- 2 days ago
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00:02ترجمة نانسي قنقر
00:30Our director Susan suddenly grabbed the microphone from my hand.
00:34With a smile, she removed my name from the slide titled Project Leader and replaced it with her own.
00:39Let's clear this up. Ethan was just my errand guy.
00:42The core system architecture? I built that myself. Night after night.
00:47You're still young, Ethan. Opportunities? Tons ahead.
00:51As for this promotion and the million dollar bonus? All mine.
00:55She looked at me with open provocation.
00:57Some people whispered that Susan was shameless.
01:00Others laughed at how weak I looked.
01:01I didn't argue. I didn't make a scene.
01:05I simply stepped back and handed her a document.
01:08Right, Susan. The reward for good work is more work.
01:12And the final sign-up should be yours.
01:15Susan grinned and took the project liability form.
01:17She signed her name without even reading it.
01:20After the celebration ended, Susan stormed into my office with a group of people.
01:26Ethan, if you're just a runner, you don't deserve a private office.
01:29People grabbed my stuff and tossed it into boxes.
01:32I just watched.
01:33See that empty desk in the corner?
01:36Fast internet. Nice spot. Go sit.
01:39Not like you've got real work, anyway.
01:42My things were tossed straight into the trash.
01:44Susan, isn't this a bit too much?
01:46She laughed and poked my chest with her finger.
01:50Too much?
01:52That's how things work here.
01:54You've got no connections? No backup?
01:56What'd you expect?
01:58Right then, notification sounds echoed across the office.
02:01A company-wide email had arrived.
02:04All credit for the Sky Peak project went to Susan.
02:07Million dollar bonus.
02:09A nomination for vice president.
02:11The same colleagues who just pitied me were suddenly fiending it out her.
02:14Congrats, Susan!
02:16You totally earned it!
02:17Only you could handle this project.
02:19Ethan? Nah, no way he could.
02:21Everyone surrounded her, handing her water, massaging her shoulders.
02:26They praised her while mocking me.
02:28Susan glanced at me and smiled smugly.
02:30Afternoon drinks are on me today. Everyone's invited.
02:33Then she walked to my desk and slammed a cup of hot water onto it.
02:36The water splashed and burned the back of my hand.
02:39Here, Ethan. Drink it. Chill. Don't be jealous.
02:43The office burst into laughter, but I said nothing.
02:46I just wiped the water off my hand.
02:49I pulled out my phone and sent $200 via Venno to the team chat.
02:54Message read,
02:55Congratulations, Susan.
02:56Future VP vibes. Legendary move.
02:59Everyone scrambled to claim it, tapping the link like crazy.
03:02Wow! Generous!
03:04Thanks, Ethan!
03:05Thanks, Ethan.
03:06Susan looked at her phone and smirked.
03:08At least you finally understand how things work.
03:11Keep quiet. Do your job.
03:13You'll have your slice.
03:14I nodded quickly with a flattering smile.
03:16Thanks, Susan.
03:18Here's the final handover list.
03:20All the tech details are in.
03:22Just sign here.
03:23I handed her the thick document.
03:25Overwhelmed by the joy of promotion,
03:27she signed her name without thinking twice.
03:29Don't drag me into petty stuff.
03:31I've got big decisions to make now.
03:33I stared at her signature.
03:34A ghost of a smile touched my lips.
03:36This wasn't a normal hand offer.
03:38It made Susan lowly responsible.
03:40Any crash, any bug, she'd take the fall.
03:43Susan's victory lasted less than two days.
03:47Trouble arrived.
03:49The client company sent an urgent email.
03:52They demanded an additional stress test,
03:54and they asked the project lead to demonstrate it.
03:57Susan stared at the screen, full of red error codes.
04:01Her eyes widened.
04:03The truth was simple.
04:05She didn't understand code at all.
04:08She didn't even know how to open the system terminal.
04:12Soon, she rushed to the corner desk where I now worked.
04:15Ethan, write an automatic demo script for me.
04:17Now!
04:18Her tone was still arrogant,
04:20acting like she didn't just humiliate me two days ago.
04:24I kept typing without looking up.
04:28I'd help if I could, Susan.
04:30But you stripped me of core access already.
04:33Guess I'm just the office errand guy now.
04:36Susan panicked and slammed her hand onto my keyboard.
04:38Cut the crap!
04:39I'll restore your permissions.
04:40If you can't handle this, you're out.
04:42My colleagues nearby turned to watch.
04:45They were waiting for me to embarrass myself.
04:48I pretended to tremble slightly.
04:50Please, don't fire me.
04:52I've got a mortgage and my parents to take care of.
04:55Seeing that her threat worked, Susan relaxed.
05:00She took two thick stacks of cash from her bag
05:03and tossed them onto my desk.
05:05Twenty grand.
05:06Write the script.
05:07It's yours.
05:09Mess it up.
05:11You're out.
05:12I stared at the money and swallowed.
05:17Then I pretended my hands were shaking.
05:20Okay.
05:21Thank you, Susan.
05:24I'll write it now.
05:26With the temporary permissions restored,
05:28I quickly wrote the demo script.
05:31Deep in the code,
05:33I hid a little surprise for her.
05:34An Easter egg that would trigger
05:37at exactly the right moment.
05:39Susan demonstrated the script successfully
05:41during the department meeting.
05:45The system ran smoothly on the big screen.
05:48The boss nodded repeatedly.
05:52Impressive, Susan.
05:54You're truly a genius.
05:56Susan beamed with pride as everyone praised her.
05:59After the meeting ended,
06:00after the meeting ended,
06:01she returned with a group of followers.
06:03They immediately took the $20,000 back from my desk.
06:08Then she brought people from the IT department.
06:12They wiped my computer.
06:15They wiped my computer.
06:17Ethan, it's not about trust,
06:20but company rules.
06:22We have to be careful.
06:27All backups and logs are deleted.
06:30This is the company's core secret.
06:32She stared at me as if I'd already outlived my usefulness.
06:35As for that money, I'll log it.
06:37Yours at the end of the year.
06:40Then she clicked away in her heels.
06:42Not a single glance back.
06:46I stared at the empty screen.
06:48Funny.
06:49I almost laughed.
06:50Go on.
06:51Delete it all.
06:52The cleaner, the better.
06:54Her last lifeline.
06:55She sealed her own fate.
06:58And now,
07:00not even God could save her.
07:04The day Susan received her million dollar bonus,
07:07she bought a red Porsche.
07:08She deliberately parked it
07:10right in front of the company entrance
07:11in the most visible spot she could find,
07:14making sure everyone saw it.
07:16Then she spent half an hour
07:18posing beside the car.
07:20Later, she posted the photos online.
07:22One showed the Porsche steering wheel.
07:24Another showed her Hermes bag.
07:28She even included a photo
07:30of the project's final approval page.
