The Company Demanded Everything From Me, So I Let It Burn Chapter 06

The Company Demanded Everything From Me, So I Let It Burn Chapter 06

The room erupted.

Heads turned. Whispers broke out all around us.

Vanessa grabbed my arm and tried to yank me back into my seat, her words coming through

clenched teeth.

“Are you insane?! Do you hear what you’re saying? Look around, Ethan. Do you understand where

we are?”

I didn’t so much as blink. I knocked her hand away.

“I know exactly what I’m saying.”

“You’re the one who needs to listen. I said I don’t work for Vantage anymore. That means I’m free to

leave.”

“You!” Vanessa flushed with anger.

“When did you quit? And who said you could?!”

I looked toward Evan.

Evan jumped in before she could say more.

“Ethan, this is your big revenge plan? If you’re going to throw a tantrum, at least learn to pick your moment. This isn’t the place for one of your stunts.”

Something seemed to click for Vanessa. She let out a contemptuous laugh.

“Ethan, is this really about proving how important you are? This is pathetic.”

“I don’t have time for your games. Go submit the winning price and secure the Sterling contract. Do

that, and I may decide not to discipline you afterward.”

I frowned. Apparently, she wasn’t just refusing to see what was in front of her. She wasn’t listening

either.

The coworkers who had come with us chimed in.

“What is your problem? It’s the same as every other year. You walk up, put down a number, and

come back. How hard can that be?”

“Just go. Why are you wasting everybody’s time? You need attention that badly? Grow up.”

I drew a breath and looked at the group of idiots in front of me.

“You’re right. For me, it really is just a number. It takes almost no effort. But…”

I let my gaze travel around the room and smiled.

“Why should I do it?”

“B-but…” One coworker flushed, words catching in his throat.

“You’ve always done it… every year.”

So they knew. They’d simply gotten so used to my help that they’d started treating it as something

they were owed. Every year, employees practically fought for a spot on the team going to Sterling Group’s bid.

They knew the job was easy: show up, contribute nothing, take no risk, worry about nothing, then

head back to the office with bonuses, praise, and a better shot at promotion.

The people Vanessa had brought with her that day were all favorites of hers, employees she’d personally promoted and kept close.

“Exactly. I did it every year. Not this year. Before, I followed company policy and did the work assigned to me during scheduled hours. Now I’ve left the company, so I don’t even owe you that much anymore, do I?”

No one had an answer. Their expressions stiffened.

The air in the room went dead.

The moderator kept asking for our final submission. Vanessa hurried over, argued our case, and after plenty of pleading managed to secure a ten-minute extension.

She came back looking furious.

“What do you want?”

I gave her the same answer I’d given from the start. My workday was over. I wanted to go home.

Vanessa stared at me for a long moment, then said something that left me genuinely confused.

“You win.”