The newly hired genius programmer was a proud woman who always thought she could turn the entire industry on its head.

When an investor tried to pressure her into drinking, she flipped the table and slapped him across the face.

"My worth is in my programming skills, not my ability to network. Asking me to drink with you is an insult."

Enraged, Clint Warner immediately withdrew the eighty-million investment agreement. He even swore he would never work with us again.

As the Head of Product, I scrambled to apologize. The situation was only salvaged after I drank so much that I ended up hospitalized.

…

Later, I complained to the boss and demanded that he discipline the new hire. To my shock, he dismissed the matter.

"If the employee causes any problem, it's because the supervisor failed in their duty. The promised million-dollar dividend bonus is cancelled. Take this as your warning."

Fed up, I wrote down Mary Hansen's name on the Counseling-Out List.

She couldn't care less.

"I have abilities you’ll never match, unlike a scheming bootlicker like you. If anyone tries to go after me, the project will be halted. Don't come crying to me when everything collapses."

I did not argue with her then. However, when the Counseling-Out List was announced, I found my own name on it.

The boss claimed it was a mistake to force me to leave. Then he promoted Mary to my position and even granted her the authority of a vice president.

"You were only great because of the company's support. Mary's not the same. She's young and truly talented. She’ll lead us to greater heights."

With a cold smirk on my face, I made my way to our competitor, taking the crucial piece of our company's technology with me.

Stolen Credit

"Mr. Chandler, I've decided to accept your offer. Is there still room to negotiate the salary you mentioned last time?"

As I placed the heavy file on the office table, I started the conversation in a cold and composed tone.

"Of course."

The man sitting at the desk readily agreed. "Ms. Lane, you're the type of woman I admire most in the workplace. If you're willing to join us, I personally guarantee your annual dividends will be at least eight figures."

Upon hearing that, any lingering hesitation about leaving my current job—where I earned only three thousand a month—vanished instantly. I signed the contract on the spot.

As I headed back to my old office to complete the handover, I sighed while looking at the familiar decoration around me.

Fresh out of university, I’d been full of ambition. That was how Kai Moran convinced me to join his new startup.

I climbed my way up from the very bottom to become Head of Product. It took ten long years of grinding work, drinking at endless business dinners, until I developed gastric perforation.

I pushed myself to the brink of collapse to bring the company hundreds of millions in profit.

However, all of that work just allowed someone else to shine. Mary Hansen appeared out of nowhere and took away all the credit.

"It's hard to find another job, isn't it? Ms. Lane, you were just kicked out of the office. You sure have the nerve to show up again."

As soon as I walked out of the elevator, I ran into Mary and a few former colleagues.

She looked me up and down with a gloating look in her eyes.

"Don't be upset. In this day and age, anyone willing to let loose and fool around with men can find a job somewhere."

My expression darkened. As I did not want to argue with her, I moved to leave.

However, Mary stopped me. "What's the rush? Did I hit a sore spot?"

"You know exactly what you did to get where you are." Then, she continued. "What? Am I not allowed to mention all the fun you had?"

She intentionally raised her voice as though to attract everyone's attention.

That caused countless scornful glances to turn to me in an instant.

Unable to hold back any longer, I scowled and snapped back, "Stop spouting nonsense, Mary. Just who told you that results only come from sleeping around? If that's true, there wouldn't be a single innocent soul in the sales department!"

No sooner had I spoken than Rory Payne, my former assistant, stepped forward with a mocking snort. "Eliza, we're just implying things. No one's forcing you to confess. Why are you so angry?"

The others all nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. She's no longer the head, yet she's still acting all high and mighty."

Mass Betrayal

"I've disliked Eliza for a long time. There aren't many projects to go around, yet she always steals the job. In the end, nothing comes of it," someone said.

"Mary’s growth was slow only because she’s not as loose as Eliza. Once, an old pervert grabbed her bottom, and she didn’t even react. Deep down, she must’ve enjoyed it."

My entire body went ice cold as disappointment washed over me.

"We've worked together for years. I've helped you all the time, and you all know my true nature. Now, just to brown-nose the new supervisor, you throw away your dignity!" I snapped.

People had always been fickle.

However, I had always treated my subordinates like they were my friends.

When the company’s cash flow ran dry and layoffs started, I used my own money to keep the staff employed.

"Rory, when you first joined us, you sent the cost sheet to the client instead of the actual quote. If I hadn't stepped in, you would've been forced to compensate millions in damages."

My voice turned icy as I faced the other man who had spoken.

"You as well. When you were unable to feed yourself because you had no commissions, I was the one who gave you part of my dividends. Did you all forget that?"

Mary clenched her fists and cut me off. "What's the use of bringing up small favors? Why didn't you mention just how much you've earned all this time?

"It's a senior's duty to help the newcomers. Now that you've been fired, are you going to hold that over everyone's heads?"

Those who had been hanging their heads low from the admonishment heaved sighs of relief. They immediately began praising Mary's generosity while accusing me of being petty.

Overwhelmed with fury at the absurdity, I abandoned the argument and headed to my old desk.

The moment I opened the door, what I saw made my face go pale in anger. My entire body began trembling.

My personal belongings were scattered across the floor, and all my devices had been powered on.

My documents and chat logs had been rifled through. My locked drawers were pried open—empty. Everything inside was gone.

Even the family photo I placed on the table was shattered, covered by a puddle of rotting pasta.

My eyes were bloodshot as I screamed, "Who did this? Step forward right now!"

