After His Betrayal, I Inherited The Empire

Malia Martin had just returned from her annual leave when she found a dismissal email from the HR Director waiting for her at the office. She approached Kellen Rodriguez, the HR Director, for confirmation. “My employee ID is 003. Are you sure I'm being let go?” she asked.

Kellen wore a forced smile. “The company’s performance this year hasn't met expectations. You, as the project lead, took a week off to holiday in Greece. How's that fair to all the staff working overtime? How does that justify the company’s investment in you?”

Malia replied with a dry laugh, “Seventy percent of the company’s success is due to my efforts. You're trying to cut off the main artery here!”

Kellen smirked. “Malia, the company can run without anyone. You're overestimating your importance!”

With a casual wave, Malia walked away. He didn't understand that without her leveraging her family resources to fill in the gaps, this shaky start-up wouldn’t have survived long.

Malia's trip to Greece was personally approved by Yahya Watson. Yahya recognized the tough three years she'd put in and had given her a week off to unwind. "I'll cover your travel costs and accommodation. Plus, here’s $2,500 for shopping—buy whatever you like!" At the time, Malia felt appreciated, believing she had judged his character correctly.

Returning from vacation, she was blindsided—the employee with ID 003 was laid off. Kellen's tone softened slightly. “Malia, we're all professionals here. You understand what's happening.”

Malia grasped the underlying message. Yahya must have agreed to this, or Kellen wouldn't dare proceed. Swallowing her dissatisfaction, she inquired, “What about my year-end performance bonus?”

Kellen glanced down slightly and said, “Malia, you’re putting me in a tough spot. The company’s achievements are a team effort. You were just the face of the project. You’ve been earning the highest salary, with most bonuses, driving an SUV, and wearing designer clothes. Your colleagues have long had grievances. If we hadn’t been managing their discontent, you’d have been sidelined a long time ago. It’s unreasonable for you to take all the major benefits while others barely make ends meet.”

Listening to Kellen, Malia felt a mix of amusement and anger. The company had grown from a small operation with just a few people to over two hundred employees. At least 60-70% of the projects over the past three years were initiated and completed by her independently. Now that the business was stable, were Yahya and his team looking to cast her aside now that they had reaped the benefits?

“If I leave, who’s going to handle the SONDER project for Blue Mar?” she asked.

Kellen chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

“As for the severance package,” he added, “the company will ensure you receive everything you’re owed.”

Malia smiled, “Oh, should I be thanking the company for its great generosity?”

“I’m not accepting this dismissal,” she gestured toward Kellen, “but you’re out!”