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The Quiet Exit
The Quiet Exit
Author: Ash Devon

Chapter 1

Author: Ash Devon
"See that, Will? I'm the top sales performer now! The company doesn't need you anymore."

Donald Dixon turned to my sales team, his eyes full of contempt.

"From today on, all of you report directly to me. I guarantee great benefits. Your bonuses will be way better than sticking with this loser!"

The 20 million dollars in sales I earned with blood and sweat became his bragging rights.

Even my own wife, Chelsea Abbott, was staring at Donald with complete focus.

My heart felt like it was being slowly crushed.

It took me a long time before I spoke to Chelsea.

"So you agree with this? I don't care about the numbers anymore. I won't argue over the profit share. I just want to ask. If you fire me, who's paying back the final 60 thousand dollars?"

Seven years ago, Chelsea's family business went under. Her father jumped from a building, leaving behind millions of dollars in debt.

I brought Chelsea into the company and used my own performance to push her into a vice president role with a seven-figure annual salary. I even handed over most of my paycheck and ate boxed lunches that cost a few dollars, all to help her pay off the debt.

The day the debt was reduced to just 60 thousand, Chelsea hugged me tightly in our rented apartment, crying until my collar was soaked.

She said that once the debt was paid off, we would go to Cratesisle and make up for our wedding.

Holding onto that promise, I worked myself to the bone and delivered a record 20 million sales, planning to clear the debt with the dividends.

Yet… Chelsea handed it all over to Donald instead.

She paused for a bit, then told me, "Once the year-end bonus comes in, it'll be covered."

Donald wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Her body stiffened for a split second, but she didn't push him away.

"I'm just sending you home for a while so you can rest. Don't overthink it," she went on. "And everyone can see it. Donald brought in 20 million. That's more than enough to take over…"

"That's nonsense!"

Tommy Foster, the hottest-tempered guy on the team, suddenly shot to his feet.

"Will achieved that 20-million-dollar sales, working day and night with us! How could you side with an outsider on this? Don't you have any shame?"

"Hey, Tommy," Roger Strickland cut in. "The numbers speak for themselves."

His eyes flicked back and forth as he took in Chelsea and Donald holding each other. His tone was smooth and ingratiating.

"Will just couldn't keep up with the market and got overtaken by Donald. Looks like we'll all be learning a few sales tricks from him going forward."

Tommy couldn't hold back his anger. "To hell with Donald! Roger, have you forgotten who's been cleaning up your messes at work? And now, you're turning on Will. How low can you get?"

Last quarter, Roger missed his targets, and I took the pressure to keep him around.

Now, he had completely betrayed me, eager to step on my back to pledge loyalty to Donald.

Roger snapped back at Tommy, "Who do you think you are? Work is about results! Will's finished. If you keep following him, you'll be starving in no time!"

It was hard to hear, but it was the truth nonetheless.

I appreciated Tommy standing up for me, but I didn't want to drag others down with me.

I patted Tommy's shoulder, trying to calm him down, then looked straight at Chelsea.

"Are you sure about this? Are you really going to push me out for Donald?"
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  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 10

    Victor happily welcomed our entire team.Everyone adapted quickly to the new environment, and our performance climbed higher and higher.Not long after, I led them through a competitive counter-project. We hit with precision and squeezed Donald and his company to the brink of collapse.The day Donald was fired by his furious boss, he snapped and rushed straight to Chelsea's rental apartment."Chelsea! Come out!"He kicked the door open, his eyes bloodshot.At that moment, Chelsea's mind was filled with the image of me walking away, and the 60 thousand dollars hanging over her head.She was already completely exhausted."What are you doing here? You wrecked the company, and you still have the nerve to come see me?" Her voice was full of weariness and disgust."You think I wrecked it? If Will hadn't abused his power for revenge, would the company be like this? Would I be unemployed?" Donald snarled. Listening to Donald dump all the blame onto Will, Chelsea laughed in anger."

