Chapter 4

I locked my office door and opened my computer, logging into a private cloud drive with triple encryption.

Inside was everything I'd fought for with my life over five years—all core client information, contact details, personal preferences, and the underlying logic and profit margins of every project.

I picked up my phone and dialed the first number.

"Mr. Lewis, it's me, Sasha."

A hearty laugh came from the other end.

"Sasha!

What's up?

Did that Phase Two project pan out?"

"Mr. Lewis, I've left my old company."

My tone was calm.

"What?!"

Mr. Lewis was shocked.

"Has Richard lost his mind?

You're his cash cow!"

"Difference of vision, that's all.

I'm going out on my own.

The company's already registered—it's called Stellar Tech."

I got to the point.

"That project you're working on, the previous proposal actually had a critical flaw.

I've redone the entire framework.

It'll boost your product performance by twenty percent, and I'll give you two more profit points.

What do you say..."

"Sasha, listen to me."

Mr. Lewis interrupted, his tone serious.

"In business, I've never cared about company names.

I care about people—and I trust you, Sasha Clarke!

If you're going independent, I'm absolutely on board!

I'll have my people stop the contract immediately and transfer it directly to your new company!"

"Thank you, Mr. Lewis."

Hanging up, I didn't pause before dialing the next number.

"Mr. Johnson, your wife's birthday is coming up, right?

I remember she loves that brand's limited edition haute couture.

I had a friend in Paris secure one.

I'll have it sent to your home tomorrow.

And while I'm there, shall we discuss working with my new company?"

"Mr. Collins, I have a new solution for that technical problem you've been stuck on..."

All morning, I didn't even drink water.

My phone grew hot from continuous use.

The client trust I'd built over five years through countless all-nighters, countless drinking sessions that left me with stomach bleeding—it couldn't be easily destroyed by some intern who got in through connections, a scumbag boyfriend who only knew how to make empty promises, and a bloated, stupid boss.

By noon, eighty percent of the company's core clients—the ones generating the revenue—had all verbally agreed to transfer their contracts to my new company.

First step of pulling the rug out from under them: complete.

At two PM, I pushed open the door to the tech department.