07:32Her caption read,
07:34Heavy is the crown,
07:36but someone has to wear it.
07:38Every late night was worth it.
07:40The comments filled up fast.
07:44Coworkers lined up to praise her
07:46like loyal lapdogs.
07:48When I saw the post,
07:49I was in the break room
07:51eating instant noodles.
07:52The whole place smelled like beef ramen.
07:54A co-worker nearby
07:56was touching up her makeup
07:57while talking loudly.
07:59Some people
08:00are just born to be employees.
08:03Look at Susan.
08:04She's a real queen.
08:06That's what a winner looks like.
08:09Another co-worker chuffed in.
08:12If you don't have the talent,
08:13don't blame others
08:14for taking the credit.
08:15Yeah?
08:17The corporate world
08:18is cutthroaty.
08:20If you lose,
08:22you're out.
08:23The moment things turned against me,
08:25everyone switched sides.
08:27The same people
08:28who used to slap my back,
08:29call me Ethan,
08:30my man,
08:31and mooch free lunches off me,
08:33now they were stepping all over me
08:35just to suck up to Susan.
08:36Right then,
08:37the boss's secretary
08:38rushed into the break room.
08:40She announced
08:40a major piece of news.
08:42Next Monday,
08:43the chairman from headquarters
08:45is coming for an inspection.
08:47He wants to see
08:48the Sky Peak Project's
08:50live performance data.
08:51The whole company
08:52buzzed with excitement.
08:54The chairman from headquarters
08:56was the real power.
08:58One word from him
08:59could determine the future
09:00of the entire branch.
09:02When Susan heard the news,
09:03her face flushed with excitement.
09:05She almost spilled
09:07the coffee in her hand.
09:08To prove how hands-on she was,
09:10she immediately refused
09:12any help from the tech team.
09:14Don't worry about it,
09:15Susan said with a confident smile.
09:16I've been driving
09:17this project from day one.
09:19No one understands it
09:20better than I do.
09:22I'll run the demo myself.
09:23She straightened her jacket,
09:25already savoring the moment.
09:28Let headquarters see
09:30what real leadership looks like.
09:32Later, she ran into me
09:33in the break room.
09:34She stopped and waved a hand
09:36in front of her nose
09:36as if something smelled bad.
09:38God, that cheap smell.
09:40she said with obvious disgust.
09:42Instant noodles again, Ethan?
09:43She glanced around the room
09:44with a smug smile.
09:46Take a good look.
09:47The project's doing
09:48just fine without you.
09:50At the end of the day,
09:51you're just a pair of hands.
09:54Completely replaceable.
09:56She looked down
09:56at my bowl of noodles
09:57with open contempt.
09:59I quietly slurped
10:00another mouthful.
10:01Then, I finished
10:03the soup completely.
10:04Not a drop left.
10:05I looked up
10:07and forced a humble smile.
10:08Susan, you're
10:09absolutely right.
10:10I'm just here to do
10:11the grunt work.
10:12You're the real queen.
10:15Hope your presentation
10:16next week goes smoothly.
10:17Wishing you all the success.
10:20And,
10:21maybe keep me in mind
10:22once in a while.
10:23Susan hotted
10:24and turned away.
10:26Glad you know your place.
10:28Her high heels
10:29clicked sharply
10:30on the floor.
10:31That night,
10:32my phone buzzed
10:33in the dark,
10:33the screen cutting
10:34through the quiet.
10:35It was a voice message
10:36from Susan.
10:37Her tone was sharp
10:39and commanding.
10:40Have a speech ready
10:42for me by tomorrow morning.
10:43Make sure it emphasizes
10:44my innovation.
10:45All the nights I stayed up
10:46solving problems.
10:47Skip the boring
10:48technical details.
10:49Make it sound impressive.
10:51High level.
10:51And if it's subpar,
10:54you'll be looking
10:55at your termination letter.
10:56Don't expect me
10:57to go easy.
10:57I listened,
10:58a faint smile tugging
11:00at the corner of my lip.
11:01Then I tapped the screen
11:03and replied
11:04with a single word,
11:05noted.
11:05The day before the inspection,
11:07just before the end
11:08of the work day,
11:09Susan appeared at my desk,
11:11flanked by the HR manager.
11:12She held a printed document
11:14in her hand.
11:15Ethan Carter,
11:16records show
11:16you've been slacking
11:17and dragging down the team.
11:19You've created
11:20a toxic atmosphere.
11:22She tossed
11:23a resignation agreement
11:24at me.
11:24The paper's edge
11:25scraped my cheek.
11:27Sign it.
11:28Now,
11:28then clear out.
11:29Your stuff's already packed.
11:31The office fell
11:32completely silent.
11:34No one dared
11:34to speak for me.
11:35I could even hear
11:36people breathing.
11:37I looked at Susan's
11:38twisted face.
11:39She practically
11:39radiated excitement.
11:40But I saw it clearly.
11:42She wanted me gone.
11:43Completely.
11:43Tomorrow was
11:44the chairman's inspection.
11:45She feared
11:46I'd speak out.
11:47Fear I'd steal
11:48the spotlight
11:48or reveal her
11:49as a fraud.
11:50She needed me out
11:52before tomorrow.
11:54Susan,
11:54do you really have
11:55to go this far?
11:56I just finished
11:57your speech yesterday.
11:58I picked up
11:59the agreement
11:59from the floor,
12:00my voice shaking.
12:01My eyes stung red.
12:03Susan crossed her arms,
12:04a cold sneer
12:05on her lips.
12:06Cut the act.
12:07I know exactly
12:08what you're thinking.
12:09You're a ticking time bomb.
12:10Sign it,
12:11or I call security
12:11and have you out.
12:13Don't make this messy.
12:14I took a deep breath.
12:16Then I picked up the pen
12:17and signed it
12:18without another word.
12:19Fine.
12:20I'll go.
12:21While I packed my things,
12:22I deliberately placed
12:23a black USB pad
12:24on top of the box.
12:26This has the final
12:28project files
12:28and the encryption keys.
12:30Everything's in there.
12:32Don't lose it.
12:34Susan snatched the drive,
12:36plugged it into her computer,
12:37and started scanning
12:38the folders.
12:39When she saw
12:40that all the files
12:41were intact,
12:42she let out
12:42a satisfied sigh.
12:44A triumphant smile
12:45spread across her face,
12:47thinking she had
12:48the upper hand.
12:49Good.
12:50At least you know
12:50your place.
12:51And don't let me see you
12:53in this industry again.
12:54I carried my box
12:56and walked toward
12:56the elevator.
12:57Everyone watched
12:58in silence.
12:59I probably looked
13:00pathetic from behind.
13:02When I passed
13:03Susan's desk,
13:04I suddenly stopped.
13:05She was busy
13:05directing people
13:06to test the presentation.
13:07The USB drive
13:08was connected
13:09to the conference room screen.
13:11Her PowerPoint slides
13:12filled the large display.
