: Leaving with Nothing

4

"You want me to leave with nothing? You can't possibly have forgotten how this company got so successful, can you?" I said through gritted teeth.

'If it weren't for me, Ryan Kendrick would never be where he is today.'

"You're not even married to my brother. You should be grateful you're getting any compensation at all," Maisie Kendrick sneered. "Besides, you've raked in plenty for yourself over the years."

I laughed, a smirk playing on my lips as I looked at her. "That's true. I slaved away for this company, so of course I'd make more than a useless freeloader like you."

My retort left Maisie Kendrick speechless. All she could do was glare at me hatefully.

Ryan Kendrick produced a contract from out of nowhere—a share transfer agreement.

I picked it up and glanced at it. 'He must take me for a fucking idiot. The transfer price was set at the original issue price. The stock has skyrocketed dozens of times over in the past few years. He's just trying to screw me over.'

"So, are you going to sign it or not?" A look of impatience and panic crossed Ryan Kendrick's face. He had drafted the contract, so of course he knew exactly what it entailed.

"I'll sign," I said with a contemptuous smile. "Such a generous severance package from President Kendrick. How could I possibly refuse?"

'It wasn't enough to just discard me; they had to grind me into the dust.'

My hand trembled as I picked up the pen and signed my name.

'Years of love and devotion, all the blood and sweat I'd poured into this... all gone in an instant.'

Ryan Kendrick snatched the document, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "For things to have come to this, you should really take a look at yourself. If you weren't so ruthless and cruel, I might actually feel guilty. From now on, let's go our separate ways. We should never see each other again."

"Just get out of here!" Maisie Kendrick shrieked at me. "My brother's been more than fair to you. Sylvie Sloan is just too soft-hearted. If it were up to me, I'd sue you for child abuse." The others didn't try to stop her; in fact, they seemed to think she had a point.

Mrs. Kendrick never looked up at me again. Before, she would always take my hand affectionately and tell me how lucky Ryan Kendrick was to have found such a capable girlfriend.

'So that's how it is. A person's heart can change in a single instant.'

'The people here, this place... there's nothing left for me anymore.'

'They say I'm ruthless and cruel?'

'Fine. I'll show them what ruthless really looks like.'

'Because I am a truly ruthless person!'