Part 2The Protege's Five Million Dollar Betrayal

I didn't bother listening to the rest of her tough-girl speech. I turned on my heel and marched straight to the Branch Manager's office.

Manager Sterling seemed to already know exactly why I was there. Before I could even speak, he started trying to pacify me.

"Elena, listen. The ink is already dry on the contract. If you start fighting your own protégé over a client, it's going to look terrible for everyone."

"Besides, you weren't here. Making a VIP client wait that long is a failure on the firm's part."

"Chloe was actually covering for you."

I suppressed the fire burning in my chest and explained calmly:

"When Mr. Vance arrived, I was already pulling into the parking garage. Chloe deliberately parked her car horizontally across the access aisle, which is why I was delayed by a few minutes."

"I already spoke to Mr. Vance on the phone. Why did Chloe still process the paperwork under the pretense that she was acting on my behalf?"

I shoved my phone across the desk, showing him Mr. Vance's text.

"Mr. Vance still has no idea what actually happened. Who exactly is stealing whose client here?"

My tone sharpened. Manager Sterling's face hardened in response.

"Elena, I think you've let your ego get way out of control lately."

"I have never heard of a wealth manager making a VIP wait. You made a mistake, and now you're blaming your coworkers?"

"Chloe fixed your massive screw-up. Instead of thanking her, you're accusing her of theft?!"

"If it wasn't for her, Mr. Vance probably would have walked right out the door!"

Now I understood perfectly. Manager Sterling and Chloe were in this together.

For him to defend her this aggressively... it was impossible not to suspect he had orchestrated this whole thing.

Seeing my face flush with anger, Manager Sterling softened his tone, switching to his usual manipulative tactics.

"You're her mentor. Her securing a massive client is partly a reflection of your excellent training."

"Tell you what, I'll approve two days of PTO for you. Go home, rest up, and really think about whether your behavior today was professional."

"Elena, you need to learn to be content. Your monthly commission is the highest in the entire branch. You make more money than I do."

"What more do you want?"

Carrot and stick. It was his classic playbook, and he thought it would work on me.

Unfortunately for him, he had forgotten one crucial detail: I didn't apply for this job. I was aggressively headhunted by the previous branch manager.

I brought a massive book of business with me. My portfolio brought in an average of nearly $15 million in new daily deposits, essentially subsidizing the salaries of over half the staff in this building.

My high income was entirely due to my own hustle and connections. It had absolutely zero to do with his "leadership."

In that exact moment, I made the decision to jump ship.

"Manager Sterling, since the commission for Mr. Vance's account is going to Chloe, I'll be sure to contact him and let him know. Also, I expect Chloe to reimburse me for the expenses incurred in securing his business."

"From the day I started courting Mr. Vance until this morning, I've spent roughly $1,500 out of pocket on gifts and dinners. I'll compile an itemized expense report. Please make sure Chloe is aware she needs to pay it."

His eyes widened in absolute shock. "Elena, you are being completely ridiculous."

"Those were your personal, out-of-pocket expenses! Why should Chloe reimburse you?!"

"Just because you claim it was for client maintenance doesn't make it a firm-mandated expense!"

"I think you're just bitter and trying to sabotage our most promising new hire!"

"Elena, we're all veterans here. The firm needs fresh blood to survive. You can't just hoard the top-biller spot forever. You have to leave some room for the rookies to grow."

"This matter is closed. Mr. Vance was hosted by Chloe, and he signed the paperwork with Chloe. He is her client."

"If you're feeling generous, you should actually transfer a few more of your accounts to your protégé. But if you aren't, you at least shouldn't stand in the way of someone else's ambition."

"Elena, I'm warning you for your own good. Don't try any underhanded tricks."

I honestly couldn't hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing.

I had never heard of anyone "hoarding" the top-biller spot like it was a reserved parking space.

Every top-performing wealth manager in this industry either had massive generational wealth connections, insane luck, or legendary networking skills. I had never heard of a veteran willingly handing over their top rank to a rookie out of the goodness of their heart.

Manager Sterling had been parachuted into this role from the IT department. He was a classic case of an amateur trying to dictate to a professional.

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him anymore. I pulled out my laptop, opened the HR portal, typed out my formal letter of resignation, and hit send.