13:13She looked
13:14incredibly confident.
13:15I leaned closer
13:17and lowered my voice.
13:18Only the two of us
13:19could hear it.
13:20Susan,
13:20just a friendly reminder.
13:22The license
13:23for the core algorithm
13:25expires tonight
13:25at midnight.
13:27Make sure you renew it.
13:29Susan didn't even
13:30turn around.
13:30She rolled her eyes
13:32with complete contempt.
13:33Cut the tech scare
13:34actics.
13:34The project's done.
13:36Expiration date?
13:37Give me a break.
13:38Do you think I'm stupid?
13:39Trying to scam me?
13:40Get out.
13:41I'm already annoyed
13:42hearing your voice.
13:43I shrugged
13:44and said nothing more,
13:45stepping into the elevator.
13:46The cold wind
13:47hit my face
13:48the moment I walked
13:49out of the building.
13:50and yet
13:51I felt a rush
13:52of relief.
13:53Almost giddy.
13:54I pulled out my phone.
13:55A red countdown button
13:56glowed on the screen.
13:58The remote control
13:59for the Sky Peak
13:59trial system.
14:00I glanced back
14:01at the office.
14:02All lit up
14:03and oblivious.
14:04A slow smile
14:05spread across my face.
14:07Susan,
14:07since you wanted
14:08this project so badly,
14:10I'm about to give you
14:11a gift you'll never forget.
14:13I pressed the red button.
14:14Remote deactivation.
14:16A message blinked.
14:17Command sent.
14:18core modules
14:19will self-destruct
14:20in 12 hours.
14:21Tomorrow at 9 a.m.,
14:22the chairman
14:23would walk in.
14:24And so would Susan's career.
14:26Straight off a cliff.
14:28She loved stealing credit.
14:30Loved the spotlight.
14:31I'd make sure
14:31she never saw it again.
14:33Inspection day.
14:34A 15-foot red carpet
14:36rolled out
14:36in front of the company.
14:38Fresh flowers
14:38lined the entrance.
14:40Even the security guards
14:41were wearing
14:42brand new uniforms.
14:43Susan showed up
14:44in a borrowed
14:45designer gown.
14:46She even hired
14:48a personal makeup artist
14:49to follow her around.
14:51The scene looked
14:52less like a company inspection,
14:53more like the Oscars.
14:55She stood at the entrance,
14:56smiling brightly.
14:57She bent in half
14:58to open the CEO's
15:00car door herself.
15:01The CEO entered
15:03the conference room,
15:04flanked by executives.
15:06Susan strutted
15:07onto the stage
15:08in high heels,
15:09every step
15:09loud and deliberate.
15:10She launched
15:12into her presentation
15:12with all the drama
15:13of a Broadway show.
15:15And then she began
15:16telling the story
15:17of how she overcame
15:17every obstacle.
15:19For this project,
15:20I pulled three
15:21straight all-nighters.
15:22I even lost a chunk
15:24of hair from the stress.
15:26My boyfriend dumped me.
15:28And I was too busy
15:29to care.
15:29She blinked slowly,
15:31letting a couple
15:32of perfectly timed tears
15:33slide down.
15:34Dabbed them delicately
15:36with a tissue,
15:37careful not to smudge
15:38her makeup.
15:38Her voice quivered
15:40just enough to sell it,
15:41like a seasoned actress
15:42accepting an award.
15:43Yes, it was grueling,
15:45but we made it.
15:47But the moment
15:48this project was finished,
15:49I knew every sacrifice
15:51had been worth it.
15:52For this company,
15:54I would give
15:54everything I have.
15:55The Admin girls
15:56in the audience
15:57were already dabbing
15:58at their eyes.
15:59They clapped so hard,
16:00their palms flushed red.
16:02The CEO nodded
16:03again and again,
16:04clearly impressed.
16:05He leaned toward
16:06his secretary,
16:07voice low,
16:08but full of approval.
16:09Not many young people
16:11show this kind
16:11of drive anymore.
16:12She deserves recognition.
16:13That VP role,
16:15she's perfect for it.
16:17That was basically
16:17a public announcement.
16:19The VP spot was hers.
16:21Susan caught it
16:22and tried to keep
16:23her composure,
16:23but her smile
16:24kept creeping higher.
16:26But the client representative
16:27was a hardcore tech guy.
16:29Nice slides, Mrs. Susan.
16:30He pushed his glasses up
16:31and interrupted coldly.
16:32But we'd like to see
16:33a live demo
16:34on the real-time dashboard.
16:36Pretty words are cheap.
16:37Stable algorithms,
16:38that's what counts.
16:39Algorithms don't lie.
16:41Susan switched
16:41screens confidently.
16:42The laser point
16:44spun in her fingers,
16:45the red dot
16:46dancing across the display.
16:48No problem.
16:49Our system stability
16:50is top tier
16:51in the industry.
16:52It can handle
16:53any test.
16:54Please check it out.
16:55The system loaded
16:56flawlessly.
16:57The progress bar
16:58shot to 100%
16:59in seconds.
17:00Green indicators
17:01blinked across
17:02the dashboard
17:03like a heart.
17:03Susan turned toward
17:04the CEO
17:05with a confident,
17:05we've got this look.
17:06Her smug grin
17:07screamed victory
17:08and bonus checks.
17:09The charts on the screen
17:10erupted in motion,
17:11red and green lines
17:12twisting together
17:12like high-tech fireworks.
17:13She jabbed a finger
17:14at the screen,
17:15chest puffed out
17:16with pride.
17:17This is our proprietary
17:19AI engine.
17:20It automatically
17:21balances workloads
17:22and processes
17:23hundreds of millions
17:24of data points.
17:25Susan threw her arms wide,
17:27basking in the applause,
17:29flooding the room.
17:30Meanwhile,
17:30I sat across the street
17:32in a quiet cafe,
17:33watching the live feed
17:34on my phone.
17:35The corner of my mouth
17:36curled.
17:37I began counting.
17:39Three.
17:40Two.
17:41One.
17:42Ding.
17:43A massive red warning box
17:45suddenly erupted
17:46in the center of the screen.
17:47A shrickle alarm
17:48pierced the room,
17:50making everyone jump.
17:51Severe warning.
17:52Trial version expired.
17:54The entire room froze.
17:55Dead silence.
17:56The CEO's smile
17:57locked in place.
17:58The corner of his mouth
17:59tritched.
18:00His teacup hung mid-air
18:01while hot tea
18:02spilled onto his hand,
18:03but he didn't even
18:04notice.
18:04Susan froze for half a second.
18:06Then she panicked
18:07and slammed the close button.
18:10Oh,
18:11uh,
18:12must be some kind
18:13of antivirics false alarm.
18:14Nothing to worry
18:15about, everyone.
18:16Our IT department
18:17is always playing
18:17these little pranks.
