The crucial project coordination meeting began that afternoon.

Albert and his team had already taken their seats in the meeting room. From my desk, I could vaguely hear the conversation going on. There was not as much contention as I predicted.

After a long time, the meeting doors opened. Richard accompanied Albert and his team out, smiling in relief.

"Mr. Wood, don't worry. Jessica might be young, but she's a fast learner. We'll do a great job on the project!" Richard grovelled.

Albert nodded faintly as he said to the eager-looking Jessica, "Ms. Sanders, your report was clear and concise. You've laid a great foundation. Keep it up."

It was not a huge compliment, but it felt like a praise from the angels in heaven.

"Thank you, Mr. Wood! I won't let you down!" Jessica exclaimed with trembled excitement.

After sending Albert off, Richard patted Jessica's shoulder and praised her generously, "Great job! I knew you could do it! Those snobs who think highly of themselves should see what it means for the younger generation to surpass the old!"

Around the office, glances drifted toward me. Some intentional, some not.

Jessica said smugly, "Eva, did you hear what Mr. Wood said? I mean, it's really nothing. It's just a basic analysis report. It might be challenging for some people, but I think that as long as you put your mind to it, there's nothing that can't be done."

She deliberately opened the folder and waved it in front of me. "See, it really doesn't matter. The company will still go on even without you. In fact, it might even be better."

One glance was enough for me to recognize the report as the one saved on my computer.

I said calmly, "The report that you handed to Mr. Wood was the document from my computer, right?"

Jessica huffed, a little embarrassed. "So, what? The computer belongs to the company! Naturally, the documents on them belong to the company as well! I'm the project manager using the company's resources. Is that a problem?"

I replied, "Sure, but don't just take credit for other people's work. That's just theft."

That struck a nerve with Jessica.

Her voice turned shrill as she replied, "Nonsense! I was just using it as a reference and inspiration. Mr. Gray said that every resource is in the service of the project!

"I've already copied all the information regarding this business deal. There's nothing left in the computer. Whether you're here or not, it doesn't matter to this project anymore!"

I snickered. "Well, good luck then!"

The files and information on my computer were the initial draft of the project. It had nothing to do with the core of the project at all.

It was still alright for the time being, but if she continued using those files in the computer, things were about to get interesting.

The project seemed to be going smoothly for some time under Jessica's guidance based on the foundation and structure that I had laid down previously.

It even made Richard think that he no longer needed me anymore.

Several long-time clients under my care were forcibly reassigned to other colleagues under the pretext of centralizing management.

At the same time, his passive-aggressive jabs and pressure came from all directions.

At a meeting one morning, he suddenly called me out. "Eva, I reviewed your workload for the month. Your sheet is practically blank. The company doesn't pay for freeloaders. You'd better buck up!"

While passing my seat, when he saw me browsing industry news, he would say mockingly, "Wow, look at you. You seem to be quite free. Perhaps you've already found a new job. If you have, just hurry up and go. You're just taking up space here."

He even had the admin department send me an email, under the pretext of optimizing office space, ordering me to move my workstation to a dim corner near the restroom with almost no natural light.

I did not put up a fight.

I calmly packed up my belongings and moved my workstation over to the new spot. I accepted every form of petty nitpicking and sabotage without any reaction.

Richard finally lost his patience and decided to confront me. He summoned me to his office and cut straight to the point.

"Eva, let's speak frankly."

He leaned back on his swivelling chair and said to me condescendingly, "Everyone has seen your recent behavior. You're passive, lazy, and disengaged. You're seriously harming the company's atmosphere and the team's morale."

I asked, perplexed, "Mr. Gray, when have I been passive and lazy?"

He snickered and replied, "You still won't admit to it? You clock out right on time every day. You won't accept new projects or maintain your old clients. You're either playing games or browsing the internet. Are you not slacking off?"

"Mr. Gray, you've misunderstood," I said earnestly.

"I don't easily pick up calls from our clients because I'm worried I might speak out of turn. I won't do complicated projects because I might miscalculate. I won't work late because I'm worried I might waste the company's resources and cause more loss."

I added, "I'm just following your instructions to the letter. I'm minimizing risk and doing everything I can to not create new losses for the company."

He pointed at me. "Y-You…"

Richard could not form a single coherent sentence.

All he clearly wanted was for me to resign on my own because he did not want to pay me severance.

I asked directly, "Mr. Gray, all in all, you’re just trying to avoid the cost of firing me, aren’t you??"

He raised his voice to cover up his guilty conscience. "Nonsense! This company operates strictly by the rules. It's your attitude that’s the problem! You're simply not keeping up with the company’s growth!"

Looking at his outburst, nothing but bravado covering a hollow core, I found it all comical.

Solving big problems with the smallest possible cost had always been his guiding principle.

I did not want to continue arguing with him about severance. It was beneath me.

The only reason I held on was because I was waiting to see what was about to unfold.

I calmly replied, "I will resign in two days."

Two days were more than enough.

It was enough for that stolen, outdated analysis report to detonate every hidden flaw once the project reached its critical testing phase.

Richard looked triumphant. He must have thought that I could no longer take the pressure, so I decided not to fight with him.

He snorted arrogantly. "Hmmph. At least you know your place."

He waved his hand dismissively as if shooing a bothersome fly away. "Get the resignation process done. Don't drag it out and disrupt everyone."

"Okay."

I turned around and left his office.

The project arrived at its critical testing phase as scheduled.

On the morning of the test, the file description and its actual data did not match at all, causing lethal mistakes. The entire project team was in chaos.

Albert and his team were about to arrive to check on the project. If they could not show him the test, not only was the deal called off, but the company would face a huge fine for the breach of contract.

Richard barked, "Jessica, what the hell is going on?! Weren't you in charge of the report and the proposals?"

Jessica was so frightened that she shuddered, and tears instantly fell. "She was the one who did the foundation reports and core modules! I-I merely followed up based on what she did!"

Richard yelled out of the meeting room, "Where the hell is Eva?! Get her in right now!"

I entered with a folder in my hand and replied, "There's no need to shout, Mr. Gray."

Richard said anxiously, "Eva, have a look and see what's going on. Solve this quickly!"

I waved my hands and said innocently, "Mr. Gray, I'm afraid I can't. I just finished the resignation process. I'm no longer an employee of the company."