Part 3My Clients Are My Real Equity

The next day, I went to work as normal.

Passing Marcus’s office, I heard him on the phone.

“...Don’t worry, Vivian’s stable. Where can she go, honestly? She’s thirty-five. What company in the Valley is going to want her now?”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

“...Yes, I thought this through. Give options to the old guard like her, and you have to give them to everyone. We won’t have enough left in the pool...”

I didn't need to hear the rest.

I turned around and walked back to my cube.

My heart was racing, but strangely, I wasn't surprised at all.

That afternoon, Sarah found me again.

“Vivian, I need to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Dean’s equity is more than 0.3%.”

I looked up.

“I saw it in the HR system. He has an additional 0.2% in options. Total is 0.5%.”

Zero point five percent.

At our current valuation, that was $250,000.

A new hire, here for six months: $250,000.

Me, ten years: zero.

“Vivian, you look awful,” Sarah said, worried.

“I’m fine.” I forced a smile. “Just going to the restroom.”

I walked into the bathroom and stared at the woman in the mirror.

Thirty-five. Fine lines around my eyes. The dark circles looked like bruises.

I gave the best years of my life to this company.

And what was the return?

“You’re a foundational player. You don’t need incentivization.”

“Where can she go? She’s thirty-five.”

I took a deep breath and splashed cold water on my face.

When I came out, I bumped into Dean.

“Vivian, are the materials ready for the afternoon meeting?” he asked, smiling confidently.

I looked at him.

Top-tier MBA. Suit pressed sharp. Full of ambition.

Six months in, 0.5% equity secured.

Me, ten years, nothing.

“They’re ready,” I said.

“You’re always so reliable, Vivian.” He gave me a thumbs-up. “I still have so much to learn from you.”

Learn from me?

You have 0.5%, and I have 0%.

You’re asking me for advice?

I smiled. “Anytime.”

That evening, when I got home, I made a decision.

I opened my laptop and updated my resume.

Ten years of experience. Managed a hundred-person team. Secured eight core clients. Contributed millions in annual revenue.

The moment I hit ‘Send’ on that first application, I felt a sudden, profound lightness.

I helped carry this company from twenty people to two hundred.

And in the end, I was valued less than the cleaning staff.

If that was the case, then I owed Marcus King nothing.

Three days after submitting my resume, a headhunter called.

“Vivian Lee? I’m Amy from Elite Search. I have a few roles that would be a perfect fit.”

The voice on the other end was polished and professional.

“Tell me about them.”

“There’s a publicly traded company looking for a Regional Director for the East Coast. Your background is highly sought after.”

“What’s the salary range?”

“Starting at $250,000, plus equity.”

I blinked.

$250,000.

My current salary was $150,000.

“How much equity?”

“0.1%. Guaranteed in the contract.”

Zero point one percent.

More than Ms. Elena.

“Are you interested in scheduling an interview?”

“Yes.”

I hung up the phone and sat at my desk, stunned.