After I was Laid Off, I Acquired the Company

I had just left the venue when my phone rang. "Brandon, come back, the tech department is a total mess."

I jumped in a cab and raced back to the office.

Most of the tech team were my hires, and I'd trained a lot of them myself. Usually, I let them do their thing, and even though they had lots of work, the vibe was always good.

But today, as soon as I walked in, I could feel the gloom.

When they saw me, they crowded around. "Brandon, Hunter is having one-on-ones and has already fired a bunch of us."

I marched to the conference room, opened the door, and saw my trainee, Robert, shouting at Hunter.

I walked over, tapped Robert on the shoulder, and suggested he step outside.

Robert was fuming. "They're really pushing us around!"

Hunter, kept on Ivy's recommendation, immediately pushed a box toward me when he saw me.

"Mr. Foster... Wait, I can't call you that anymore. You have no ties to the company now.

This box has all your personal stuff. You've been fired, and it's time for you to leave," Hunter said.

I looked into the box and back at Hunter. "Who said you could fire me?"

Hunter stood up, smirked, and threw a contract on the table. "Look, Brandon, isn't that your personal seal right there?"

I checked the contract. My seal was stamped glaringly on the signature page.

"You forged a contract?" I accused.

Hunter was indifferent. "Brandon, talk is cheap without proof. You can't argue with that seal and signature."

I thought, "He really knows how to play dirty."

"Plus," Hunter said, looking outside, "The tech department's salaries are way too high. The company can't afford it anymore. It's either cut pay or cut people. The younger ones can't handle it and have left. Not one sticks with the company.

Brandon, like you, your team is a sham. You're all fluff, no substance.

I could replace them with cheaper, more efficient interns in no time."

Clenching the fake contract, I glared at Hunter and said, "Fine, if you think so little of the tech team, I'll take them with me.

Make sure you compensate us as the law requires."

Hunter turned with a sneer, "You're all just grunts. Hoping for compensation? You'd be lucky to get a month's pay."

Seeing their true colors, I turned and walked away. "See you in court then."

Hunter yelled after me, "Brandon, I can make sure you never work in the game industry again starting tomorrow!"

Hunter seemed sure of himself. Without looking back, I said, "Go ahead and try."

As I walked out of the conference room, everyone looked at me as if I was their lifeline.

Robert stood up first, bold and determined. "Brandon, I'm with you!"

The rest agreed, "Yeah! We're with you, wherever you go."

After six years with Matthew, this betrayal was a low blow.

At a moment like this, only true friends stood by me.