  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 9

    The moment I finished speaking, the office fell into a dead silence.Then, it exploded with cheers."SkyTech Group?!" Tommy's voice shook with excitement."You mean that top-tier industry giant, SkyTech? Did I hear that right? Damn, you really made it, man!""Yeah! Back then, our boss tried for half a year just to get a connection with SkyTech. He couldn't even meet a department manager!""Will, you didn't just get in! You went straight into headquarters!""With my trash resume, I wouldn't even dare dream of SkyTech. Will, this is the best gift you can ever give us!""Will, we're coming with you!"The guys instantly erupted, eyes blazing, as if a bright future was already right in front of them.Only Roger stood frozen in place. Then he said sourly, "You're bluffing. SkyTech Group is no joke. With your outdated methods, you couldn't even beat Donald. You really think SkyTech would want you?"I smiled, looking at him like he was an idiot."Roger, I trained you myself. I kno

  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 8

    I know exactly how vicious debt collectors could be.Back then, Chelsea was just a junior office clerk.The collectors figured she had no way of paying them back, so they showed up at her door and tried to drag her overseas to sell her into prostitution.That would have been hell for any woman. Once you were sent there, your body would be destroyed, and you'd end up catching all kinds of STDs.Chelsea was terrified, crying nonstop and begging them to let her go.I stepped in front of her and got beaten until three of my ribs were broken.I even gave them the 100 thousand dollars I had saved over years of work for a down payment on a house, just to buy us some time.After hearing that, Chelsea fell silent.After a long time, she looked up. Her eyes were red, filled with despair."Fine. I'll sign. Come to the company in three days, and I'll give you the papers.""Then it's settled. I'll be at the company in three days."Three days later, I showed up as promised.The moment I

  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 7

    Before Donald could even touch me, two security guards rushed in and grabbed his arms from both sides."Let go of me! Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a bunch of guard dogs! How dare you lay hands on me!"Donald struggled wildly, kicking and cursing nonstop."That's enough! Donald, you're representing the company here. Haven't you embarrassed us enough already? We lost today because we weren't good enough. On behalf of Helios Corp, I apologize to everyone…"Chelsea listened to the shouting, her face flushed bright red.She hurriedly bowed, grabbed Donald's arm, and dragged him out together with the guards.Just before she disappeared through the door, she turned back and looked at me, her expression complicated.I didn't follow her.I simply turned around and continued scoring the remaining proposals. I didn't spare Chelsea even the slightest bit of concern.For a full month after the conference, I heard nothing about them.I thought my life would finally be pea

  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 6

    Victor had appeared at some point, his expression so dark that it looked like he might bite someone's head off any second.Donald's face changed instantly. He hurriedly plastered on a flattering smile."Mr. Smart! You misunderstood. That's not what I meant. This guy is a former colleague of mine. He snuck in here pretending to be the chairperson for the bidding conference. I was just about to kick him out for you."Hearing that, Victor let out a cold snort and looked at Donald like he was an idiot."You're blind, and not very bright either."The so-called former colleague you're talking about is a specially appointed chief consultant of SkyTech Group, in charge of the project you're bidding for."He's an industry pillar I invited three separate times before he agreed to come. He's also one of the evaluation committee members. And you say he's pretending?""How is that possible?!"Victor's words exploded in Chelsea's and Donald's ears.The color drained from their faces in an i

  • The Quiet Exit   Chapter 5

    Donald was the first to recover. He let out a strained laugh, forcing his expression to settle."Will, stop putting on a show. There's no way you're the chairperson at a SkyTech Group conference! It's just someone with the same name. You don't seriously think you matter that much, do you?""Yeah. That's enough, Will." Chelsea snapped back to herself as well. She looked at me, helplessness creeping into her voice."I know you're angry about losing your job, so you ran off and used the divorce papers to scare me. As long as you come home with me, I'll pretend I never saw them. We'll forget the whole thing, alright? Once the year-end bonus hits, I'll take you to Cratesisle and give you that wedding…"Here we go again.That wedding, the dream that had carried me through countless sleepless nights, now sounded hollow and almost cruel coming from her mouth."Chelsea, I'm not playing games."I finally pulled my arm free from her grip and took a step back. My voice stayed even as I re

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