After I Got Kicked Out, They Begged Me to Come Back

The drone program I led to develop won an international award and sold for 300 million.

The company promised me a bonus of five million. But on payday, that five million went to a newly hired intern.

I thought the finance department had made a mistake, so I stormed straight into the CEO's office.

"President Schmidt, wasn't that five-million bonus assigned incorrectly?"

Darlene didn't even bother to lift her eyes as she replied indifferently, "Harold, I looked into it carefully. Most of the core code was written by Lester."

"He's been working overtime until midnight and coming in on weekends. What about you?"

"You finish your work, play with your phone, and leave right on time. Attitude determines everything."

I almost laughed from sheer disbelief. "He's just an intern! Does he even understand all the code?"

"Enough," Darlene cut me off, her tone cold. "The company doesn't make mistakes. I've been watching everyone's performance closely."

"If you're unhappy, you can look for another job."

Saying that, she tossed a resignation letter across the desk.

My heart went cold. I signed my name on the spot.

Before leaving, I threw one last line over my shoulder. "Darlene, if you ever run into any technical issues, go find that hardworking overtime hero Lester. Don't bother coming to me!"

She just smiled, unconcerned. "No problem."

——

As I walked through the office, whispers followed me like shadows.

"Look, he's leaving. His face is darker than a burnt pot."

"Tsk, five million gone—who wouldn't be mad?"

"What’s the point of being mad? If you can’t hold your position, that’s on you. President Schmidt was right—attitude is everything."

"Exactly. Lester works overtime every night while this guy clocks out on the dot and still wants all the credit. What a joke."

A particularly sharp voice chimed in—it was Freddy, who'd always been close to Lester.

"I think he’s just using his seniority to act all high and mighty. Got pushed out? Serves him right!"

"Totally! He thought the project couldn't run without him, but Lester took over and did even better! That so-called 'lead developer' title of his is just a pure fluff."

“I heard he’s been going to the hospital every day last month. Probably some family issue, huh?”

“Hmph, who doesn’t have family problems? What makes him so special?”

“The company values dedication. People like Lester are the true role models.”

"He just can't keep up anymore. Getting replaced was inevitable."

"Giving the five million to Lester makes perfect sense—gotta encourage the young talents."

"Old folks should know when to step aside."

Their words dripped with sarcasm and petty satisfaction—twisting the truth, relishing my downfall.

They'd all conveniently forgotten the past nine years I spent pulling all-nighters, breaking through one technical barrier after another, building this department from scratch.

All they saw was my "leaving work on time" for the past month.

Especially Freddy—always calling me "brother," yet now, his voice was the loudest, spitting venom about how I was "unworthy" and "hogging the spotlight."

I finally couldn't take it anymore. I stopped, turned around, and walked straight to his desk.

He was mid-sentence, sneering.

My gaze fell on the mug on his table—printed with the words Company's Excellence Award.

A souvenir we'd all received last year, after I led the team to win a major contract.

I grabbed it.

Before he could react, I smashed it hard against the floor.

Crash!

The sharp crack echoed through the open office. Porcelain shards scattered everywhere.

The entire floor fell into dead silence.