บททั้งหมดของ Worm Pasta Was My Last Straw: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

The whole office went silent.Everyone knew Opaline Corp ran on me.If I walked out, ninety percent of the company's contracts would go with me. Opaline wouldn't survive it.People immediately jumped to their feet."Dylan's here thirty minutes early every day. In ten years, this is the first mistake he's ever made. Just let it go."Wendy's expression darkened. Instead of answering, she sent me a message.[Behave. Take the hit for now. Whatever you're upset about, we'll talk at home. Don't make a scene and embarrass us.]I didn't bother replying.The silence made everyone even more nervous. One coworker hurried forward."Forget it. I'll take the punishment. I'll eat the worms. Dylan, calm down. Don't do something you'll regret."He didn't get it.I wasn't acting on emotion.This time, I meant it.Back when Wendy and I first started the company, she loved making an example out of me. If I accidentally printed one extra copy of a document, she'd tear into me in front of every

She had no idea I'd already had enough of her double standards.I'd just uncovered a massive mistake Tristan had made. I was even planning to give her some dignity and handle it in private.But if she was dead set on making me the scapegoat, then I had no reason to keep up appearances.I tossed the documents I'd printed earlier onto the table.Proof that Tristan had sold Opaline Corp's confidential information."I can follow the rules and eat the pasta with worms. But according to company policy, shouldn't Tristan be fired and held liable for selling company secrets?"The room erupted.Everyone stared at the documents in disbelief.No one expected Tristan to stab the company in the back after Wendy had practically bent over backward for him.With everyone watching, Tristan's eyes turned red."Wendy, I'm sorry. I got drunk and someone tricked me into it. I didn't mean to."For a mistake that serious, Wendy barely reacted."You've completely lost control of your drinking. You

And now, barely two months later, she'd spent a hundred thousand dollars on a ring for Tristan Crocker.So it was never about wasting money.I just wasn't worth spending it on.A cold laugh escaped me.I didn't take the bouquet she'd offered.Wendy didn't get upset. Instead, she reached over and straightened my wrinkled collar before fixing my tie.Smiling, she said, "You're a grown man and still can't take care of yourself. I've been so busy lately I haven't even had time to help wash your hair. Look at you—you've got dandruff."The people around us looked on with envy.They didn't know Wendy only acted this gentle when she wanted something.Or when she was trying to smooth over a mistake.Every time, I'd softened.Every time, I'd forgiven her.And every time, she pushed a little further.Not anymore.I turned and walked away.Wendy hurried after me with Tristan trailing behind."Honey, you've lost weight lately. Is your allowance not enough? I'll raise it to a thousan

The smug look vanished from Wendy's face.Shock took its place.Still refusing to give up, she forced a smile. "Mason, it's not April Fools' Day. Don't mess with me. Didn't we already agree on this partnership?"Her eyes flicked toward me.Like something had finally clicked.Then she kept pushing. "Friendship is friendship. Business is business. Don't get emotional."Your company has tons of projects, but clients have always been your weak spot. Work with us, and we both win. There's literally no downside for you."She kept trying to sell it.Mason laughed.Then he nodded. "You're right."Wendy thought she had him. She shot me a triumphant look, like no matter how close Mason and I were, businessmen only cared about profit.Then Mason added, "Did you forget? Your company has client resources, sure. But they're not yours."They're Dylan's."Now that he's my partner, his clients are coming with him."You're sitting on an empty shell of a company. What makes you think you're

"Andy, Bob, what are you doing?""We're quitting. What does it look like?" Bob snapped.As the most outspoken person in the office, he'd clearly had enough."Your vice president is unbelievable. We're not even allowed to talk anymore."Ten bucks deducted for every word. My salary and commissions aren't enough to cover all his stupid fines."We bust our asses for months, and somehow end up owing the company money. Why the hell would I stay?"The others immediately joined in."I answered a client call, and he accused me of slacking off. Instant hundred-dollar fine.""Seriously. We're in sales. Taking client calls is literally our job. He makes us keep our phones on silent. I missed a call, and another company took the client."I complained, and he told me if a client could be stolen, they were never serious buyers in the first place."The employee rolled his eyes."The guy hasn't closed a single deal since he got here. What gives him the right to judge us?"The office was sec