The Company Demanded Everything From Me, So I Let It Burn Chapter 02

The Company Demanded Everything From Me, So I Let It Burn Chapter 02

I picked up the broken watch, tossed it into the trash, and walked away.

That night, Vanessa called again and again. When I finally answered, I told her plainly that our engagement was over.

She tried every argument she could think of. When nothing changed my mind, she snapped and told me I’d better not regret it.

The next morning, I’d barely settled into my chair when my phone lit up.

A TikTok posted from somewhere nearby had landed in my feed.

Evan grinned into the camera, clearly enjoying himself.

“Okay, story time. I’m the new guy at work, and today I had to call out one of those entitled veterans who thought he could pocket company money.”

“This greasy old-timer figured he could push me around because I’m new in accounting. He tried to keep $500 that belonged to the company, so I shut that down real fast.”

“Then he actually called the CEO to complain about me. Too bad she backed me. He was so mad. She even told me I did the right thing and said my bonus is going up.”

The comment count hit 99+ almost immediately.

“Good for you. People like that make workplaces miserable. Your company is lucky someone finally called him out.”

“He was that bold over $500? Imagine what he’s gotten away with before. That ending was so satisfying.”

Evan’s version of events was complete fiction, but the comments ate it up.

I even recognized several usernames in the comments.

A few belonged to coworkers who had dropped contracts on my desk that very morning and asked me to “work my magic” on them.

I looked at the stack of contracts covering my desk and shoved the whole pile aside.

Fine.

Whenever coworkers brought me contracts, I’d always taken a look without making a fuss. Apparently, they’d forgotten I was doing them a favor. It had never been part of my job.

A humorless laugh escaped me.

They wanted to paint me as some entitled old-timer? Fine. From now on, I’d follow my employment agreement to the letter. Not one unpaid minute more.

And anyone who thought those business trips were such a great deal could take them themselves.

I put the whole mess out of my mind. The second my workday ended, I stood up to leave.

I hadn’t even reached the door before several coworkers started calling after me.

“Ethan, are you done with those contracts? Why didn’t you bring mine back?”

“Yeah, where’s mine? I need it right now.”

Evan marched over and started in on me.

“Everyone else is staying late, waiting on you to finish those files, and you’re just sneaking out?”

“If you don’t want to work here, then quit and get the hell out!”

I wasn’t quitting. Not yet. Three years earlier, Vantage had been on the verge of collapse, and I’d helped pull it back from the brink.

The board had rewarded me with a five-percent restricted equity grant that vested after three years. Complete three full years with the company, and the stake became mine.

I had two weeks left. There was no chance I was walking away now. And as long as I followed policy, they had no legitimate reason to fire me for cause either.

That five-percent stake was worth close to $4 million. I was collecting what I’d earned before I left.

I turned, pointed at the clock on the wall, and raised an eyebrow.

“Sneaking out? I don’t think so. I’m leaving exactly when my workday ends, just like you told me to.”

Evan’s face went red.

“With an attitude like that, you’re not worried I’ll tell Ms. Grant?”

Why would I be? I was following every rule they’d demanded.

“Go ahead.”