After I Was Fired, the Company Went Out of Business

I brought in fifty million in profit for the company in one year, yet during the third week of my bosss business trip, I was fired on the spot by his mistress.

The reason was laughably simpleI showed up at ten.

She was sitting in my bosss chair, jabbing a finger at the attendance record.

This isnt your company. Do you think good numbers put you above the rules?

Youre just a commission-based salesman. What makes you so special?

I reminded her that my ten a.m. start was a privilege personally approved by the boss.

She just laughed and called him right in front of me.

When he said, Handle it however you see fit, I simply nodded.

Fine. Fire me.

A company run like this wont last long anyway.

The boss went away for a month and left his girlfriend in charge.

Who knew her first move as acting boss would be to come after me?

At 10 a.m., I walked into the office right on time.

A colleague looked nervous, gesturing toward the bosss door and whispering, Skylers in there. She wants to see you!

Skyler Prescott was the bosss latest girlfriendnotorious for her attitude and bullying.

Shed curse out anyone she didnt like.

Once, when a female colleague stayed a few minutes late in the bosss office to finish a report, Skyler spread rumors she was sleeping her way up.

She made that girls life so miserable she had to quit.

But because Skyler could turn on the sweet talk and flattery, the boss usually let her have her way.

I hadnt expected her to train her sights on me.

I set down my coffee and pushed the door open.

The moment I stepped in, a folder came flying at my face.

Do you have any idea what time it is? Company hours start at eight. Why are you strolling in at ten?

The sharp corner of the folder left a stinging cut on my forehead. I pressed a hand to it, staring at Skyler throwing her weight around behind the desk.

My ten a.m. start was a perk for being the top sales performer. Everyone knew thatit was an unwritten rule.

Years back, when the bosss company was about to go under, theyd taken a chance and hired me.

In my first month, I landed five million in sales and pulled the company back from the brink.

Ever since, the boss had treated me like his golden goose, listening to my input on every major decision.

She slammed a hand on the desk, her face twisted. Look at your punch card! Youve been rolling in at ten for a full month. Do the rules not apply to you?

Company policy says three consecutive late arrivals are grounds for termination!

You can get out. Now.

I looked at her, disbelief in my eyes. Youre firing me? Did you clear this with the boss?

I brought in eighty percent of this companys profit, and she dared to fire me?

Skyler snorted, giving me a look of pure contempt. Youre just a salesman. A glorified peddler. Whats so special about you?

This is my boyfriends company. Im his girlfriendI can fire anyone I want!

The boss had always been decent to me, so I wasnt about to storm out. I took a seat on the sofa. You should get the bosss opinion first.

Skyler rolled her eyes. Who do you think you are?

With that, she called the boss directly.

He sounded tired on the other end. What is it?

The shrill, yelling version of Skyler vanished instantly, her voice turning syrupy. Sweetie, I miss you.

The boss sighed. Just tell me what you want.

Skyler shot me a triumphant glance. Theres a salesman who doesnt follow rulesalways comes in late. I want to let him go.

Whatever. I need to rest.

The boss agreed casually and hung up.

Skyler looked at me, arrogance oozing from every pore. Hear that? I can fire whoever I want. Now get out!

I let out a cold laugh, keeping my eyes on her. Are you sure about this?

When the boss gets back and finds out you fired me, he might not be happy.

I was giving her a genuine warning.

Headhunters had been offering me bigger packages for years. Id stayed out of loyalty.

My leaving wouldnt hurt me one bit, but Skyler might not be so lucky.

She glared, her face contorted with spite. Who do you think you are? Youre just a salesman. Im his future wifethe lady of this company. You really think hed pick you over me?

Hearing that, I just shook my head.

Have it your way, then.

I turned and walked out. Outside, colleagues had overheard the argument and were shooting me uneasy looks.

Jaden, whats going on?

I started packing my desk, calm. Whats going on is Ive been fired.

My colleagues eyes went wide. Fired? Has Skyler lost it? Everyone knows youre the cash cow. Isnt she afraid the boss will dump her?

I shook my head with a dry chuckle. Not my problem anymore. She made the call; shell face the consequences.

Besides, Ive been grinding for years. Maybe a real break will be good.

Id saved enough to be financially free long ago, but I never took time offalways felt too guilty to ask.

This was the perfect excuse.

My colleague was furious. But why? Did you somehow cross her?

