Chapter 5: Shattered Loyalties

Ignoring the pain in my cheek, I explained, “Ms. Chen, this was Caleb’s responsibility.”

I stood tall, refusing to let her see me flinch. I spoke as calmly as I could, but my hands shook.

Rachel snorted, “Didn’t I tell you to mentor him? How did you mentor him? When something goes wrong, you try to shove the blame onto someone else. Are you stupid? Does the company pay you to be an idiot?”

She was in full lecture mode, voice rising with every word. I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to shout back.

My vision blurred for a second. I took a deep breath, trying to keep it together. The walls felt like they were closing in.

Caleb chimed in, “Ms. Chen, he arranged everything.” He shot me a sly look, already mastering the art of office politics. I saw right through him, but she didn’t.

As he spoke, he shot me a malicious look. I memorized that look, vowing to remember it the day his luck ran out.

Rachel glared at me: “Do you have any sense of responsibility at all? Something goes wrong and you dump it on an intern? Forget your paycheck this month. Caleb has a higher degree and better performance—he’s promoted to marketing manager.”

She barely paused, doling out punishment and reward with the same indifferent tone. I felt the world tilt beneath my feet.

Caleb quickly nodded: “Thank you, Ms. Chen. I’ll work even harder.” He was all smiles now, the perfect suck-up. I wanted to wipe that smirk right off his face.

Rachel nodded, satisfied: “That’s what a real employee looks like. Some of you old-timers need to know your place. If you keep slacking off, I’ll throw you out on the spot.”

She pointedly looked at me, making sure the message was clear. I clenched my fists at my sides, willing myself not to explode.

I met her gaze, refusing to back down. She looked away first.

A few days later, Caleb tossed the Harborview Group project contract at me: “Go coordinate with Harborview Group. If you screw up, don’t bother coming to work again.”

He dropped the folder onto my desk without even stopping. His tone was all business, but the threat was obvious. The rest of the office pretended not to watch, but I saw their eyes on me.

I sneered: “Manager Grant, this is your project. Now you’re dumping it on me—why?”

I kept my voice low, but I could hear the anger in it. I wasn’t going to play scapegoat anymore.

Caleb clearly didn’t expect me to push back. He froze, his face turning ugly. He sputtered for a moment, scrambling for a comeback. His confidence faltered, just for a second.

He stared at me, voice sharp: “I’m your boss now. When I tell you to do something, you do it. Do you still want this job?”

He leaned in, eyes narrowed, trying to reassert control. I stared right back, unflinching.

Rachel appeared behind me, just as impatient: “If I tell you to do it, you do it. Do I have to spell everything out? In this company, Caleb speaks for me. Are you trying to get yourself fired?”

She crossed her arms, daring me to defy her. I took a slow breath, feeling the room spin.

Hearing this, I nearly laughed out of sheer rage. I sneered, “Ms. Chen, how can you give such an important task to someone like me? I’m afraid I’m not up to it—I might screw it up.”

My voice dripped with sarcasm. I almost hoped she’d fire me—anything to get out from under her thumb.

Rachel hadn’t expected me to say that, and her face twisted in anger: “You’re here to work, not to nitpick. If you won’t do it, get out right now.”

She pointed at the door, her face flushed with rage. I wondered if she realized how ridiculous she sounded.

When I didn’t answer, Rachel got anxious and changed her tone: “Derek, you’re a veteran here. Don’t you know how hard I’ve worked?”

Her voice softened, just a bit. She tried to guilt-trip me, but I was past caring. Funny, she only remembered my loyalty when her back was against the wall.

“If we can’t sign this contract, do you know how much the company will lose? You’ve been here for years—can’t you think of me for once?”

Her words sounded desperate now. I looked at her, seeing for the first time just how much of her power was smoke and mirrors.

I knew if I didn’t agree this time, the company’s cash flow would snap. I sighed, shoulders slumping. I told myself it was just one more project, one more time. I’d get it done—then I was out for good.

After negotiating with Director Lewis from Harborview Group, he was very satisfied and verbally agreed to work with us on this project. It was a grueling afternoon—three hours of small talk, two cups of burnt office coffee, and endless rounds of back-and-forth. But in the end, Lewis shook my hand, smiling wide. “We’ll get the signatures to you tomorrow, Derek. You did good.” For a moment, I felt like maybe it was all worth it.

