Chapter 1Bonus Boxed in Shame

The day annual bonuses landed, mine came in a box of condoms.

“Sales is just the company’s red-light district. All those numbers? From boozing and sleeping around.”

I looked up at the secretary, her face stretched into a lewd grin.

“Having a blast and making bank? I wouldn’t mind that gig.”

A few crude chuckles echoed through the conference room.

I snapped my laptop shut, pushing back from the table.

Leaning by the window, I opened my messenger. A message from the VP of our rival company, three days old, still sat there.

“Ms. Graham, thought about it? Bring your clients over, and the VP spot is yours.”

…

More lewd laughter drifted from the conference room behind me.

Then came Mr. Henderson’s reedy, squawking voice: “Walk out that door, and don’t you dare regret it!”

I didn’t look back, striding purposefully towards the open-plan office.

Linda, her ten-centimeter heels clicking, chased after me.

She deliberately raised her voice in the hallway: “Oh, come on, Ms. Graham, stop pretending you’re so high and mighty.”

“Without this company, you’re nothing. And don’t forget to pick up that box of condoms from accounting. Mr. Henderson’s little severance gift.”

Colleagues glanced over, whispering.

I stopped, sweeping a cold gaze over her.

Linda hugged her arms, a triumphant, sneering smile plastered across her face.

Instead of getting mad, I smirked, turning towards my workstation.

Last month’s sales reports still sat piled on my desk.

That was the result of three consecutive all-nighters, my team and I burning the midnight oil.

Just ten minutes ago, Mr. Henderson had, with a casual flick of his wrist, erased it all.

I looked at the familiar faces beyond my cubicle.

Josh kept his head down, pretending to type, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Ms. Lee, eyes red-rimmed, shot me a look of suppressed fury.

In that moment, my last shred of hesitation vanished.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out. The screen showed a message from Mr. Chen, the VP of Genesis Tech, our competitor.

“Ms. Graham, what’s your decision?”

My fingers flew across the screen.

“I’m bringing the project. I want the Sales Director position.”

He replied almost instantly.

“Deal. Contract’s ready, car’s downstairs.”

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and started packing.

I didn’t bother with the box full of random junk.

I just unplugged my encrypted USB drive.

Then, I opened my laptop, my fingers dancing across the keyboard.

After copying the core client data, I deleted the files directly.

Leaving behind only a heap of worthless surface-level data in the company system.

Once that was done, I shut down the computer, feeling utterly refreshed.

Mr. Henderson burst out of his office, I hadn't even noticed him.

He stared at my empty desk, the jowls on his face quivering.

“Iris Graham, if you walk out that door, I’ll make sure no one in this industry ever hires you!”

He pointed a finger at my nose, roaring, “Everyone knows your dirty little secrets! Don’t think changing places will magically clean up your act!”

Here we go again with the sleazy rumors.

It was his usual tactic, trying to corner me with that kind of low-down garbage.

I cut him off impatiently: “Mr. Henderson, save it.”

I casually unclipped my ID badge from my neck.

In front of everyone, I tore the badge cleanly in half.

With a flick of my wrist, the pieces landed precisely in the nearby trash bin.

“Keep your threats and your condoms for yourself. Be careful not to screw yourself over.”

The entire floor fell silent.

Mr. Henderson’s face turned scarlet with rage, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.

I picked up my bag and walked out without a backward glance.

Stepping out of the company building, the late autumn chill wind hit my face, yet it felt exhilarating.

A black Maybach was parked by the curb.

Mr. Chen, the VP himself, got out and opened the car door for me.

“Ms. Graham, welcome to Genesis.”

No talk of probation periods, just the core employment contract.

I signed my name, watching the passing scenery outside the window.

I pulled out my phone and posted on social media.

The accompanying photo was my brand-new Genesis Tech ID badge.

The caption was just a simple line.

“New beginnings. Making money with my brains, not my looks.”

A few minutes later, my phone vibrated furiously.