I thought for a moment. Probably because I stood up for Lena when Skyler was spreading those rumors about her, remember?

Ever since, shes had it out for me, picking at everything.

Yesterday, Skyler had posted a selfie in the company WhatsApp group. Everyone flooded the comments with compliments.

I was the only one who read it and didnt reply.

Guess that was the last straw.

Should I call the boss? Youre the backbone here. You cant just leave.

I shook my head, a faint smile on my lips. Let it go. If I ever come back, itll be after Skyler and the boss are done. I cant stand her antics anymore. Well see.

I finished packing and headed to accounting to collect my pay for the month.

Id only worked ten days, but with commission, it came to a hundred grand.

I informed the accountant about the termination and asked her to wire the money later.

Out of nowhere, Skyler appeared at the office entrance, glaring daggers. Jaden Carter, I told you to get out. What are you still doing here?

I met her gaze calmly. She was practically gloating, thinking shed landed the ultimate boyfriend. It was nauseating.

When I didnt respond, she got agitated. She marched over and grabbed my shirt. Are you deaf? What are you doing in accounting? These are sensitive company records. Get out now, or Im calling security!

I frowned and shook off her hand forcefully. Let go.

Now that Im fired, is there a problem with collecting what Im owed for this month? Im being generous not asking for severance.

Skyler turned her glare to the young accountant. How much is he owed?

The accountant answered plainly, One hundred thousand, five hundred.

Skylers face shifted. How much?

After hearing it again, she pointed at me. You violated policy by being late. Your pay for this month is forfeited.

I laughed coldly. Two hundred bucks per late arrivalis that your math? Did you even finish grade school?

To my surprise, Skyler looked at me as if she were righteous. Its a new rule I implemented. Three lates and you lose the whole months pay. Now get out!

What gives you the right to make rules?

Skyler crossed her arms, her mouth hanging open like a sharks, and said shamelessly, Ill own part of this company someday. Whats wrong with me making rules?

I couldnt be bothered to argue. Then expect a lawsuit from me.

With that, I walked out.

I drove home, had just put my things away when I saw a message from Skyler in the company Snapchat group I hadnt left yet.

From now on, everyone must reply to any message I post on Snapchat or WhatsApp. Anyone who doesnt will be fired, like that person today.

So she really fired me because I didnt join the praise parade.

The boss really hit the jackpot with this one.

Everyone started replying in the group. Annoyed, I left all the groups.

My phone suddenly got much quieter.

But since Skyler was withholding my final paycheck, I decided to teach her a lesson.

All the key clients were in my contacts. I sent a bulk message explaining Id resigned and would no longer be handling their business.

Most of these were clients Id brought in. They worked with the company because of me.

If I left, theyd likely follow.

Sure enough, within two minutes, former clients began messaging, asking which firm Id moved to and saying theyd transfer their contracts.

I explained I hadnt landed anywhere yet but would reach out as soon as I did.

The list was so long I kept replying until dark, finally collapsing into exhausted sleep.

The next morning, a colleague texted: Jaden, multiple partners are saying they want to terminate and wont renew. Was that you?

Seems the plan worked. I chuckled. I didnt do anything. Just stated the fact that Im gone.

Youre still the best. When Skyler came in this morning and heard, she blew up at several salespeople, demanding to know why they couldnt keep the clients. Now a few are planning to quitthey wont take this crap.

Looked like plenty in the company were fed up with Skyler. I wondered how shed handle the fallout.

On my end, I was about to contact a lawyer to file a major lawsuit for my back pay.

I didnt need the money, but I wasnt about to let her off easy.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, Skyler called me.

Surprised, I answered cautiously. What is it?

The moment I picked up, a stream of abuse poured out.

Jaden Carter, are you even human? Where are all the companys client contacts? They said you have them. Hand over those numbers right now. Thats company property. Dont think I wont sue you!

I paused, then realized Skyler must be getting desperate.

How can you be so disgusting? Give me the contacts now! Or I swear Ill ruin you, you hear me?

I laughed coldly. Those clients came from my hustle. They only work with me. Why should I hand them over?

Skyler grew more unhinged. Did the company not pay you? This was your job. You think we fed you for free?

You ungrateful snake! My boyfriend paid you all these years, and now you steal all the clients? Youre a heartless animal!

I sneered. You want the contacts? Fine, Ill give them to you. Id love to see you try to win them back.

They were just phone numbers. I had absolute confidence.