Unexpectedly, Rachel was still unhappy: “Do you even know how to negotiate? Director Lewis agreed just now. Why didn’t you get the contract signed on the spot? Are you stupid?”

She barreled into my cubicle, voice raised so loud the whole office could hear. Heads popped up over dividers, eager for another show.

I patiently explained: “Ms. Chen, you said major company decisions need your approval. Now the plan’s settled, and Director Lewis clearly said he’s willing to sign. I doubt he’ll go back on his word.”

I kept my tone measured, even though my heart was pounding. I met her gaze, refusing to back down. I’d played by her rules; now I expected her to keep her word.

Before I finished, Caleb piped up at Rachel’s side: “Yeah, Ms. Chen, there’s no problem with the Harborview Group contract. If it’s not working, let me do it. I think Derek is just trying to embarrass you.”

He sidled up next to her, eager to pile on. His voice oozed fake concern. I shot him a look that could curdle milk.

Hearing this, Rachel glared at me: “Derek, can’t you just do your job? Always playing tricks in front of me. I really look down on you.”

She shook her head, lips curled in disgust. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears, the anger rising fast.

After that, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I stared at the wall, mouth open, searching for words that wouldn’t come. It was all so absurd—I almost burst out laughing, just to keep from losing it.

All my work, dismissed in one sentence as playing games. I felt years of loyalty and sacrifice crumble. I wondered why I’d ever thought she’d see me differently.

I couldn’t take it anymore and quietly reminded her, “Ms. Chen, don’t forget, you asked me to talk to Director Lewis.”

My voice shook, but I forced myself to say it. I wasn’t going to let her rewrite history.

Hearing this, Rachel jabbed her finger at my nose and cursed: “Derek, do you really think you’re something? You’ve been here for years—don’t I know you? Once you’re gone, you’re nothing.”

She jabbed so hard I had to step back. Her words landed like fists. The whole office fell silent, everyone pretending to work but not missing a word.

I forced out a few words: “That’s not true.”

My voice was quiet, but steady. I meant every syllable. I refused to let her define me anymore.

Rachel curled her lips, looking disgusted: “You’ve been in my company for so many years. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Let me tell you, even if every man on earth died, I wouldn’t be interested in a loser like you.”

Her words stung more than I cared to admit. For a split second, I flashed back to the night she’d brought me soup when I was sick—her hand on my forehead, her voice unexpectedly soft. The memory cut deeper than her insult. The room seemed to tilt, my breath catching in my chest.

My eyes grew wet: “Is everything you say true?”

I blinked fast, refusing to let the tears fall. I met her gaze head-on, demanding an answer.

Rachel sneered, “What do you mean, is it true? Don’t you know yourself? A guy like you, and you think I’d ever like you? Still dreaming?”

She laughed, sharp and cruel. It echoed in the glass walls, bouncing back at me a thousand times over.

I stared at her in silence. In that moment, all the feelings I’d buried in my heart finally shattered. I gave up. A weight lifted from my chest—painful, but somehow freeing. The dream was over. I could finally breathe.

“Are you done?” I looked up at her, my eyes moist. My voice was calm now, almost gentle. I had nothing left to lose.

“What? Judging by your face, you want to quit? Then quit! Don’t think the company can’t run without you. Once you leave, even if you crawl back on your knees, don’t expect me to take you back.” She pressed on relentlessly.

She stood with arms crossed, daring me to make a move. I met her gaze, unblinking.

I forced a cold laugh: “Fine. I quit.” The words felt good—better than I’d expected. I stood a little taller, my voice steady at last.

Rachel mocked me mercilessly: “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Once you leave, don’t expect to come back. Think it over yourself.”

She tried to sound smug, but I saw the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. For the first time, I realized she needed me more than I needed her.

At that moment, Caleb leaned in and whispered in her ear: “Ms. Chen, I bet he’s just sure you’ll go soft and won’t let him leave. Guys like him could never really walk away from this company.”

He glanced at me, a smug grin on his face. I shot him a look of pure contempt. For the first time in a long time, I felt in control. As I walked out, their laughter faded behind me—but for the first time, I didn’t care. I was finally free. Or so I thought.