“The company values dedication. People like Lester are the true role models.”
"He just can't keep up anymore. Getting replaced was inevitable."
"Giving the five million to Lester makes perfect sense—gotta encourage the young talents."
"Old folks should know when to step aside."
Their words dripped with sarcasm and petty satisfaction—twisting the truth, relishing my downfall.
They'd all conveniently forgotten the past nine years I spent pulling all-nighters, breaking through one technical barrier after another, building this department from scratch.
All they saw was my "leaving work on time" for the past month.
Especially Freddy—always calling me "brother," yet now, his voice was the loudest, spitting venom about how I was "unworthy" and "hogging the spotlight."
I finally couldn't take it anymore. I stopped, turned around, and walked straight to his desk.
He was mid-sentence, sneering.
My gaze fell on the mug on his table—printed with the words Company's Excellence Award.
A souvenir we'd all received last year, after I led the team to win a major contract.
I grabbed it.
Before he could react, I smashed it hard against the floor.
Crash!