Chapter 2

"Do you think the company is a welfare institution? How could you just hire anyone? A company is a workplace, not a classroom for underqualified hires to catch up."

HR explained that these people were all skilled technicians with several certificates, but Natalie still insisted on dismissing these skilled professionals on the grounds of insufficient education.

It turned out that her opposition to meritocracy only applied when it came to Morgan.

The memory ended, and I moved two steps forward in line.

I happened to see my team members sending messages in the group chat to comfort me.

[I'm so pissed! Boss, how could Ms. Ford do this?]

[Yeah, you two are husband and wife. When we first knew that it was a company run by a married couple, we didn't dare to join. But this whole time, you've been so generous and helpful.]

They chatted among themselves, all defending me.

My pent-up frustrations suddenly eased. I sent a cash gift to the group chat, and it quickly excited them. They all praised me for my generosity.

Suddenly, a punishment notice appeared in the main work group chat.

[Employees who use their phones for entertainment during work hours will have half a month's salary deducted. A second offense will result in dismissal.]

I frowned and scrolled through the document, finding it increasingly ridiculous.

Those who had wished Morgan well, envying and praising him, were all safe. Only my team members who had stood up for me were being punished. Natalie wanted to alienate my team members from me. How ruthless.

Instantly, our team group chat exploded with messages.

[Damn, what happened to the gentle lady back then?]

[She's blatantly trying to sow discord and make us dissatisfied with the boss.]

[A divide-and-conquer tactic. This woman is really vicious.]

I cut them off by sending another cash gift before they went too far.

[Regardless, you're all being punished because of me. This cash gift isn't much. Just treat yourself to some nice food.]

Soon, another team member asked: [Being constantly suppressed like this, I have absolutely no motivation to work. Boss, do you want to leave?]

Someone replied: [What nonsense are you talking about? They're married.]

I silently typed: [We won't be married anymore soon.]

The group chat exploded again.

[Amazeballs! We men never give up.]

[Boss, will you quit and go solo? I'll follow you forever!]

Seeing the antics of my adorable team members, I could not help but laugh.

Having been married for eight years, Natalie knew very well that I did not care much about my quality of life, but I would ensure the well-being of those around me.

'Never let down those who trust me' was my motto.

However, she had let me down time and time again. Every time we had a conflict, she took it out on my team members.

I had tolerated her for eight whole years. This time, I refused to continue tolerating her.

I texted a contact.

The reply was almost instantaneous.

[Damn, Ian, you've finally come to your senses. I've been eyeing your connections for a long time. Come, I'll give you a top-tier salary in the industry.]

I answered: [I need your help with something.]

[We're like family. Just say the word, and I'll go through fire and water for you.]

I immediately responded: [I want to bring my team members with me.]

They remained silent and did not reply for a long time.

Just when I thought the negotiation had failed, they sent me 20 cash gifts, each containing at least 5,000 dollars, which was almost a month's basic salary for my team members.

[Say no more. Consider these cash gifts as a welcome gift to my pals. I know it's not much. When you join, I'll give your employees a 20% raise.]

I breathed a sigh of relief and sent a thank you.

The era of Natalie controlling me through my team members was over.

After I got everything sorted out, it was finally my turn in the line. I handed over the divorce papers. Back then, I wanted to give Natalie some security, so I proactively signed a divorce agreement. That way, she could leave anytime she felt I was not good enough.

She jokingly insisted on signing one too, saying it would make things fair. I never expected it would actually come in handy.

"Sir, a divorce agreement alone is not enough to complete the divorce. We need both spouses to be present."