After Being Laid Off, I Bankrupted My Boss

I could pretty much guess why Billy was targeting me.

To be precise, it was Selina, Arthur's mistress, who was targeting me.

I was one of the first employees to join Arthur's company right after graduating from college. Because of my diligence, eagerness to learn, practicality, and outstanding performance, Arthur has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for me.

And some inappropriate thoughts.

But ever since Selina, a recent college graduate, became Arthur's secretary a while ago, she had been targeting me everywhere.

I didn't know the reason before, but one day, I saw her coming out of Arthur's office with messy hair and disheveled clothes, and I finally understood.

She had always seen me as a rival.

She thought Arthur's appreciation for me was because I was intentionally seducing him.

Maybe she even suspected that I was already Arthur's secret lover; otherwise, how could I get so many resources and sign so many orders?

So, to secure her position, she had to get rid of me.

I don't know what pillow talk she whispered to Arthur, but his attitude towards me started to change. He began to create obstacles for me at work.

It wasn't until Selina first planted her people under my wing and then brought Billy in as vice president that I finally understood.

Selina's ambition was far greater than I had imagined.

She didn't just want to get rid of me, her supposed rival.

She was after Arthur's entire fortune.

But he was deeply infatuated, and I had no reason to interfere in someone else's personal affairs.

Arthur had shown me appreciation and mentorship, and I was focused on my career and making money. I valued my reputation and never accepted bribes or abused my position for personal gain.

You could say I was occupying a lucrative position without taking advantage of it, blocking others from profiting.

So, under Selina's manipulation, Arthur used a business trip as an excuse to take her on a vacation, leaving Billy to fire me.

I didn't want to waste time arguing with them.

I had just secured a significant deal that morning worth over ten million dollars.

The commission on this deal was substantial.

Since I had been fired, I couldn't let those bloodsuckers benefit. I had to find a foolproof way to handle this order.

I turned to leave, but Billy roared from behind, "Ashley! You're no longer an employee of this company. You have no right to use the company computer."

He shouted into his phone, "Shut down Ashley's account immediately!

I simply took out my phone, pondering who I could partner with on this deal. I could negotiate for half the commission, minimizing my losses.

However, I found that in an instant, I was kicked out of all the company's relevant groups, and my system access was shut down.

If I didn't clock in for three consecutive days, I would be considered absent without leave, giving them a legitimate reason to fire me without any compensation.

Their tactics were indeed... disgusting.

However, Billy didn't understand the nature of our work. My position didn't require me to be in the office.

As long as I could provide proof of meeting with clients, it would count as fieldwork.

Annie was well aware of this, too.

She quickly pulled me back.

"Ashley, you're going to be working in this industry too. Why make things so unpleasant? You wouldn't want your new employer to hear anything wrong about you during a background check, would you"

I paused.

"Are you threatening me?"

Annie smiled. "What threat? Don't make it sound so unpleasant. If you don't agree, I'll have to write something unpleasant on your resignation letter. Don't make it difficult for me."

Although I believe I have a good reputation in the industry, I don't want any blemishes on my record.

Besides, as a woman approaching thirty with a heavy family burden, competing for a living in a male-dominated field was already more challenging than usual.

Having a tarnished resume would definitely be detrimental.

I had to admit that while the tactic was disgusting, it had effectively cornered me.

It seemed like Billy, who was still texting someone, had received some expert advice.

With a raised eyebrow, he regained his arrogance.

"Ashley, you've been with the company for a long time. Considering your years of service, I'll give you two months' severance.

"Also, the clients you've been working with were acquired under the company's name, so they are naturally company resources. You need to hand over all your client information.

"Everyone else gets one month, so you're getting preferential treatment. Don't be ungrateful. If you don't accept this, you won't get a penny after three days."

Seeing my frown, he became even more smug.

"I heard you have a cancer patient at home who needs a lot of money for treatment. If you don't accept, you're welcome to go through labor arbitration. Our company has plenty of money and can help you with this. The question is, can you afford to wait?"

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

Indeed, Arthur knew my situation.

My dad's cancer medication cost a fortune every month, and I worked so hard just to earn more money.

He was hiding behind the scenes, giving Billy advice, and using this to threaten me. I did not doubt that if this really went to labor arbitration, he would show no mercy and smear my name in the industry, making it impossible for me to find another job.

He knew I couldn't take that risk.

So, when he was drafting the layoff list, he was sure I wouldn't make a fuss, right?

I had to admit, this move of his was truly ruthless.

It hit me where it hurt.

After much deliberation, I ultimately accepted these humiliating terms.

Annie then presented the severance agreement for me to sign.

I read it through carefully and signed it.