My Boss Tried to Ruin Me

Start Reading

At the company team-building dinner, our CEO, Arthur Sterling, invited the core management team.

As the Head of Tech, I arrived right on time, only to find there was no seat left for me.

Chloe Ward, the Head of Sales, covered her mouth and smirked.

Oh, Elena. I'm so sorry. We thought you weren't coming.

"After all, your department cost Arthur a fortune this year."

My heart went cold. I knew she was targeting me. I scoffed.

"What is that supposed to mean, Chloe?"

"Our product upgrade was highly praised by the market. On the other hand, Sales has been tanking."

"Are you trying to use the Tech Department as a scapegoat for your own missed targets?"

Chloe's face twisted with rage. She turned to Arthur. "Look at her, Arthur. This is the attitude of the Tech Department."

Our product was my shield. I looked at Arthur without fear.

But Arthur only said:

"Tech spent a lot of money this year. A punishment is indeed in order."

"Elena, for tonights dinner, you can stand and serve Chloe."

I let out a cold, disbelieving laugh.

Humiliating me in public? Fine. If you want a circus, let's burn the whole tent down.

A waiter quickly brought a set of disposable cutlery.

Arthur gestured with his chin toward the space next to Chloe. "Elena, stand right there."

Chloe smirked, and the others at the table chuckled along.

The Head of R&D even went so far as to slide his chair over, leaving a wider space for me to stand and wait on them.

Rage surged to my head. "Mr. Sterling, every single penny the Tech Department requested this year went into product upgrades."

"Purchasing records, R&D logs, test reportseverything is documented and fully transparent."

"If you think that deserves punishment, then I have nothing to say."

"Oh, listen to Ms. Elena Lewis," Chloe said lazily, using her fork to place a piece of sashimi into Arthurs bowl.

"As if your department is the only one working, and the rest of us are just freeloaders?"

Her words actually triggered a memory.

The Sales Department spent five million on a "service upgrade" this year. They burned through that cash without a second thought.

And the result? A major account they had been chasing for six months fell through.

Five million dollars down the drain, and third-quarter sales plummeted by thirty percent.

I stared at her and sneered.

"I don't know about the other departments, but Sales has definitely been freeloading this year. You couldn't even keep your loyal clients."

Chloes face turned pale instantly.

"Elena! That five million was a strategic investment approved by Arthur himself. Are you questioning his decision?"

Viper. She immediately deflected the blame onto Arthur.

As expected, Arthurs expression darkened.

Just then, the waiter stood beside me with the cutlery.

Arthur waved his hand, signaling the waiter to hand them to me.

I didn't take them. "Mr. Sterling, the value of the Tech Department is not measured by standing and serving food."

"If that's what this company believes, then Id rather skip this dinner."

I turned toward the exit.

"Elena," Arthurs voice boomed behind me.

"If you walk out that door tonight, don't bother coming back to work tomorrow."

My footsteps froze.

My daughter, Barbara, has congenital heart disease. She just had her second surgery last month.

To pay for it, we sold our house and our car.

Everyone in the upper management knew this.

Arthur was bringing this up now because he knew he had me by the throat.

But I couldn't jeopardize Barbaras treatment.

Slowly, I turned back around and took the cutlery from the waiter.

"Elena, I want some fish," Chloe mocked, covering her mouth as she laughed.

My grip on the fork tightened. I picked up a piece of fish and placed it on her plate.

"Here you go, Chloe," my voice sounded dry and hollow, barely recognizing it as my own.

Chloe smiled smugly, picked up the fish, and put it in her mouth.

Pfft!

The next second, she spat the fish right into my face.

The chewed-up meat hit my skin. The fishy stench rushed into my nose.

In that instant, I felt the blood in my veins run cold, then boil.

"Ugh! It's overcooked and dry!" She pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Elena, your serving skills are just like your tech productsrough and useless."

The table erupted into laughter again.

Arthur joined in. "Elena, did you hear that? You need to learn from Chloe."

"Tech is one thing, but interpersonal skills and service mindset need to keep up with the times."

"Don't just stand there. See what Chloe needs. Have some initiative."

Spit and wet fish clung to my cheek, sliding down my skin.

The buzzing laughter filled my ears.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I bit my lip so hard, refusing to let them fall.

"Mr. Sterling, Chloe, I need to use the restroom."

I kept my eyes down, my voice barely a whisper.

"Don't leave yet, Elena," Chloe grabbed my arm.

"When clients throw up all over me after drinking too much, I don't just walk away."

Someone chimed in, "Exactly, Elena. Frankly, you're lucky Mr. Sterling values old loyalty, or he wouldn't tolerate your attitude."

"With your communication skills, you wouldn't even get a job as a janitor elsewhere."

"Elena, Mr. Sterling isn't actually holding a grudge. You should pour him a drink and thank him for giving you this chance."

Before I could react, someone shoved a glass of vodka into my hand and pushed me forward.

I stumbled two steps, landing right in front of Arthur at the head of the table.

Arthur leaned back in his chair, looking at me with a greasy grin.

"Elena," he murmured, his fingers sliding over the back of my hand, giving it a suggestive squeeze.

"I've always appreciated your skills. It's just your temper..."

This absolute bastard!

I yanked my hand back, aimed at his oily face, and threw the vodka straight at him.

"Ah! Arthur! Arthur, are you okay?"

Chloe panicked, rushing over with napkins to wipe his face.

Arthur grabbed Chloes hand and screamed at me, "Elena, if you don't want to work here, get the hell out!"

"Fine! Consider this my resignation!"

With that, I turned and stormed out.

Behind me, Chloe and Arthurs furious curses echoed.

Leaving the restaurant, I unlocked my old bicycle and rode toward the hospital.