18:19I'll make sure
18:20they get a talking to later.
18:21She kept talking,
18:22frantically clicking the mouse.
18:24Each click rang sharp
18:25and hollow
18:26across the silent room.
18:27Sweat beaded
18:28on her forehead,
18:29sliding down
18:29and streaking
18:30her flawless makeup.
18:31But the more she clicked,
18:32the worse it got.
18:33windows began popping up
18:35one after another,
18:36multiplying across the screen
18:37like a spreading virus.
18:39Within moments,
18:40the entire display
18:41was buried under alerts.
18:42Even her polished,
18:43perfectly timed presentation
18:45disappeared under the chaos.
18:46Then a second alert appeared.
18:48This one was far worse.
18:50A harsh red background.
18:51Bold black letters.
18:53No way to ignore it.
18:55System alert.
18:55unauthorized copy detected.
18:57Core code signature mismatch.
18:59Self-destruct sequence initiated.
19:01Susan completely lost it.
19:03The laser pointly slipped
19:04from her hand.
19:05It hit the floor
19:06and shattered into pieces.
19:08What is happening?
19:10Who touched my computer?
19:12Did someone hack the system?
19:13She tried force restarting
19:15the computer.
19:16When that didn't work,
19:17she crouched down
19:19and yanked the power cord
19:20from the wall.
19:21Plugged it back in.
19:22Her panic was plain to see.
19:24Every gesture frantic.
19:26Every breath sharp.
19:27But when the system came back,
19:29the familiar company logo
19:31was gone.
19:31In its place,
19:32a massive line of scrolling text
19:34dominated the screen.
19:36Bright red.
19:37Immense.
19:38Taunting her.
19:39Then,
19:40without warning,
19:41the conference room speakers
19:42crackled to life.
19:43And then a familiar voice
19:44blasted through the room.
19:46Susan.
19:46Max volume.
19:47It was that voice memo
19:48she'd sent me a few days ago.
19:50Now on an endless loop.
19:52I don't need to know
19:53how the code works.
19:54I just need it to
19:55work.
19:56Patch together
19:57whatever open source crap
19:58you can find.
19:59The boss doesn't get tech anyway.
20:01And the client?
20:02Easy to trill.
20:03As long as it runs,
20:04who cares?
20:04The leftover cash?
20:05That's ours.
20:06Everyone gets their cup?
20:08Don't be greedy.
20:09Her voice echoed again
20:10and again.
20:12Clear as day.
20:13Cold.
20:14Greedy.
20:15Arrogant.
20:16Just grab some
20:17open source crap.
20:18The boss doesn't understand
20:20a thing anyway.
20:21Susan's face went pale as paper.
20:24Her lips quivered.
20:25No sound escaping.
20:26She slumped against the podium.
20:28The CEO's expression darkened.
20:30Veins bulging across his forehead.
20:32The client slammed his folder
20:33onto the table.
20:34This is your idea of professionalism?
20:36What a joke.
20:37The room fell deathly silent.
20:40Only Susan's voice kept looping
20:42through the speakers.
20:43Over.
20:43And over.
20:44And over.
20:45This was her so-called
20:47sleepless dedication.
20:48This was her original algorithm.
20:50Every bit of her bragged about success
20:52had been shredded in an instant.
20:53And underneath
20:54was a pathetic,
20:55laughable,
20:56the queen of the project
20:57reduced to a joke.
20:59The big boss slammed his hand
21:00on the table and shot up.
21:02The solid wood desk
21:03boomed so hard
21:04the teacups tipped over.
21:06Scalding tea ran across the table.
21:08Nobody dared move.
21:10He pointed right in Susan's face.
21:11His finger was shaking from rage.
21:14Spit was flying.
21:15This is your original algorithm?
21:17This is what all those
21:18sleepless nights were for?
21:20Who the hell do you think you are?
21:22You think this company
21:23is some kind of joke?
21:25Do you take us all for fools?
21:27Who are you wonging out mess?
21:30Where were you thinking
21:31with this mess?
21:33Susan completely unraveled.
21:34Tears and snot
21:35started pouring down together.
21:36Her expensive makeup
21:37melted into a mess.
21:38She looked ridiculous,
21:39pathetic.
21:40She lunged with fury,
21:41her eyes wild,
21:42voice sharp and frantic,
21:43snapping at anyone in reach.
21:44Then she jabbed
21:45at the tech director,
21:46screaming,
21:46It's them!
21:47They're trying to ruin me!
21:49The tech team
21:50gave me the wrong version!
21:52They're jealous
21:52I was getting promoted!
21:53I'm being set up!
21:55Boss, you have to believe me!
21:57I've been loyal
21:58to this company!
21:59The tech director
21:59had clearly had enough.
22:00He stood up so fast
22:02his chair screeched
22:03across the floor.
22:04Then he set his laptop
22:04down on the table
22:05and pulled up
22:06the AppGate logs.
22:07Cold face,
22:09flat voice.
22:10Mrs. Susan,
22:10if you're accusing people,
22:11show some proof.
22:12Every code submission
22:13came from your account.
22:14IP traces lead
22:15straight to your office.
22:16You revoked
22:16everyone's edit access.
22:17We could only view files,
22:18couldn't change a single line.
22:19So no,
22:20we're not taking this fall.
22:21That one's all yours.
22:22The proof was airtight,
22:23solid, heavy.
22:24There was nowhere to run.
22:25Client rep let out
22:26a cold little laugh,
22:27then stood up
22:27and adjusted his suit jacket.
22:29Clearly your company
22:29has a serious integrity issue.
22:31His eyes were full of disgust.
22:32We're terminating the contract
22:33effective immediately.
22:34Legal action will follow.
22:35And yes,
22:35we'll make sure
22:36everyone in the industry knows.
22:37Then he turned
22:37and walked out with his team.
22:39Didn't look back one.
22:41The conference room door
22:42slammed so hard
22:44it shook the wall.
22:45The big boss
22:45was practically froming.
22:46He grabbed the ashtray
22:47and slammed it to the floor.
22:48Shards of glass
22:49scattered everywhere.
22:50Then he pointed at Susan,
22:51voice thundering.
22:52You just ruined this company.
22:53We're staring down
22:54massive penalties.
22:55You couldn't pay this back
22:56if we sold you piece by piece.
22:57Do you even understand
22:58what you've done?
22:59Can you handle it?
22:59Susan broke down,
23:01full ugly sobbing.
23:02Then suddenly,
23:03something flashed in her eyes.
23:05Mean,
23:05desperate,
23:06vicious,
23:07like she just found
23:07her last life raft.
23:09It was Ethan.
23:10Ethan Carter set me up.
23:11He wrote the code.
23:12He sabotaged it.
23:13I'm suing him.
23:14He did it.
23:15Her hands shook
23:15as she pulled out her phone.
23:17She almost hit the wrong button.
23:18Then she called me
23:19and turned on speaker.
