Chapter 1

I was out of town, having just closed a hundred-million-dollar contract. Before I could even send the good news to the team, an email popped up in my inbox. It was a salary reduction agreement from HR.

"Liam, as the Head of Sales, you need to lead by example. The company is going through a rough patch, so we're cutting mid-level management's salaries by 30%!"

I rejected it immediately. But when I got back to the office, my keycard wouldn't scan. They had revoked my security clearance, and my work accounts were completely shut down.

Oh, so that's how we're playing this?

Fine. I'm going to gift this company a fast-track ticket to bankruptcy!

If business is so bad, why keep it open anyway?

Looking at the pay cut notice from HR, I was completely stunned. After double-checking to make sure it wasn't a prank, I replied directly to the email: Rejected.

A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was my boss, Arthur Sterling. "Liam, you're a veteran here. You need to lead by example. The market is tough right now, and the company is struggling."

"This pay cut is just to help us get through this rough patch. You need to be understanding!"

"I understand, Arthur, but I don't accept it. On this business trip, I just---"

Before I could finish, Arthur lost his temper and cut me off. "Liam! Don't get cocky just because you have some talent! This company gave you the platform to grow. Now is the time for you to stand with us!"

Hearing him scream through the receiver, I kept my voice deadpan. "I don't agree to the pay cut."

"Fine! Just you wait!"

He slammed the phone down. I looked at the signed contract in my hands and fell into deep thought.

Then, I opened Snapchat to get some inside info from a close colleague.

"Liam, everyone in the company is being forced to sign it. Arthur was raging just now. He said you weren't cooperating and that he'd make an example out of you first! You need to get back here fast!"

Seeing the message from my team member, Chris, I logged into my email to back up all my work evidence. I wrapped up the loose ends of my project and booked the next flight back.

By the time I returned to the office, it was the next afternoon.

When I reached the lobby, the facial recognition scanner failed. I tried my keycard, but it had been deactivated. I couldn't even get past the turnstile.

I called Chris, and he came downstairs to let me in, whispering, "Arthur ordered HR to deactivate your card. He said you refused the pay cut and were being uncooperative. Liam, be careful. He's definitely going to make your life living hell!"

"He wouldn't dare. I just got back from a major business trip. Messing with me now is pure stupidity."

"Who knows if he's lost his damn mind. HR has already started calling people in for 'chats'!"

"Sigh! Arthur is really suffocating us. He could have at least made the cut smaller!"

Make it smaller? No way. A 30% cut on my salary was exactly what he needed to fund his mistress's lavish lifestyle in Paris.

If I hadn't personally seen his mistress boasting on Ins about her pregnancy and her luxury shopping sprees, I might have actually believed the company was struggling.

When I walked into the department, my colleagues looked at me with mixed expressions. Chris headed to the restroom to avoid getting caught talking to me.

I sat at my desk and prepared to upload the new contract, only to find I couldn't log into the system.

I entered my password several times, but the screen only displayed: Access Denied.

I got the message.

They blocked my access and locked me out of the building just to force me into accepting the pay cut.

Fine. Let's have a chat.

I patted the folder containing the hundred-million-dollar contract in my bag, stood up, and went to Arthur's office. Before I could even speak, he sneered. "Liam, you think you're so smart. A genius like you is far too grand for my little company!"

"Arthur, what is that supposed to mean?"

"You've been absent without leave for more than three days. According to company policy, you are officially terminated!"

"No need to explain. Just pack your bags and get the hell out!"

Hearing this, my blood boiled. "Absent? I was on a business trip!"

Arthur gave me a smug, patronizing smile. "A business trip? Where's the proof? Where's the contract? You have nothing. How are you going to prove you were working?"

I reached into my bag to pull out the contract, but suddenly, I stopped.

Arthur wanted to snatch the contract first and then throw me out like trash. He wanted to drain every last drop of my value.

Not a chance.

"No proof means you were slacking off. Liam, you're fired. Get out of my office. Right now!"

He pointed at the door, looking absolutely thrilled with himself.

"Arthur, are you absolutely sure you want me to get out?"