Chapter 3

Back at my desk, most of my colleagues were sizing me up with a look of eager anticipation, like they were watching a show unfold.

Only Mark and a few other team members gathered around me:

“No way, Alex, you’re really abandoning us and leaving!”

“It’s over, my future is looking bleak!”

“Alex, what will I do without you!”

I let out a soft laugh, telling them to relax. “Cheer up, guys. Greatness awaits you!”

“But if you can’t stand it here, you’re welcome to come find me anytime. I’ve got your backs!”

My dad’s little startup, which he started just for fun, should have no problem hiring a few more people.

“Alex, could you be some kind of secret billionaire heir?!”

Before I could answer, Chloe’s mocking voice came from behind me. “A secret billionaire heir? Is he daydreaming?!”

“He better wake up fast. He’s about to be an unemployed bum. He should be thinking about how to feed himself!”

I turned around and saw Chloe, arm-in-arm with Brandon, looking at me smugly.

Brandon wore a fake smile. “Chloe, don’t say that. Alex must be feeling pretty down about losing his job. Besides, everyone needs dreams, right? What’s the difference between a person without dreams and a total slacker?”

“A slacker? I think he’s a total noob, both pathetic and useless!”

A burst of laughter erupted in the office.

Mark couldn't stand it and wanted to speak up for me, but I stopped him.

My gaze was cold as I looked at Chloe. “Chloe, we were together for five years. I thought even if we broke up, we’d maintain some dignity. How can you be so sure Brandon will help you marry into wealth and become a socialite?”

Chloe snorted. “Brandon can’t do it? And you can? I know my leaving makes you feel sour, but it’s your fault you can’t compare to Brandon in anything. You could work your whole life and still not afford one of Brandon’s cars!”

Many colleagues eager to suck up to Brandon immediately chimed in.

“Exactly! Young Master Brandon is the Crown Prince of our company. He’s not someone just anybody can compare to!”

“These days, so many people resent the wealthy!”

…

Brandon, flattered, started getting a bit full of himself. “Crown Prince? Oh, no, just treat me like a regular colleague!”

These people really just started spouting nonsense, not even caring if they made themselves sick.

Seeing that I didn’t say anything more, Brandon thought I was speechless and became even more smug.

Just then, Robert Henderson walked out.

He glanced at me, then said, “Everyone, prepare for the meeting. As for non-essential personnel, please leave the company as soon as possible!”

I rolled my eyes internally.

He really thought I enjoyed staying here, listening to their meaningless meetings that only served to assert the boss’s dominance!

I don’t know if it was intentional for me to hear, but Robert Henderson actually used a microphone.

His booming voice carried through the glass doors of the conference room:

“I know you young people today are ambitious and hot-headed. You achieve a little success and become arrogant, disrespecting your boss.”

“Here, I advise such people to recognize their place. If you’re really so capable, go start your own company and be the boss. But if you don’t have that ability, no matter how big your temper, you’d better suppress it. Otherwise, like some people, pack your things and get out! The company doesn’t need such troublemakers!”

“Regarding the removal of Alex Miller from his team leader position, it wasn’t nepotism on my part. I made this decision after extensive investigation. The investigation showed Alex Miller’s work attitude was lax, always leaving right at closing time!”

“I run a company to make money, not to do charity. Right now, we’re only doing the infamous 996 (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week). Do you know many companies out there have already started implementing the extreme 001 (midnight to midnight, one day off a week) work system?! You should be grateful how humane our company is!”

Listening to Robert Henderson simultaneously attack me and gaslight everyone outside, I was so shocked I nearly dropped the cup of water in my hand.

Chloe, of all people, was leading the applause. “The boss is so right!”

Amidst the sparse applause, I gathered my things and walked out of the company.

Before I left, I received a mocking SnapChat message from Chloe:

[Brandon said if you really can’t find a job, you can come work as his driver!]