23:20She wanted me to take the fall.
23:22The call connected.
23:23My lazy voice
23:24filled the whole room,
23:25still rough from sleep.
23:27You could even hear me
23:28crunching chips.
23:29Hello?
23:29Ethan Carter,
23:30you bastard!
23:31Did you rig the code?
23:32You're dead!
23:33Susan shrieked into the phone.
23:34Her voice was sharp enough
23:35to cut glass.
23:36I let out a soft chuckle,
23:38calm as a Sunday morning.
23:39Careful, Mrs. Susan.
23:40You can't just throw
23:41accusations around.
23:42Remember,
23:42I've already resigned.
23:44I'm free now.
23:45And the handoff papers,
23:46they're crystal clear.
23:47The entire project,
23:48transferred to you.
23:48You reviewed the code,
23:50you approved it,
23:50you signed off on everything.
23:51All of it.
23:52Fast.
23:52Didn't even glance at it.
23:53So,
23:54what's the tantrum about?
23:55Trying to back out now?
23:56Susan was screaming
23:56so hard into the phone
23:58her voice cracked.
23:59It was ear penning.
24:00A high-pitched shriek
24:01that made your teeth hurt.
24:02Painful.
24:03Desperate.
24:04Insane.
24:05You set me up!
24:06You set me up with this code!
24:07I'm calling the police!
24:09I'll have you arrested!
24:10I'll make sure you rot in prison!
24:12I spoke into the phone
24:13like I had all day.
24:14Clear.
24:15Steady.
24:16Slow.
24:17Like it wasn't even my problem.
24:18Mrs. Susan,
24:20enough.
24:20Stop playing innocent.
24:21At this rate,
24:23the academy owes you an award.
24:24You signed off on the project.
24:26You certified the code
24:27was all original.
24:28Weren't you claiming
24:29the entire core framework
24:30was yours?
24:31So why is it suddenly mine?
24:34Doesn't add up, does it?
24:35The big boss snatched the phone
24:37right out of her hand.
24:38Ethan!
24:38What do you know?
24:39Tell me!
24:40Don't play games with me
24:41or I'll sue you too!
24:42I paused on purpose.
24:43Took a sip of water.
24:45Cleared my throat.
24:46Then I answered
24:47in the most helpful tone possible.
24:49Boss,
24:49you might want to have audit
24:50check Susan's expense claims
24:51from last week.
24:52That's where the real evidence is.
24:54Finance will spot it in minutes.
24:56As for that original algorithm,
24:58the core was built
24:58on my trial version.
25:00Otherwise,
25:01how do you think it knew
25:01exactly when to play
25:03Susan's voice memo?
25:04But Susan seems to have forgotten
25:05one small detail.
25:06The company approved
25:07$50,000 for licensed software.
25:09She kept the money
25:09and told me to build it for free.
25:11Then she filed a reimbursement
25:12using a fake invoice
25:13from some shady shop
25:14called CodePass Solutions.
25:16They specialize in
25:17creative paperwork.
25:18So instead of buying the license,
25:19she used my trial build
25:20all for $50,000.
25:21And here's the best part.
25:23She claimed $50,000.
25:24The fake invoice cost her $500,000.
25:25The other $49,500?
25:27Straight into her own pocket.
25:28That landed in the room
25:29like a bomb.
25:30A real one.
25:31The air went still.
25:32No one breathed.
25:33So the Sky Peak project
25:35wasn't just stolen credit.
25:36It was junk from the start.
25:38A rigged build
25:39a fraud.
25:40And on top of that
25:42a crime.
25:43Whispers exploded
25:44across the room.
25:45Shock.
25:46Disgust.
25:47Pure disbelief.
25:49Oh my God.
25:49She used $500
25:51knockoff code
25:52for the demo?
25:52That's insane.
25:53She stole $50,000 too?
25:55She really threw it
25:56all away for money.
25:57The big boss's face
25:59turned purple.
25:59Then he hurled the phone
26:01straight at the floor.
26:02It was the newest model too.
26:03The screen shattered instantly.
26:05That crack rang out
26:07like a funeral bell
26:08for Susan.
26:08Stop her.
26:09Don't let her leave.
26:10Security, get in here now.
26:12Audit is going through everything.
26:13I want every dollar traced.
26:14Lock the exits.
26:15Nobody leaves this building.
26:16The door burst open.
26:18Two security guards rushed in.
26:19One grabbed Susan's left arm.
26:21The other seized her right arm.
26:23She struggled and kicked.
26:24But they held her tight
26:26and dragged her away.
26:27Her designer gown twisted
26:28and slipped off one shoulder.
26:30A thin strap underneath snapped.
26:32Red scratch marks
26:33appeared on her skin.
26:34Her hair was messy.
26:36Strands sticking to her sweaty face.
26:38Her makeup had smeared
26:39across her cheeks.
26:40Black eyeliner ran under her eyes.
26:42She looked wild.
26:44Completely out of control.
26:46Let me go!
26:47She screamed,
26:48thrashing in their grip.
26:50I'm the VP.
26:51You can't touch me.
26:51I have shares in this company.
26:53I built this place.
26:55Boss, I'm innocent.
26:57Ethan set me up.
26:58He's lying.
26:58He's chilling.
27:01Her voice cracked
27:02into a hysterical shriek.
27:04But no one believed
27:04a word anymore.
27:06People weren't shocked.
27:07They were entertained.
27:08Phones started coming out
27:09across the room.
27:10One person began recording.
27:12Then another.
27:13Someone snapped photos.
27:14Others were already typing fast,
27:16sending everything straight
27:17into the company group chats.
27:19Camera flashes kept going off.
27:21Every second of her meltdown
27:22was being saved.
27:23The captions spreading
27:24through the chats
27:25all sounded the same.
27:26Karma finally showed up.
27:29Greed always catches up with you.
27:31Play stupid games.
27:32Win stupid prizes.
27:34The audit came back
27:35right there on the spot.
27:36Fast as hell, too.
27:37In under 30 minutes,
27:38they tore her whole life open.
27:39Not just the project.
27:40Everything.
27:41They even dug up petty stuff
27:42from the past,
27:43like stealing company supplies.
27:44Susan hadn't just for months,
27:45maybe longer.
27:46Fake reimbursements.
27:47Fake claims.
27:47Fake ride receipts.
27:48The big boss stared
27:49at the audit report.
27:50His hand trembled.
27:52Not fear.
27:53pure rage.
27:55His jaw was clenched
27:56so tight,
27:57the muscles in his face
27:58twickled.
27:58Then Legal stepped in.
28:00The head of Legal
28:01pulled out the same
28:02project liability form.
28:03He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses
28:05and spoke in a calm, icy voice.
28:07Under this agreement,
28:07Susan is personally liable
28:08for all financial losses
28:09caused by the project.
28:11This is your signature.