The entire office instantly fell silent. One could hear a pin drop.

…

Just as I was about to fly off the handle, Mary gracefully walked over. "Don't be so agitated. I did it."

She blinked innocently.

"The boss said that we're short on desks. Since you're no longer working with us and won't be coming back, the desk would naturally go to someone else."

She held up the Civil Service Exam handbook and looked at me with a mocking grin.

"Who knew a community college graduate and saleswoman would be so ambitious? Work in the private sector isn't enough anymore. Instead, you wish to work for the government too.

"Still, you had too many belongings. We didn't know which were actually yours, so we confiscated everything. You have no objections, right?"

Rory chimed in, eager to support her. "Searching just the office isn’t enough. What if she stole company property and still has it on her?

"We should strip and search her!"

The absurdity hit me like a slap.

I barked out, "This is nothing but revenge dressed up as justice!"

With a grin, Mary waved a hand, summoning several men over to surround me. "I'm only doing this for the company's sake. After all, who can guarantee that you're innocent?"

My entire body was shaking in fury, but Mary ignored my reaction.

With her hands planted on her hips, she continued to speak in a loud voice. "Ms. Lane, we were all colleagues. I don't want to strain our relationship.

"Will you be stripping, or do you need our help?"

My teeth dug into my lower lip in humiliation as rage burned through my veins. I wanted nothing more than to rip that smug expression off her face.

When I did not move, she locked the door with a raised eyebrow and held my laptop up high.

"You've worked here for years, so you must've made a lot of connections. Isn't that right?" she asked in a threatening tone. "You know better than I do the consequences if I delete everything on here right now. Strip. Think of it as a bonus for everyone, and I’ll let you walk away afterward."

Kai's Taunting

I took a deep breath and took photos of the situation before swiftly calling the police.

"Hi, I'd like to make a report. Someone has stolen two of my necklaces that cost me around a million."

Mary's face went pale. She instantly snatched my phone away while shouting as loud as she could. "No one stole anything! Stop trying to twist the facts!"

Once she said that, the door slowly swung open to reveal Kai, who'd arrive late as usual. The moment he saw me, his face contorted into a scowl.

"Eliza, how many times must I tell you? Your name was accidentally included in the Counseling-Out List. Still, if you're willing to start over from the very bottom with a reduced salary, I can give you another chance.

"You rejected me, and now you're causing a scene. Will you only be happy when everyone hates you?" he snapped out.

I forced myself to swallow back my rage and told him everything that happened.

With an impatient look on his face, he retorted, "It's just a search. What about it? You're way too fragile!"

As I was about to call the police once more due to the injustice of it all, he put on a fierce look and threatened me. "Eliza, that's enough! We've not offended you in any way. No one will win if you blow this up.

"I know plenty of people in the industry. I'm close with someone in every major company. Just one word from me, and your career is finished!"

Now that she had someone to back her up, Mary grew increasingly smug, shooting me a smile as though she had already won.

"Eliza, there's no need to put on a show. Without this company, you're nothing. Even a stray is worth more than you.

"You're only starting from the very bottom. Well, the janitor just resigned. We need someone to clean the toilets. Since you're so experienced, I'll make an exception and let you have the job.

"While it's a rather embarrassing job, it's still a job. It's better than a role you've gotten by sleeping around, right?"

Everyone in the office started to jeer in agreement.

Even Kai was grinning. "Just accept the offer, Eliza. Cleaning the toilets is a type of training."

Looking at their grotesque expressions, I suddenly burst into laughter. "You're right, Mr. Moran. Since I'm leaving, I don’t have to spare anyone’s dignity."

With a creepy smile on my face, I pointed at him and spoke in a slow and emphatic manner.

"We were short on funds back then. If we failed, the company would go under. You promised that if I could pull in the investors, you'd pay me a bonus of one million. However, because you made me the scapegoat of Mary's mistake, the bonus vanished."

Everyone was gaping in shock as I then turned to them with a bright grin.

"Misery loves company. Kai cheated me out of a million, but when it's your turn, how much would it be? Don't think you can escape his grasp. His lover is in this department. No matter how hard you work, can you outshine the one who sleeps next to him?"

…

Their faces turned ghostly pale. It was an absolutely satisfying sight.

Mary's face was flushed red. Even so, she pretended to be calm and composed. "Eliza, stop it with the slander. There's nothing between Mr. Moran and me," she said.

However, that retort felt weak and gave me room to shoot back with another question. "I didn't name anyone. Why are you so eager to answer?"

She was rendered speechless. The color on her face went pale before her expression became thunderous.

"Enough!" Kai shouted, slamming his hand on the desk.

"Mr. Warner is my cousin. We won the contract all because of me. You were only there by coincidence. What right do you have to claim credit?

"With your meagre skills, you should be paying the company to work here instead of asking for an annual bonus!"

I was torn between being mad and amused.

The client was a cousin so distant that he couldn't technically be called a relative. Did Kai really think his name was worth anything?

Mary was all fired up upon hearing Kai's comment.

"You're so amazing, Mr. Moran. I slapped Mr. Warner, and he was still so eager to work with us.

"We're no longer the average company. With a crucial piece of technology in our portfolio, we're winners now. We don't need the sales department!"

Dark spots began appearing in my vision. Mary's bold claim made my stomach ache once more.

"Cut the act," Mary commented with a disdainful scoff. "You're just a woman destined to serve others and play the second fiddle. It serves you right to drink yourself to death."