One Cup of Coffee, One Ruined Career

Listening to Kitty spout her high-minded speech, I nearly threw up on the spot.

Hardworking? Diligent? Always replying in seconds?

Back when I was training her on client accounts, she complained the clients were too much trouble and trashed them behind their backs.

To hit her numbers, she'd promise clients anything, and in the end I was always the one cleaning up her mess.

I couldn't stomach that fake, simpering face of hers, so I frowned and turned to stare at my own monitor.

While Kitty was busy ordering everyone their milk tea, I bundled every file I had on that big contract and sent the whole packet to her with a single click, then leaned back in my chair, thinking.

For years I'd run myself ragged day and night for those numbers. When I actually did the math, I'd racked up a full six months of unused leave.

After browsing a few tour packages, I went straight into the system and filed a leave request.

Just as I expected, the manager called me into his office right away.

"Shirley, is this you throwing a tantrum at me?"

I looked at him calmly. "Manager, I'm only taking the leave I'm entitled to. That's within procedure, isn't it?"

He let out a cold snort, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Shirley, don't think so highly of yourself."

"Walk out that door, and when you come back, your accounts will all be gone. Don't say I didn't warn you."

I tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Whatever."

Face like a storm cloud, he gritted his teeth and clicked approve in the system.

I packed my bags and flew out of town for a few days.

Once I'd had my fill of the trip, I met up with a few headhunters I knew well and locked down the new job and terms for good.

Only after all of that was settled did I finally have time to scroll through my work messages.

That was when I found that Kitty, whose calls I'd already blocked, had bombarded me with over a hundred messages on the app.

"Shirley, why didn't you note down that the client is allergic to caffeine? I bought Mr. Chavez a premium black coffee and he blew up right there. Did you do this to sabotage me on purpose?!"

"What does clause two of the contract actually mean? Say something!"

"Playing dead, huh? People like you deserve to get demoted!"

Reading those furious accusations, I gave a cold laugh and screenshotted every single one.

Monday, I came back to the office right on time.

My seat had barely warmed up when the HR manager walked over, her face cold.

"Shirley."

"Someone reported that you deliberately failed to respond to work messages during your leave, causing a major error in a company project. We're now issuing you a formal disciplinary notice."