28:12You acknowledged
28:12full responsibility.
28:13That includes client penalties,
28:15reputational damage,
28:16and development costs.
28:18Total liability,
28:19$5 million.
28:20If payment cannot be made,
28:21the company will move
28:22to freeze your assets.
28:23And we will proceed
28:24with criminal charges.
28:25At that point,
28:26you may spend the rest
28:26of your life
28:27paying off this debt.
28:28$5 million.
28:29The number hit Susan
28:30like a hammer.
28:31Her eyes rolled back
28:32and her knees gave out.
28:33She collapsed onto the floor
28:34limp and stunned.
28:35That brand new Porsche,
28:36that Hermes bag,
28:37just like that,
28:38they turned into collateral.
28:39Too bad.
28:40The car was already used,
28:41the bag barely worth anything.
28:42Put together,
28:43they wouldn't even cover
28:44the interest.
28:44$5 million was a mountain
28:46she could never climb.
28:47Then she started crawling,
28:48right across the floor,
28:49straight to the boss's feet.
28:50She grabbed his leg
28:51and begged.
28:51Tears, snot,
28:52smeared makeup,
28:53everything rubbed
28:54onto his tailored trousers.
28:55It was humiliating,
28:56disgusting.
28:56I was wrong.
28:57Boss, please,
28:58just give me another chance.
28:59I'll fix it, I swear.
29:00I'll pay everything back.
29:01I'll do whatever you want.
29:02I'll work day and night.
29:03Please don't call the police.
29:04My life will be ruined.
29:06I can't go to jail.
29:07I still have my whole life
29:08ahead of me.
29:08Please, boss, please.
29:10He glanced at the security guides.
29:12Get her out of my sight.
29:13Then the siren started,
29:14down below.
29:15Red and blue lights
29:16flashed through the windows,
29:17cutting through the middle
29:18of the day.
29:18The police came in,
29:19and for suspected embezzlement
29:20and commercial fraud,
29:21they cuffed her.
29:22That sharp little click,
29:23God, that sound was beautiful,
29:24like the lightener eyes
29:25finally died.
29:26Gone.
29:26All that was left was fear.
29:28Real fear.
29:28As the former Corps engineer,
29:30I got a personal call
29:31from the boss.
29:32He wanted me back
29:33to assist with the investigation.
29:34When I walked into the office again,
29:36it was like I owned the place.
29:38Full-on hero treatment.
29:39The receptionist practically leaped
29:41to press the elevator button
29:43before I even reached it.
29:44Her smile was so bright,
29:45so forced.
29:46it could have hurt your eyes.
29:48Mr. Carter.
29:49Cower workers passing by
29:50started calling me Mr. Carter.
29:52The big boss shook my hand himself.
29:53Face full of regret.
29:54He even tried to pour me tea.
29:56His hand was shaking so bad
29:57it spilled over the cup.
29:58Ethan, I was blind you.
29:59You're the reason this company
30:00is still standing.
30:01You took the hit.
30:01Got humiliated for us all.
30:03I owe you big time.
30:04Susan's office cleared out.
30:05It's yours now.
30:06If you need anything added,
30:07just let me know.
30:08Double salary,
30:09full stock options,
30:10whatever you want.
30:10And if you come back,
30:11you run the tech division
30:12fully in charge.
30:13From now on,
30:14nobody touches you.
30:15Not a single person.
30:16I looked out the window
30:16at Susan being led
30:17into the squad car.
30:18She turned back once.
30:19Just once.
30:20Her eyes were full of regret
30:21and jealousy.
30:22Her fake lashes
30:22were hanging off
30:23from all the crying.
30:24I raised a hand
30:24and gave her a little wave.
30:25A tiny smile touched my mouth.
30:27No pity.
30:27Not even a drop.
30:28You did this to yourself.
30:29Hope you enjoy life behind bars.
30:31Susan's sentence
30:32ripped through the industry.
30:33Within days,
30:34she was a punchline.
30:35She became the cautionary tale
30:37they used to scare new hires.
30:39Her name was toxic.
30:40Her career died in public.
30:42That Sky Peak project
30:43she kept brasking about.
30:44It became a joke.
30:45A disaster people mocked
30:47over drinks after work.
30:48I stepped into the wreckage
30:50and rebuilt the system
30:51from my original code
30:52in 72 hours.
30:53The stress test?
30:54I didn't just pass.
30:56I set a new record.
30:57Watching that broken system
30:58come back to life
30:59line by line,
31:00that feeling beat anything.
31:02Pure control.
31:03The client came back,
31:05doubled the budget,
31:06and asked me
31:06to take over the team
31:07for good.
31:08Headquarters even tried
31:09to poach me.
31:10And those cowards
31:11who used to stab me
31:12in the back,
31:13now they treat me
31:14like their boss.
31:16Every morning,
31:17somebody left coffee
31:18on my desk.
31:20They didn't know
31:20what I liked.
31:23They just knew better
31:24than to cross me.
31:26Mr. Carter,
31:27your iced America Mico.
31:28Light ice.
31:30No sugar.
31:31I walked two blocks
31:32to get your favorite.
31:33Here you go.
31:34Mr. Carter,
31:35we had your office redone.
31:36Everything set up
31:37the way you wanted.
31:40I looked at their faces,
31:42the same vultures,
31:43now smiling like
31:44they'd always been
31:45on my side.
31:45It was pathetic.
31:47Most people don't care
31:48who was right.
31:49They care who won.
31:51I sat in the bright
31:52private office.
31:54Wide windows.
31:55Clean light.
31:56And yes,
31:56I was sitting in Susan's
31:57old ergonomic chair.
31:58Real leather, too.
31:59I had to admit,
32:00it felt damn nice.
32:02Then I locked the new
32:03project responsibility form
32:04inside the safe.
32:05This time,
32:05there was only one name
32:06on it.
32:07Mine.
32:07Every letter on that page
32:08meant power
32:09that nobody could steal
32:10from me again.
32:11Susan's parents came
32:12to the company once.
32:13No, no, no, no, no, no.
32:14They made a scene,
32:15crying, screaming,
32:16even dropping to the floor,
32:17begging me to show mercy.
32:19It was ugly.
32:20Ethan, please,
32:22go easy on her.
32:24Susan made a mistake.
32:25She knows it,
32:26and she's still got
32:26her whole life ahead of her.
32:28We'll do anything
32:28to make a money.
32:29I'm begging you, Ethan.
32:30I'm begging you, man.
32:31For our sake,
32:32show some mercy.
32:35The crowd closed in,
32:36hungry for a scene.
32:40I called security.
32:41One finger to the door,
32:43show's over.
32:44Get them out of here.
32:45This is an office,
32:45not a goddamn circus.
32:47If they cause one more problem,
32:48call the cops
32:48and press charges.
32:49I want them handled.
32:50Late apologies means nothing.
32:51Later,
32:52I found that Burke and Susan
32:53left in the corner.
