Chapter 1The Golden Exit

I had just stepped onto the stage for the company’s holiday gala raffle when my boss, Gavin Chase, shoved a crumpled piece of paper into my hand.

"Top Salesman's exclusive prize! Go on, open it up and show everyone!" he sneered.

Under the expectant gaze of the entire company, I unfolded the paper. Scrawled in messy handwriting were the words:

Janitorial Duty: Clean all office restrooms for three days.

As the room erupted in laughter, Gavin crossed his arms, smirking at me.

"Generous, right? I mean, we all know your sales numbers come from sleeping with wealthy cougars. It’s dirty money. To keep things fair for the other hardworking employees, you shouldn't mind putting in a little extra elbow grease, right?"

The laughter turned into a roar.

Sarah Sterling, the CEO and my girlfriend of twelve years, stood right next to him. She watched the whole scene unfold. And just like always, she didn't say a single word to defend me.

Everyone expected me to snap. To scream. To break down.

Instead, I just nodded calmly.

"Okay."

The next day, the company received over 300 cancellation notices for pending real estate closings. The capital chain snapped instantly.

Gavin and Sarah begged me to call the buyers back.

I smiled and replied, "No thanks. If I save the company again, my performance will be too high. I wouldn't want to make the other employees feel 'unbalanced.'"

* * *

When I said I accepted the "reward," the venue went silent for a split second before the laughter redoubled.

Gavin laughed the hardest, leaning back, practically wiping tears from his eyes.

"See? That’s why he’s the Top Dog! Thickest skin in the game!"

I ignored his sarcasm and spoke into the microphone, my voice steady.

"I just want to clarify one thing. Since the company has assigned me this janitorial duty, this will be my only task for the next three days. I will not be responsible for any other work."

Gavin paused, looking confused. He hadn't expected a counter-condition.

It was the end of the fiscal year. All the sales targets had been met because of me, but the deals were still in escrow. We were waiting on the clients to finalize their bank transfers.

Me stepping away from sales right now was essentially handing him a loaded gun pointed at the company’s revenue.

But Gavin thought I was just losing my mind from anger. He didn't think twice.

"Fine! If you don't want to do sales, don't. It’s not like the Sales Department is a one-man show. Do you really think Sterling Estates stops spinning without you?"

He sneered. "Just focus on the toilets. If I see a single hair on the floor, you’re fired."

I didn't say another word. I turned and walked off the stage.

In the hallway, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my exclusive client group chat—a group known as "The Whales."

[Me: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am facing a position change. Please delay your bank transfers and closing procedures temporarily. Await my further notice.]

The moment I hit send, a text from Sarah popped up.

[Sarah: Come to my office. We need to talk.]

I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat and drove home.

We fell in love in college. After graduation, at Sarah's begging, I turned down a job offer with a starting salary of $200k to help her build her real estate brokerage from scratch.

She always said, "Once we hit $100 million in revenue, we'll get married properly."

I believed her. I gave everything to the company. In return, I got ignored and suppressed.

Gavin had only been at the company for three months. His sales numbers were a fraction of mine. But because Sarah was obsessed with his "Ivy League background" and "overseas experience," she bypassed me and made him the Sales Director.

And I, the top salesman for three years running, was rewarded with three days of cleaning toilets.

Back at the office the next morning, amidst looks of pity and mockery, I walked to the utility closet and put on a janitor's vest.

Just as I picked up a mop, a voice rang out behind me.

"Liam, stop!"