Chapter 4

I took out my resignation letter and placed it on the desk.

Bill glanced at it and stubbed out his cigar on the page with a contemptuous smile.

“Kristen, this is getting ridiculous. You’re throwing away your career over a little money. Try looking at the bigger picture. How about I raise your salary again to $10,000 a month?”

I rose to my feet.

“This isn’t about the money.”

His expression darkened with a frown.

“Don’t push your luck. You should be worried about the action the company can take against you.”

I looked him in the eye.

He lowered his voice, and a cold smile formed at the corners of his mouth.

“Company policy prohibits unauthorized access to confidential payroll records. You pressured someone in finance into giving you that information last night, which is a clear violation of the employee handbook.

“Under the terms of your contract, you’re liable for damages.”

“How much?”

Bill smiled. “Not much. Just $1,000,000.”

He wanted $1,000,000.

I had not earned that much in all six years at the company combined.

So, I said, “Absolutely not. This is extortion.”

Bill spread his hands. “Don’t put it like that. Think of it as a reflection of how valuable you are to the company.”

“I’ve already turned in my notice.”

He smiled again. “You haven’t completed the exit process. Until you do, every clause in your contract still applies.”

“This is illegal!”

Bill casually tapped the ash from his cigar.

“Then, go ahead and file a complaint with the labor board. But let me remind you that accessing confidential payroll records is a serious breach in this industry. All I have to do is spread the word.

“Do you really think another company will hire you after that? Don’t be naive, Kristen.”

I clenched my fists until my nails dug so deeply into my palms that they nearly drew blood.

Bill knew me too well.

He had aimed his threat at the one thing I cared about most.

My silence convinced him that he had scared me into submission.

He flicked a finger toward the door and shooed me away, as though I were beneath him.

“That’s enough. Get out. When you have $1,000,000 to settle what you owe, then we can discuss your resignation. Until then, get back to work. Your hard work will be rewarded.”

I looked at him and said nothing.

When I stepped out of Bill’s office, the entire floor was even quieter than before.

Everyone kept their heads down. Their thumbs were flying across their phone screens.

Every so often, someone glanced up at me with a loaded expression before returning to their messages.

They all assumed I had backed down.

Even Jason’s initial guilt had turned into contempt.

I walked straight into my office without slowing down or looking at anyone.

People went out of their way to avoid passing my door, as though being seen near me might somehow taint them too.

Hushed voices drifted from the break room. The conversation came in fragments, but every word reached me clearly.

No one dared speak openly, yet their silent rejection cut deeper than any insult.

I looked around the place where I had spent six years of my life. For the first time, it felt completely cold and alien.

Irene sent me a message.

[Kristen, Mr. Koenig just informed me that your performance last month didn’t meet expectations, so your raise is canceled. Your salary will remain at $6,000.]

[Please transfer the extra $2,200 back to the company’s payroll account before the end of the day.]

I stared at the message, and my fingers suddenly felt too heavy to move.

Nevertheless, I responded.

[Understood.]

Then, I opened my banking app.

Right then, a reply from the recruiter appeared on my screen.

[Ms. Hennie, I apologize for the delayed response. Your resume is exceptional, particularly your client portfolio. I’ve heard back from at least seven firms in the industry. Even the lowest offer is $25,000 a month.]

[If you are interested, they are prepared to bring you aboard immediately.]

[When are you available to meet? I can walk you through the offers.]

I froze, and the fire inside me roared back to life.

I replied, [I’m available tonight.]

After that, I immediately removed all my personal files from the computer and cleared my browsing history.

Then, I announced my resignation to the client group and tagged everyone.

[You can terminate your contracts now.]