32:54One look and I knew
32:55it was a total knockoff.
32:56A cheap flea market recheck
32:58with loose threads
32:59screaming for help.
33:00Fifty bucks, max.
33:02I picked up the bag,
33:03tossed it straight into the trash
33:04and didn't look back.
33:05I watched the city light up,
33:06coffee in hand.
33:08No more noise.
33:09Just peace.
33:11Look,
33:12work doesn't give a damn
33:12about your feelings
33:13and it definitely doesn't
33:14reward a thief.
33:15You fake it,
33:17Neef,
33:17you pay for it.
33:19End of story.
33:20Back to my screen.
33:21The code just
33:22clicked.
33:24My logic,
33:25my syntax,
33:26my world.
33:27Nobody can touch this.
33:29Nobody can steal this.
33:30This is where I belong.
33:33and I own every line of it.
33:35That should have been
33:36the end of it.
33:36It wasn't.
33:37Three weeks after I took over
33:38Sky Peak,
33:39they made their next move.
33:39I'm leading the team
33:40on a core algorithm overhaul.
33:42Then,
33:42Liam let out this shout.
33:44Cut right through the silence.
33:44Mr. Carter,
33:45we've got a problem.
33:46Ping is hitting 3,000 mems.
33:47It's blowing past our thresholds.
33:48The patterns are wrong.
33:49Looks like a malicious flood.
33:50Someone's inside the system.
33:52I was up in a second.
33:53One look at his screen
33:54told me everything.
33:55The server had flatlined.
33:57Latency was off the charts.
33:58Pull the lock.
33:59Find the source.
34:00Liam's fingers flew.
34:01Then he froze.
34:02Mr. Carter,
34:03the logs are gone.
34:05Wiped clean.
34:06They masked the IP
34:07behind a dozen layers.
34:08We've got nothing.
34:09Marcus,
34:09from Infrastructure Froud.
34:11This wasn't an outside job.
34:12No chance.
34:13Whoever did this
34:14had core access
34:15and they wiped the logs clean.
34:16No trace.
34:17This is internal.
34:18Has to be.
34:19They know our architecture
34:20inside out.
34:20Either someone technical
34:21or upper management.
34:23I almost laughed.
34:24It was obvious.
34:25I knew it wasn't over.
34:26Not when Susan fell.
34:28She had cover.
34:29High level cover.
34:30Now that I've taken her down,
34:31I'm a target.
34:32Break the code.
34:33Frame the lead.
34:33Save themselves.
34:34That's the play.
34:35Take a breath, everyone.
34:36We're not slipping.
34:37Stay focused.
34:38Stay on track.
34:39And we finish on time.
34:40Liam, take two seniors
34:41and spin up the backup cluster.
34:42I want every bit of project data
34:43encrypted and migrated over immediately.
34:45Switch the team to offlane dev mode
34:47and whatever happens,
34:47next week's sprint stays on track.
34:49Marcus, you're on the audit.
34:50I want to deep dive into
34:51every permit record
34:52from the last seven days.
34:53Start with management.
34:54I don't care how minor it is.
34:55If it blinks, I want it flagged.
34:56And turn on my shadow system.
34:58Full activation.
34:59It sits outside the company's
35:00main monitoring network.
35:01So even if they scrub the official logs,
35:02they can't touch this one.
35:03I'd built a shadow system weeks before.
35:04Off network.
35:05Hidden.
35:06Just me and an old friend
35:07from Secretary Ternkity.
35:08Seven days of work.
35:08Nobody knew it existed.
35:10I built it for exactly this moment.
35:11The next few days, brutal.
35:13They tried to hack me.
35:15Failed.
35:16I'm backed up three ways to Sunday.
35:17Then the gossip started.
35:19I was the office executioner.
35:21The snake.
35:22Then, the kill shot.
35:23A fake report sent to our biggest client.
35:25A total frame job.
35:26They wanted to bury me,
35:28but they left a trail.
35:29It all led back to one man.
35:31Victor Scho, senior VP.
35:32Perfectly tailored.
35:33Perfectly calm.
35:34The real monster behind the curtain.
35:36Around the office,
35:37everyone knew he was in Susan's camp.
35:39Susan didn't see Sky Peak by chance.
35:41She didn't make the promotion shortlist
35:43on her own.
35:44Every move was guided by Victor.
35:46He set it all up.
35:47Marcus told me more.
35:48Off the record.
35:49Victor was buried deep in the company.
35:51Family ties to several execs at headquarters.
35:54Protected from above.
35:56Untouchable.
35:56Or so he thought.
35:58And apparently,
35:58he'd been padding budgets for years.
36:00Inflating costs.
36:02Pocketing the difference.
36:03Project after project.
36:05After Susan fell,
36:06he had two problems.
36:07One,
36:08he was terrified her fraud trail
36:09would lead straight to him.
36:11Two,
36:12he was even more terrified
36:13I'd find proof
36:14while cleaning up the project.
36:15So he decided to move first.
36:17take me out
36:18before I could take him down.
36:20That afternoon,
36:20I was in a meeting
36:21with the client's tech team.
36:22We were discussing
36:23the next optimization phase.
36:24Normal room,
36:25agenda,
36:26tone.
36:26Halfway through,
36:27their technical lead,
36:28Mr. Smith,
36:28looked down at his phone
36:29and froze.
36:30Mr. Carter,
36:31is your project compromised?
36:32The room went still.
36:34Someone just sent me a video.
36:35It shows background code
36:36from the sky peak.
36:37There's a full breakdown attached.
36:39They're claiming a serious logic flaw.
36:41User data exposure,
36:42potential system collapse.
36:45Every eye in that room hit me.
36:47At once.
36:48Then the others checked their phones too.
36:49Same message,
36:50video,
36:51and anonymous account.
36:52I leaned in.
36:53There it was.
36:54The code was real.
36:55The panic was fake.
36:56They dug up an old bug
36:57I'd killed months ago
36:57and dressed it up like a disaster.
36:59Classic hit piece.
37:00Mr. Smith,
37:01that's a smear job.
37:02Please don't let it bait you.
37:03That issue was fixed
37:04three months before delivery.
37:05We have the test history,
37:07the patch records,
37:07and an independent security audit
37:09to prove it.
37:10I set my laptop on the table,
37:13unlocked it,
37:13connected to the backup cluster.
37:15I can show you right now.
37:17Then I did.
37:17No stalling,
37:18no slides,
37:19no excuses.
37:19I walked them through
37:20the current security stack.
37:21Encrypted data transfer,
37:22layered permission controls,
37:23anomaly blocking,
37:24real-time risk monitoring,
37:25every layer,
37:25every gate,
37:26every response flow.
37:27Then I ran multiple attack simulations.
37:28The system reacted instantly,
37:29blocked everything,
37:30recovered cleanly.
