Chapter 3

As I packed my things, the gossipy coworkers nearby started whispering again.

"Tsk, he really thinks he's something special. Just a pathetic guy who got rejected."

"Exactly. Look at him, thinking he has a shot with Madison? Total delusion."

Every word reached my ears.

I didn't bother responding. I just packed my stuff and left.

Actually, the boss and I went to the same college. He was a few years ahead of me, technically my senior.

Back in school, he'd started an internet project and was looking for investors.

My dad happened to be expanding his investment portfolio at the time, so I helped connect them.

Later, when the boss started his company, I wanted to experience normal work life, so I took a random position here.

Over the years, the boss never knew my background, but he'd always treated me decently.

But this time, even though he knew I'd been wronged, he chose to side with Madison just to keep the peace.

Just because I'm a guy, I deserve to be bullied?

The next day, I'd barely arrived at the company when the boss called me into his office.

Madison stood next to him, looking at me smugly.

The boss's face was grim.

"Ryan, I've looked into what happened yesterday."

"Apologize to Madison publicly and cover her medical bills. Then we can put this behind us."

I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity.

Madison spread lies about me, and now I have to apologize to her?

"Why should I?"

The boss's expression turned even darker.

"Ryan! Can't you be reasonable? The company is in a critical phase right now. Do you have to stir up trouble?"

"I'm trying to save you from embarrassment. Otherwise, word gets out that you hit on her, got rejected, and pushed her down? How would that look?"

"Besides, Madison's being generous by not making a bigger deal out of this. Otherwise, you'd be the laughingstock around here."

I laughed bitterly. If I apologized, I'd be confessing to something I didn't do.

"Fine. If that's how you see it, I won't apologize, and I won't pay a cent."

When the boss realized I was serious about quitting, he panicked.

"Ryan! Don't get cocky just because you closed a few deals!"

"You think that's because of your skills? It's because of our company's reputation!"

"Go ahead and quit! Let's see if you can land any projects without us!"

He pointed at my face, practically yelling.

Madison tugged at the boss's sleeve innocently. "Boss, don't be angry."

"If Ryan doesn't want to apologize, it's okay. I can handle a little injustice."

"Please don't fire him in anger. That wouldn't be good for the company."

Her fake concern only made the boss angrier.

His face turned red as he shouted, "You think I'm scared of you, Ryan? You think this company can't survive without you?"

"Who do you think you are? Get out of my office!"

I frowned, looking at this unrecognizable version of my boss. I was completely disappointed.

All these years, I'd considered him a friend. That's the only reason I'd stayed in such a low-level position for so long.

And this is how he repay me.

He probably forgot that more than half the company's projects came through me. They were doing business because of my dad's connections, not his.

Without me, I'd like to see where he'd find new business.

"Fine. I quit!"

It wouldn't be long before he came crawling back.