Chapter 2

The line on the other end went quiet for a few seconds before Joe finally spoke, his voice sharp with impatience.

"Cassian, your commission is only 50 cents. How are you getting 200 grand out of that?"

"Mr. Watson, you can't do that! My mom needs that 200 grand to stay alive—"

Before I could finish, Sasha reached over and slapped the phone out of my hand. It hit the floor, and the screen shattered on impact.

She rolled her eyes and toyed with her bright red nails as she snapped, "I told you it was only 50 cents! What are you freaking out about, you broke loser? You're so annoying!

"It's not like your mom is going to make it anyway. Those 50 cents are already generous for all your years of work. And if you're really that desperate, I'll even toss in another dollar.

"You can buy her a roll or something, so she doesn't die on an empty stomach."

My voice came out hoarse and raw. "Sasha, I dare you to say that again."

She planted her hands on her hips and sneered. "I could say it a thousand times, and your mom still wouldn't make it. Do you really think being the top in sales means something?

"This company will keep running just fine without you!"

I lifted my head and said, "Every dollar you stole from me, I'm going to make you cough back up."

She froze for a second, then let out a harsh laugh. "You? Don't make me laugh."

I stared at her smug face, my chest so tight it felt like it might burst. The last five years flashed through my mind like some sick joke.

Year after year, I'd been the top salesperson. I stayed up late with students, dragging the company back from the edge of collapse.

And now, the money that was supposed to save Mom had shrunk to 50 cents and a single dollar tossed in my face like charity.

A company like this wasn't worth another second of my life.

Last week, Zane Rimmer, the CEO of our competitor, Pinnacle Tutoring, personally offered me a few million dollars a year, plus bonuses. I still turned him down.

I kept thinking about how Joe had taken a chance on me back then, and everything we'd built together.

Screw that. I'd just been way too loyal for my own good.

I spun around and walked out of the office.

"Mr. Rimmer, this is Cassian Golding. Does that offer from last time still stand—"

Before I could finish, Sasha came barreling out from the corner and cut me off. "Well, well, Cassian. No wonder you're so full of yourself! Looks like you already lined up a new sucker to take you in."

She turned and raised her voice so the whole office could hear. "You all hear that? Cassian's jumping ship! Talk about being ungrateful."

A few coworkers who had been buried in their work looked up, their faces draining of color.

"Cassian's leaving? Then what's going to happen to our department?"

"He brings in 90% of our numbers. Where are we supposed to find clients now?"

"We're screwed. We're going to starve."

Sasha shot me a vicious look and jammed a finger at me, her blood-red nail inches from my nose.

"Uncle Joe only took you in out of pity. Without him paying for your schooling, you'd be panhandling on the sidewalk by now! And if the company hadn't fronted your pay, your mom would already be dead.

"You ungrateful bastard!"

I bent down and picked up my phone. The screen was spiderwebbed with cracks, but it still lit up. A rough laugh scraped out of my throat.

"Mr. Watson came to my place and literally got on his knees, begging me to join this company. I've done more than enough for this place. I've been here for five years, and I've been the top salesperson, year after year.

"Half the company's profits come from me. Last year, when we were about to go under, I was the one who closed a three-million-dollar deal and kept this place alive. What gives you the right to call me ungrateful?"