Chapter 1

After receiving my resignation request, the manager, Preston Alec, summoned me to his office with a scowl."Kylie! What's with the tantrum? I already explained everything very clearly."His gaze dropped to my hands. He stared at the mug, then pointed at me."That cup was specially approved by me because you're the company's only female engineers. It has commemorative value! And now, instead of thanking me, you're submitting your resignation?"His words sounded righteous, as if I were the one making a mountain out of a molehill.I smiled and set the mug down on his desk."Take it back. We don't want the year-end bonus, and we don't want this job either."Ten full years.When I first brought my team to this company, there were only ten employees. Back then, it was nothing more than an obscure little studio.We were crammed into a tiny office. To save money, there was no heater in winter, even when temperatures dropped below minus ten degrees. In summer, despite the suffocating h

Chapter 2

The moment I stepped into my office, it had already been cleared out.Only my team remained, standing by the doorway.Eva Langrose saw the guilt in my eyes and came over, patting my shoulder."Kylie, following you was our choice. Don't blame yourself. If you hadn't kept leading us all these years, we wouldn't be where we are today. Since those men think we're replaceable, let them try."I gave a short laugh and brushed the tears from the corner of my eye."Everything's been wiped?"They nodded."Don't worry, Kylie. All of our private code and encryption keys have been completely removed."I smiled and patted their shoulders.For ten years, as the company expanded, it demanded higher-quality games and smoother payment experiences for players.For that payment system, I led the team through countless nights of overtime.Back then, Preston had looked at me with rare seriousness."Kylie, this is the company's core. Your team must get it right. When it's done, I'll give your who

Chapter 3

After leaving the company, I looked at my team and gave them a wistful smile."Tonight, we're going out too, to celebrate escaping a beast of a company. It's time we enjoyed life for once—my treat."The team nodded in agreement.That evening, the restaurant lights felt strangely unfamiliar. It was as if I hadn't been in a place like this for lifetimes.Just as I was about to sit down and order, an offer letter slipped out from inside the menu and landed in my hand.It was an employment offer from Mecha Games, the largest game developer in the world.I looked around in shock, and finally spotted Leo Winters, Mecha Games's current CEO, seated in an inconspicuous corner.He raised a hand to me naturally.I returned a calm smile, then suppressed the joy rising in my chest and turned to my team."Looks like we've found a better job."An hour later, when I placed the hundred-thousand-dollar annual salary offers in front of them, both my teammates and I burst into tears.We had wor

Chapter 4

When the news of the system crash appeared, sweat began to bead across Preston's forehead.At that moment, the company's largest client—the man who held virtual currency assets worth billions—called."Preston, what is going on with your company? This has never happened before. Where is the person who used to be responsible for the security of my assets?"The voice on the other end was filled with unmistakable suspicion.Preston swallowed and forced himself to sound calm."Those female staff you mentioned were just freeloaders! I made a personnel adjustment today. It's normal for problems to appear during a transition. I've already let the technical director take in charge of your asset security!"There was a brief second of silence. Then the man's tone turned graver than ever."So what you're telling me is that everyone responsible for my virtual currency security has been replaced?"Still unaware of how serious the situation was, Preston assumed the client approved of his deci

Chapter 5

After we left the restaurant, I drove each member of my team home one by one.I told Eva that she was the greatest mother in the world and the teammate I admired most.She was not disgusting, and she was not the "overdramatic" person he had called her.She was strong, hardworking, and brave.It was that company that did not deserve someone like her.My words brought light back into her eyes. Before she got out of the car, she hugged me tightly."Kylie, you're the best person I've ever met. In this life, I'm willing to work with you—to build something that truly belongs to us."That night, every one of us finally released the emotions we had suppressed for so long.We did not collapse into despair. We did not lose faith in this industry. Because we knew—our real lives were only just beginning.Early the next morning, my phone was flooded with missed calls.There were also hundreds of text messages, all from Preston.In less than an hour, he went from calling me a whore to beg

Chapter 6

My words left Preston so furious that he could barely breathe.The people behind him fell silent as well."Since you're all so capable, then fix the system yourselves. Why are you making trouble for me?" I said."And I'm no longer an employee of your company. Every step of my resignation was approved by you personally. Any problems the company has now have nothing to do with me. I won't get involved, and I won't interfere."My words backed him into a corner. Then, as if a thought suddenly struck him, he raised his voice."I get it now! You were dissatisfied with the company's treatment, so you deliberately sabotaged the system when you resigned! No wonder you quit so easily. You had everything planned from the start! You're the real culprit who drove the company to ruin!"With that, Preston pulled out his phone and dialed a number. A familiar voice came through.It was the call from the former company's biggest client."Preston, what more does your company have to say?"Presto