Part 2My Ex-Boss Begged Me to Return After Blacklisting Me

I firmly believed what Franklin said.

Over the course of seven years, I turned down countless offers from various companies, devoting myself wholeheartedly to making Kinetix thrive.

Working overtime was a common occurrence. Black coffee was always on my desk to keep me alert. Countless nights, while the city slept, I sat at my computer, repeatedly debugging the program.

When tired, I would lean my head against the desk for a nap. When hungry, I would just eat a simple sandwich to make do.

Franklin repeatedly advised me to rest more, but I felt all my efforts were worthwhile when I saw the company's business booming.

In the summer of my seventh year, the company's system was maliciously attacked, nearly causing a complete shutdown.

From then on, everything changed.

"Shutdown?" Alex widened his eyes in surprise. "So you and Kinetix had a falling out because of a problem with the company's system? He blamed it on you?"

I shook my head.

It was actually the opposite. Three years ago, when the company's system was attacked and the entire operation was nearly jeopardized, it was Franklin who personally sought me out, patted me on the shoulder, and said, "Charlie, I trust you the most in the entire company.

“Only you can complete this system upgrade. Time is tight, and the task is demanding, but the company won't forget your contribution. Once you finish upgrading the system, the position of Tech Director and a cash bonus of $100,000 will be yours!"

It was my seventh year working at Kinetix.

Over those seven years, I had solved countless technical challenges for the company, often at the expense of my own health. I did it to earn a promotion and a raise and give my family a better life.

I took on the task.

For three full months, while others clocked in and out right on time, I bought a folding bed to the office and practically made the company my home.

While my colleagues enjoyed weekends off and traveled during holidays, I ordered sandwich deliveries and made do with quick, simple meals for lunch and dinner.

I dared not stop for a moment. I poured my best technical skills into the project and devoured five programming manuals during the time.

Finally, I completed the company-wide technical upgrade on the day the three-month mark arrived.

I remembered it was a beautiful sunny day.

After inspecting the upgraded system, Franklin slammed his hand on the desk. "Excellent! Charlie, you've done a fantastic job! You truly are my most valued employee. Take the afternoon off to rest. I'm hosting a celebration dinner for you tonight!"

I was overjoyed and secretly called my mom to tell her I was about to get a promotion and a $100,000 bonus. Once the money was in hand, I would buy her a wheelchair, take her on a nice trip, and finally give her the good life she deserved.

Afterward, I went home, showered, shaved, and put on a dapper outfit. I returned to the office in high spirits, ready to hold my boss to his promise.

Just as I reached the doorway to Franklin's office, I heard him say, "This system works so well that it won't need an update for the next three years. Charlie is useless now.

“Find a reason to fire him."

Franklin's words were spoken casually, yet they left me frozen in place.

Useless now? Fire me?

I had worked so hard for three months. My hair had grown long enough to cover my eyes, my face was scruffy with stubble, and my health was even suffering.

Not only did Franklin have no intention of honoring his promise of a promotion and raise, but he also planned to fire me? All because I had done my job so well that the system would not need maintenance for three years?

I stood there for a full ten minutes, my mind completely blank.

Before I could process it all, I heard voices from inside again. "Firing him is easy. Any excuse will do. But how do we handle the severance package?"

Ben Zachary, the colleague I considered myself closest to, answered with an ingratiating chuckle, "According to the employment contract, the company needs to give him a severance package plus an extra month's pay. Charlie's been here seven years, so that sum isn't a small amount."

Franklin lit a cigarette and took a drag. "A severance package plus an extra month's pay won't do. The company would lose too much."

He paused and continued speaking.