The High Price of Loyalty

Jeffrey acted like he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. Then, he pulled a marriage certificate from his briefcase, contemptuously hurling it at my face.

"Take a good look! Now, who's the real homewrecker here?!"

I picked up the document from the floor and opened it. Sure enough, it was their marriage certificate.

My mind went blank.

Melanie spoke with smug satisfaction. "That's right. The marriage certificate I had with you was fake. I only did it to keep you loyal and hardworking, so you'd earn more money for me. Now that the company's on track, and I've got Jeffrey to back me up, you're useless."

Her tone even carried a hint of relief as she continued, "Everything I own has nothing to do with you. You can get out now."

I wanted nothing more than to tear this shameless pair apart. Nonetheless, I forced down my rage and looked at Melanie.

I spoke slowly, deliberately, "Fine, the marriage was fake. But my shares in the company are real, aren't they? I'm also a shareholder in this company. If you want me gone, then cash out my shares and give me what I'm owed."

Considering my percentage of ownership, if I were to leave, Melanie's company would take a significant hit.

However, Melanie raised an eyebrow and laughed mockingly. "Shares? Who said you have any shares? Kieran, are you dumb? Those documents were all fake! I tricked you into signing them just to mess with you."

Then, she pulled out a set of keys and tossed them onto the floor. "But since you've worked like a mule for me all these years, I'll be generous. That old, crappy house we ‘bought' when we faked the marriage? Take it as your severance package. Now get lost."

I nodded slowly. "Fine. Just great."

I turned, ready to walk away from this place that made me sick to my stomach.

"Wait!" Melanie suddenly called out to me.

She added, "Hand over that multi-million dollar deal you're currently negotiating to Jeffrey. And leave all the client files you have as well. Otherwise, I'll sue you for stealing company trade secrets and have you thrown in prison!"

I had no desire to get tangled up with them any longer.

I pulled a flash drive from my briefcase and tossed it over my shoulder without looking back. Jeffrey and the sales team erupted in thunderous cheers, as if my departure would instantly shower them with riches.

They had no idea that without my personal involvement, those clients would never do business with the company.

I watched the celebrating crowd and took one last look at Melanie. "I hope your company goes bankrupt real soon, Melanie."

Then, I turned to Jeffrey. "A talentless fraud like you calling yourself a sales director? Just wait. You'll run this company straight into the ground."

Jeffrey quickly put on a self-righteous expression and wrapped an arm around Melanie's shoulders. He said with false sympathy, "Don't be mad, Melanie. He's just upset about getting fired and talking nonsense."

Melanie looked at me with pure arrogance and hissed, "Kieran, you're just jealous! Jeffrey is a hundred times more capable than you! Everyone here will see soon enough what a real top closer looks like!"

I laughed.

That was fine by me. I wanted to see how this useless parasite she had hired at top dollar would ever become the future sales champion.