Chapter 2

After saying that, I threw the ruined watch into the trash can and turned to leave.

That night, Macy called me countless times, but I cut straight to the chase and broke up with her.

When all her sweet-talking failed to change my mind, she finally snapped and threw a bitter warning at me, telling me I'd live to regret this.

The next morning, I had barely sat down at my desk when a local trending video popped up as a notification on my phone.

On screen, Owen was smiling triumphantly at the camera. "Hey everyone! Today, a total corporate newbie like me just dealt a crushing blow to an entitled workplace slacker who tried to embezzle public funds!

"That old-timer thought he could take advantage of the fact that I'm the new accountant to pocket 3,000 dollars of company money. I shut him down immediately and gave him a piece of my mind.

"Hah! He actually tried to call the CEO to complain about me. Too bad for him, the CEO has my back, and he was absolutely livid. The CEO even called to praise me and promised me a bonus!"

The comment section had already blown up, surpassing 99 comments.

"Kudos! This is exactly how you handle these useless workplace veterans. Your company is lucky to have you!"

"He actually dared to embezzle three grand? If you hadn't stopped him, who knows how much he would have continued stealing? Love a happy ending! Justice served!"

Owen's twisted version of the truth brought in a wave of cheers.

Scrolling through the comments, I noticed a few familiar usernames liking the post.

I recognized them as the very same colleagues who had just dumped their contracts on my desk earlier, begging me to "work my magic".

I looked at the stack of paperwork piled high on my desk and swept it all to the side.

Perfect.

In the past, whenever my colleagues brought their contracts to me for help, I never turned them down. It seemed they had completely forgotten that I did it out of professional courtesy and not obligation.

I sneered to myself. Since they all wanted to call me a useless workplace slacker, fine.

From now on, I would follow my employment contract to the letter. I wouldn't be doing a single second of overtime.

As for business trips, someone else could have the travel pay!

I cleared my head. The exact minute the clock struck closing time, I packed up to leave.

Before I could even make it to the door, a chorus of voices called out to stop me.

"Toby, did you finish reviewing those contracts? Why haven't you brought them over to me yet?"

"Yeah, what about my file? I need it urgently!"

Owen marched over, barking at me instantly, "So many of your colleagues are still here working overtime, waiting on you to look over their documents, and you're trying to slack off and sneak out early? If you don't want to do the job, pack your bags and quit!"

Quitting was out of the question. When I first joined this company, it was on the brink of bankruptcy, and it was my hard work that brought it back to life.

In return, the executives had awarded me a 5% restricted stock option on a three-year vesting schedule. As long as I stayed with the company for the full three years, I could cash them out.

There were only two weeks left until that three-year mark. There was no way I was walking away now. Furthermore, as long as I followed company policy, nobody could fire me without cause.

The market value of those shares sat at roughly 30 million dollars. I was getting my money before I left.

I turned back, pointed at the clock on the wall, and raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Slacking off? Not at all. I am leaving exactly when the company handbook says my shift ends."

Owen's face turned livid with rage. "With that kind of attitude, aren't you afraid I'll report you to Ms. Sanford?"

I had absolutely nothing to fear. I was doing everything by the book, anyway.

"Be my guest."