Chapter 3

"Lucas, is this how a senior employee sets an example?" Olivia's voice dripped with disdain.

"Skipping work for two consecutive days - you're nothing but a bad influence!"

"I didn't build this company so you could slack off and collect a paycheck!"

"Starting tomorrow, your performance bonuses for the next year are canceled. And you can forget about being a director anymore. Go be Jack's assistant and learn how to be a proper employee!"

Hearing Olivia's harsh punishment, my colleagues didn't even try to hide their mockery.

Given the company's small size and Jack's embellishments, I had long since become everyone's scapegoat.

But Olivia's accusation of absenteeism was completely baseless.

Last month, I had already applied for and been approved for a week of external business trips that didn't require clocking in at the office.

She had personally signed off on it herself.

In reality, this was just an excuse Olivia had concocted to help Jack get revenge.

Seeing me lower my head silently, Olivia's brows furrowed.

"Lucas, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?"

"The baby just had an accident. Hurry up and help Jack clean up unless you want the whole office to stink!"

But I remained motionless.

After all, I was now the true owner of this company.

Before I could speak, Jack jumped in, putting on an act of being the good guy.

"Olivia, don't be angry. Lucas must be exhausted from his business trips the past couple days."

"I'm young and energetic. I can handle working and taking care of the baby at the same time."

But before he could make a move, Olivia stopped him worriedly.

"No need. You've been so busy these past few months with the birth and childcare. You've gotten so thin!"

"Besides, you just got promoted and took over that big project. Focus on preparing your presentation for the upcoming press conference."

"As for him, if he still wants to keep his job here, let him do some grunt work. It'll cure his laziness and show him how tough you've had it taking care of the baby."

I watched the concern in Olivia's eyes as she looked at Jack, finding the whole situation absurd.

Jack was nothing but a smooth talker.

At work, he pawned off both childcare and his actual job responsibilities to suck-up colleagues while he hid in his office eating fried chicken and playing video games.

Meanwhile, I had been running all over securing deals these past few years as the company struggled.

I even rushed to sign a contract with a client right after a car accident instead of going to the hospital. Even the client was moved by my dedication.

But in Olivia's eyes, I had somehow become a lazy freeloader.

The difference in how she treated us couldn't be more stark.

Coming back to my senses, I stared directly at Olivia and spoke evenly:

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the company handbook explicitly prohibit bringing infants to the office as it disrupts work?"

"And I had already applied for and been approved for external business trips that don't require clocking in. You have no grounds to punish me."

This was probably the first time in seven years that I had openly contradicted Olivia.

She was momentarily stunned. But she quickly recovered, letting out a scornful laugh.

"Lucas, I'll admit, you've gotten my attention. But you're going about it all wrong."

"I am the CEO of this company. If I say you were absent without leave, then you were absent without leave!"

"As for those projects and client files you're working on, I've already had everything backed up. Did you really think you were irreplaceable?"

"HR, draft up his termination papers. And notify all our partner companies to blacklist him from future employment."

As HR was about to comply, I stopped them.

"No need. I've already prepared the termination papers myself."

Jack's face lit up with glee, though he still put on a show of reluctance.

"Lucas, why are you being so stubborn?"

"Why don't you just apologize to Olivia? She's so kindhearted, I'm sure she'd let you keep a job cleaning toilets or something, given how you used to take care of her."

Meanwhile, Olivia's chin lifted even higher seeing me stop HR.

"I didn't expect you to be so self-aware."

"How about this - seeing as you've been a useful dog, if you voluntarily give up..."

Before Olivia could finish, I cut her off and tossed two termination letters to her and Jack.

"Enough with the nonsense. You can both get out now."

Looking at her own termination letter, Olivia froze for a moment before letting out a contemptuous laugh.

"What authority do you have as an employee to fire me?"

I smiled coldly and pulled out the official notice of shareholding transfer.

"Ms. Olivia - no, make that just Olivia - you seem to have a very selective memory."

"Take a good look. I am now the CEO and controlling shareholder of this company."

"As for you and Jack, you're both fired effective immediately for violating company policies and attempting to steal confidential information. I've already given you your termination letters!"