Chapter 3Ten Years Invisible: My Last Day Revenge

In early December, a company-wide email went out.

"Notification of Organizational Restructuring."

It was a pretty way of saying "layoffs."

The IT department was first on the chopping block.

My manager, Mr. Miller, gathered us in a conference room.

"The company's profits have been down the last couple of years, so we have to trim the fat. The IT department needs to let two people go."

Everyone exchanged nervous glances.

I already knew.

Sure enough, his eyes landed on me.

"Lynn, you're a veteran employee, so I'll be direct. The company feels… your position can be optimized."

"What does that mean?"

"It means…" He cleared his throat. "Amber has been performing very well since she arrived. She can handle most of the workload now. As for you…"

He trailed off, but the message was crystal clear.

If the new girl can do the job, we don't need the old-timer.

"Mr. Miller," I said, looking him straight in the eye, "these systems have run without a single major failure for ten years. Whose work is that a credit to?"

He smirked. "The system's stability is a credit to the leadership's direction. You're just maintenance. What credit is there to take?"

I was speechless.

Not because his words were so insulting.

But because I suddenly realized that after ten years, this was how they saw me.

"Just maintenance."

The one who does the work.

Expendable.

"Fine," I said, standing up. "I understand."

"So, you'll…"

"I'm going to talk to Mr. Evans right now."

"About what?"

"About my resignation."

Mr. Miller stared, stunned.

I didn't wait for him. I walked straight to Mr. Evans's office.

And that brings us back to the beginning.

"What was your name again? How long have you been here?"

Ten years.

And you're asking me how long I've been here.

When I walked out of his office, Amber was walking back with a cup of coffee.

"Lynn, what did you need to see Mr. Evans about?"

"I'm quitting."

Her eyes lit up for a split second before she masked it with concern.

"Oh, Lynn, don't be impulsive! It's tough to find a job out there."

I smiled faintly. "Thanks for your concern."

"But if you leave, what about all these systems?"

"You're the one who said they were poorly designed. Here's your chance to rebuild them."

Her face flushed.

"Lynn, I didn't mean it like that…"

"It's fine," I said. "I'll leave you all the documentation."

What I didn't say was:

The documentation doesn't have the passwords.