On the road, the tears I had held back all night finally poured down.

Just before reaching the hospital, I wiped my face clean, forcing myself to look normal.

I pushed open the door of the ward. Barbara was already asleep.

My husband, Stuart, looked up when he heard the door.

"You're back..." His voice trailed off as his eyes locked onto my face.

"Elena, what happened?"

"Nothing," I turned my head, avoiding his gaze. "Just had a drink, and someone spilled it on me."

Stuart was silent for a few seconds. He placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "Elena, don't carry everything on your own."

"Barbara's surgery is done. My company is finally making a profit. We'll have a big payout next month."

"Don't push yourself so hard, okay? You don't have to carry the world."

My nose stung. I quickly looked down, whispering a soft, "Okay."

I barely slept that night.

The next morning, I still went to the office.

Even if I was leaving, I had to pack my things. Some of my research notes and personal files were too valuable to lose.

The Tech Department was at the end of the hallway.

When I reached my office door, I found it slightly ajar.

I pushed it open, and my heart sank.

My desk was completely bare. Not even a scrap of paper was left.

Chloe was standing right in front of where my desk used to be.

Hearing my footsteps, she turned around, a smug grin plastered on her face.

"Oh, look who's here! You're quite early." She picked up an envelope from the desk and tossed it at me.

"Here. Your termination letter."

I stared at the envelope but didn't touch it. "Where are my things?"

Chloe smirked, her manicured finger pointing toward the trash can in the corner.

My blood ran cold.

Scattered around the trash bin were shattered pieces of glass.

Those were my trophies and awards from the past few years.

My professional textbooks and research notebooks were thrown into a messy pile next to them, covered in dirty footprints.

"You!"

Rage erupted. I glared at Chloe.

"What right do you have to touch my things? This is my personal property!"

Chloe crossed her arms and scoffed. "Elena, do you still think you're the Head of Tech?"

"You're just an ungrateful, fired washed-up woman."

"Your trash was taking up space. I did you a favor by cleaning it. No need to thank me."

Inhaling deeply, I walked over to the trash can and knelt down to pick up my notes and certificates.

Suddenly, Chloes high heel kicked forward.

Crash! Glass shards flew everywhere.

I instinctively shielded my face with my arms, but I was too late.

A sharp piece of glass sliced across my left cheek.

"Ah!"

I cried out in pain, covering my cheek. Warm blood immediately seeped through my fingers.

A few of my former team members had gathered at the door.

Seeing this, they tried to rush in. "Elena! Are you okay?"

"Stop right there!" Chloe barked, glaring at the crowd. "Let's see who dares to help her."

"The Tech Department is undergoing a restructuring. I haven't submitted the layoff list to Arthur yet."

"If anyone wants to pack their bags with this fired loser, step right up!"

Her threat worked like a bucket of ice water. The employees froze at the door.

Only Hathaway, a girl I had personally mentored from her internship days, broke through and ran to help me up.

"Elena, oh my god, you're bleeding. Come on, I'm taking you to the ER."

Chloes face turned green. She pointed at Hathaway. "You're fired too! Get out of my sight!"

Hathaway helped me stand up and glared at Chloe. "Gladly. Let's go, Elena."

At the hospital, Hathaway was still shaking with rage.

"Hathaway, I'm so sorry. I dragged you into this," I said, my voice hoarse.

"Don't say that," Hathaway shook her head quickly. "It's not your fault at all."

"Management and Chloe have been treating us like garbage."

"We work ourselves to the bone for the product, and they just say we're burning cash. Our salary is a joke, and Arthur even cut our bonuses. Who would want to work for that jerk anyway?"

"So, what's your plan now?"

"I... I don't know," she muttered, rubbing her hands nervously.

I suddenly thought of Stuarts profitable company.

I took out my phone and dialed his number.

"Stuart, does your company need people? Product development. I have a brilliant colleague..."

"Yes!" Stuart answered without a second of hesitation. "I've been waiting for you to say that."

"My company is where you belong, Elena."

"Bring your people over. I'll match whatever you want!"

Hathaways eyes lit up. The very next day, she joined Stuart's company with me.

We quickly formed a new team and began developing a direct competitor product targeting Arthur's core market.

A few days later, Hathaway whispered to me:

"Elena, some of our old colleagues from Tech reached out. They want to know if we're hiring."

"Chloe pushed Arthur to lay off more people, and a bunch of them got sacked. They're looking for jobs."

After a moment's thought, I nodded. "Tell them to come."

Soon, a familiar yet completely revitalized team was assembled.

Our goal was crystal clear: build a superior product and crush Arthur's business.

By the end of the year, the contract for the "Smart Community" project was up for bidding.

This was the crown jewel Arthur's company was desperate to secure, and it was our primary target.

On the day the results were announced, we won.

This meant Arthur's company lost at least ten million dollars in projected revenue.

That night, Arthur posted a bitter, passive-aggressive message on LinkedIn, hinting that "disloyal employees stole trade secrets to engage in malicious competition."

Chloe was more direct. She shared the news article on Twitter with the caption:

"Some people will do anything for money. Stealing Arthur's project and poaching his team. Aren't you afraid of karma?"

I smiled and put my phone down.

On Friday, I took my team out to celebrate.

The atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was raising their glasses.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

I declined it.

The next second, the door of our private dining room was pushed open.

Two uniformed police officers walked in, their eyes locking onto me.

"Elena Lewis? We received a formal complaint."

"You are suspected of stealing proprietary technical secrets before leaving your former employer."

"Please come with us to the station to assist with the investigation."

The room fell dead silent. All glasses froze in mid-air.

Hathaway was the first to react. "Officers, that's impossible!"