I wanted to see Skyler squirm.

After hanging up, I sent the client list to a colleague, asking her to pass it to Skyler.

I didnt believe she could salvage many.

The next day, my colleague sent me a video.

It was a covert recording of Skyler. She was on the phone with a client. We couldnt hear the other side, but Skyler suddenly started shrieking.

Did that bastard Jaden tell you something? Youre in cahoots, arent you? How much did he pay you to say this?

If youre not buying, then get lost! See where else you can go!

Skyler hung up angrily and hurled the phone down.

I dont believe this company cant survive without these clients. Everyone, go find new clients now!

Each of you bring me five new clients today!

If you cant, you can all get out!

The office immediately erupted in complaints. The company sold heavy machinery. Landing one client in half a month was toughfive in a day was impossible.

Sure enough, Skyler glared, her face twisted with rage. What? Are you all rebelling?

One of the older salesmen, Bryce, stood up. Why dont we wait for the boss to return? You dont understand the business. What if things go wrong?

To everyones shock, Skyler crossed her arms and looked at him with disdain. If youre not capable, youre not capable. The company doesnt keep dead weight. If you cant do it, get out!

The man shed insulted was usually gentle. Humiliated like this, his face flushed red.

He threw his badge down. I cant do it. Let whoever can, do it.

As one walked out, others followed, removing their badges. We cant either!

Skyler looked ready to explode.

Fine. Fine. You want to rebel? I dont believe this company cant run without you people. Now get out! Get out!

At her shrill shout, the sales team gradually filed out.

Skyler glared after them, cursing. I dont believe we cant operate without you useless lot. You think youre so special!

The video ended there. My colleague texted gleefully, The boss will return to a disaster. The companys going under.

I couldnt help but laugh. Skyler was really on a path of self-destruction.

Shed actually driven away an entire experienced sales team. What would the boss do when he returned?

Too bad I couldnt see it in person. Must be quite a show.

That afternoon, I got a message from our former boss. He asked, What souvenirs does everyone want? Ill bring something back.

Skyler had kept my resignation a secret, so he didnt know.

I sighed lightly and replied, Weve all resigned. You should ask your girlfriend for details.

The boss immediately video-called, but I didnt answer.

There was no point. Id started this studio with the team. Wed all tasted success. No one would want to go back to being salespeople under that roof.

And I wouldnt abandon them. At this point, there was no room for negotiation.

The next morning, the boss flew back and stormed into the company.

Someone in our group reported the scene, telling us all to come down and watch the drama.

After some thought, I decided to go.

There were things that needed to be said.

I saw Skyler, who clearly hadnt expected his early return, panicking and explaining.

Sweetie, those people were completely out of line. I thought itd be better to get you a more obedient team. Anyone can do that job, after all.

I sneered. Even now, Skyler was trying to shift blame. She was truly beyond help.

The boss finally lost his patience. He stepped forward and slapped Skyler across the face, roaring, Who gave you permission to act on your own?

Skyler held her cheek, stunned.

I just

Who are you to me? Who gave you that authority? You were still lying to me yesterday, saying everything at the company was fine!

The companys sales this month are zero. You call that fine?

Now get out! Get out!

The relatives Skyler had brought in had already scattered when things went south.

Seeing the bosss state, I figured today wasnt the day for discussion. Id come back another time.

That evening, as I got home, someone knocked on my door.

I opened it to find Skyler standing there, eyes red.

Seeing me, she seemed about to kneel.

I startled, stepping aside. What are you doing? Kneeling to me will shorten my lifespan!

But Skyler pleaded, Please please bring everyone back. My boyfriend said unless you return, hell break up with me and throw me out!

Tears streaked her face. I was wrong. I was too young beforeI didnt realize how important you all were. Please forgive my ignorance. I was wrong.

I frowned at her. Now you realize? Where was this awareness before?

All these people have families to support. You fired them without a second thought. Did you ever consider what would happen to them?

Skyler was speechless.

Of course she hadnt considered it. In her world, only she existed.

Youre not sorry. Youre just scared. Scared that without him, youll never find another rich guy.

With her true motives exposed, a flash of venom crossed Skylers face.

She stood up, staring at me intently.

So what? Ill tell you the truthIm pregnant with his child. No matter what, hell have to marry me.

I glanced at her flat stomach and shrugged. Whats that to me? Get out of my home, or Im calling the police.