the end, she's just a workhorse. And she has the nerve to put on airs."

Another colleague snorted. "Please, she's only a few years older than us. So what if she's more senior than us? It's not a big deal."

"Exactly. Give her clients to Ms. Storrie, and the numbers might look even better."

Someone clicked their tongue. "Well, Ms. Storrie isn't as shameless as she is. She's way too comfortable dealing with a bunch of dirty old men. Who knows what she does behind the scenes?"

My gaze drifted across their faces, and my heart sank.

"Are you insulting me, or are you insulting our clients' integrity?"

When these people first joined the company, every single one of them had benefited from my help and recommendations. Back when I was still in charge, they had all been close to me.

I never expected them to turn on me so quickly.

"Ava, when you first joined, you were constantly taking leave because of family issues. It nearly cost you your job, but I was the one who stood up for you and kept you here.'

I turned to another male colleague and stated calmly, "And you. When you transferred into our department and couldn't close a single deal, I was the one who ran around helping you secure your first client."