After Being Laid Off, I Bankrupted My Boss

The person Billy sent to take over my work was Anderson Barker, who had recently joined the company through connections.

The person who pulled those strings was, of course, the mistress Selina.

Apparently, Anderson was a college graduate from some prestigious university, and he was Selina's classmate.

Out of all the new hires in that batch, he was the worst. He was lazy, cunning, and a smooth talker.

When the internship ended, he was the first one I eliminated, but the higher-ups intervened and kept him on. He held a grudge against me ever since.

He often spread rumors in the company, saying that as a woman, the only way I could get so many orders was through dirty tricks.

He almost outright accused me of selling myself to secure deals.

I exported my client list and handed it to him, ready to give him a thorough handover.

Even though I was leaving the company, I still had a responsibility to my previous clients.

It was my professional ethics.

But Anderson was incredibly arrogant.

"Ashley, you don't need to teach me any of this. I graduated from a top university, you know."

I gave him a long and hard look.

Arthur really had a knack for picking out weirdos.

"Are you sure you don't need me to teach you?"

He scoffed, puffing himself up like a rooster about to fight.

I quickly had him sign the handover documents. If I delayed, I feared this fool might actually start thinking.

As soon as the paperwork was done, I went to my desk to pack up my belongings.

But my spot was already occupied by someone else's cup and other items.

My things were carelessly tossed on the floor. The commemorative photo I took with my colleagues when I signed my first deal had several footprints on it.

Anderson shrugged.

"Sorry, I thought it was trash, so I just threw it away."

My former colleagues all watched the scene with amusement, whispering to each other.

Being successful could make you a target. I always focused on working hard and rarely gossiped or slacked off with them. Whenever they didn't meet their targets, Arthur always told them to learn from me.

It definitely made me a bit unpopular.

Billy stood by with his arms crossed, enjoying the show.

I silently picked up the photo frame, wiped off the footprints, took out the picture, tore off my part, and shredded the rest. Then, along with the frame, I threw it all into the trash can.

"Indeed, it's trash, and it should be in the trash can."

My colleagues' faces turned sour, feeling the sting of my words.

I took out my phone and dialed my rival's number.

"Interested in a Golden Group order with a bid of ten million dollars?" I asked.

"What Golden Group?"

Upon hearing this, Billy stopped me.

I smiled at him, "What other Golden Group? I've pulled some strings and secured a deal for us, oh, wait, for your company to print the first edition of a supplementary educational resource.

"If the collaboration goes well, getting two textbooks wouldn't be difficult either.

"However, I've been laid off, so naturally, I have to find another capable company to print these materials."

Golden Group is the largest educational conglomerate, specializing in textbooks.

Not to mention textbooks, even the supplementary materials for a single subject would amount to a considerable sum.

The profits involved were far more significant than those our company... oh, wait, Hastings Group could make from running seven or eight, or even more, newspapers and magazines.

Not to mention, partnering with Golden Group would significantly increase the chances of securing textbook deals in the future.

Hastings Group could also transform from an unknown small company into a well-known major player.

Despite his recklessness, Billy understood the stakes.

He angrily pointed at my nose and cursed.

"Ashley! Why didn't you tell me you had connections with Golden Group just now? You're intentionally screwing me over!

"You're leaking company resources, betraying us! Believe me, I can make you rot in jail!"

"It seems Mr. Lewis has forgotten that I haven't signed a non-compete agreement, nor have I received any compensation for it. The deals I secured through my personal connections, I'm naturally free to take them wherever I please."

With that, I left with a flourish.

When one door closed, another opened.

"Hmph! Don't think you're the only one who can secure orders from Golden Group. I can sign with them even without you!"

I let out a sneer.

He thought my five years of hard work and experience in this industry were for nothing.

If he could secure the supplementary materials deal with Golden Group without me, I'd admit defeat.