37:31By the end,
37:31the tension in the room had changed.
37:33Mr. Smith nodded slowly.
37:35Mr. Carter,
37:35I have full confidence in your expertise,
37:37and the demo was strong,
37:38but rumors like these
37:39can do real damage
37:40to a project's credibility.
37:41I need you to find out
37:42where this is coming from.
37:42We can't keep answering
37:43for this in front of the board.
37:44You'll have an answer soon,
37:45I promised.
37:46The meeting ended.
37:47I went straight back to my office.
37:48I pulled the logs
37:49from my shadow system.
37:50There it was,
37:51clear as day.
37:52An internal account
37:53had accessed the legacy server
37:54during the meeting,
37:55pulled old Skypey code,
37:56grabbed test footage
37:57from before the bug was fixed,
37:58edited it together,
37:58and sent it to the client's
37:59entire tech team
38:00through an anonymous account.
38:04The permissions
38:04were trampered with.
38:06An internal account
38:07had accessed
38:08the legacy server
38:09during the meeting.
38:12We've locked onto
38:13the ghost's trail.
38:16If I moved too soon,
38:17he'd wipe everything.
38:18Every trail,
38:19every name,
38:20every link to Susan.
38:21I needed one clean shot.
38:23One he couldn't
38:24talk his way out of.
38:25A week later,
38:26the company held its flew in
38:27from head Quadigy meeting,
38:28including Victor's biggest shield,
38:30executive VP Daniel Brooks.
38:31Victor was set to present
38:32the company's flagship projects.
38:34And of course,
38:35the sky peak
38:35was the crown jewel.
38:37He came ready.
38:38Oh, polished deck,
38:39big graphics,
38:40glossy metrics.
38:41He even invited
38:42a few client representatives
38:43to sit in.
38:44It was obvious
38:45what he wanted.
38:46He was building momentum,
38:47positioning himself
38:48to replace
38:48the soon-to-retire
38:49general manager.
38:50They packed
38:50the biggest room
38:51in the building,
38:52executives up front,
38:53department heads lined up
38:55on both sides.
38:56Victor thought
38:56he was walking
38:57into a coronation.
38:58He was walking
38:58into an execution.
39:00Then Victor walked in.
39:02Custom suit,
39:03slicked back hair,
39:04luxury watch
39:05catching the light.
39:06He looked smug enough
39:07to choke on it.
39:09He stepped to the front,
39:11picked up the mic,
39:12and smiled like
39:13he already owned
39:14the building.
39:15Victor got up there
39:15and did what men
39:16like him do best,
39:17take credit for work
39:18they never touched.
39:20According to him,
39:21sky peak was his win,
39:22his vision,
39:23his leadership,
39:24his sacrifice.
39:25He didn't mention
39:26Susan's scandal.
39:27He didn't mention
39:28who actually saved
39:29the project,
39:30me.
39:30And people were buying it,
39:32at least some of them.
39:33A few executives
39:34nodded along.
39:35Daniel even smiled,
39:36chimed in once or twice,
39:37looked almost impressed.
39:39Victor saw it
39:39and pushed harder.
39:40His tone shifted.
39:42Suddenly,
39:42it was all about
39:43his critical role
39:44in the company's future,
39:45about the need
39:46for stable leadership
39:47moving forward.
39:49Meaning?
39:50He wanted the top seat.
39:52That was my cue.
39:53I slowly raised my hand.
39:55Victor,
39:57I've got a few questions.
39:58He blinked.
39:59He hadn't expected me
40:00to swing in public.
40:01A crease formed
40:02on his forehead.
40:03His smile thinned.
40:05Of course,
40:05Ethan,
40:06but let's keep
40:07this professional.
40:08Strictly about the project.
40:09No time wasting.
40:10I stood up.
40:12Oh,
40:12it's professional,
40:13all right.
40:13It's about the project,
40:15the company,
40:16and exactly what's left
40:17of your reputation.
40:18I opened my laptop,
40:19hooked it to the projector.
40:21Then the big screen lit up.
40:23Victor,
40:23let's talk facts.
40:24One week ago,
40:25the computer in this office
40:26hit our legacy server.
40:28You pulled the Sky Peak code,
40:30downloaded archived test footage,
40:32and sent the whole package
40:33to our client
40:33via an anonymous account.
40:35The room exploded.
40:36On the screen,
40:37everything was laid out.
40:38IP address,
40:40login time,
40:40activity trail,
40:41email path,
40:42file transfer progress,
40:43time stamps.
40:44Every head turned towards Victor.
40:46You could have heard
40:47a pin hit the floor.
40:48His face went white.
40:50Victor,
40:50let's talk facts.
40:51One week ago,
40:52the computer in this office
40:53hit our legacy server.
40:55You pulled the Sky Peak code,
40:57downloaded archived test footage,
40:59and sent the whole package
41:00to our client
41:00via an anonymous account.
41:02The room exploded.
41:04Sweat beaded across his forehead.
41:05That's impossible.
41:06You're setting me up.
41:07Ethan,
41:08did you forge this?
41:09That system was private.
41:10You probably cooked the books.
41:11I let out a cold laugh.
41:13Setting you up?
41:14Please.
41:15You're doing a fine job
41:16of that yourself.
41:17Let's talk tech.
41:18Victor's lips trembled.
41:19He tried to speak.
41:20Nothing came out whole.
41:21The murmurs in the room
41:22grew louder.
41:23Much louder.
41:24The executives from headquarters
41:25were no longer smiling.
41:27Daniel's face had hardened,
41:28but I wasn't done.
41:29Also,
41:30I said,
41:30clicking to the next file,
41:31can you explain this reimbursement?
41:33A new image filled the screen.
41:34Expense claim details.
41:36$50,000.
41:37Filed as technical consulting.
41:39But the payer
41:39is the same fake storefront
41:41Susan used to issue
41:42fraudulent invoices.
41:43A little online shop
41:44called Code Pass Supplygents.
41:46The date sat there.
41:47Clean and ugly.
41:48And this payment
41:49was submitted
41:50the same week
41:50Susan was using
41:51fake invoices
41:52to Cyple Company
41:52procurement money.
41:53The whole room
41:54sucked in air.
41:55Victor panicked.
41:56That's a misunderstanding.
41:58I hired them
41:58to organize
41:59some technical materials.
42:00I had no idea
42:01Susan used them too.
42:02That's a coincidence.
42:03I reached into my folder,
42:04pulled out a thick stack
42:05of documents,
42:06slowly unfolded them.
42:07Coincidence?
42:08I said,
42:09then this should be interesting.
42:10The audit team
42:11had helped me quietly.
42:12A friend in internal audit
42:13spent three days
42:13tracing the money,
42:14starting from Susan's accounts,
42:16following every crack,
42:17every pass-through shell,
42:18every hidden transfer.
42:19I projected the funds flowchart
42:21onto the giant screen.
42:22Colored lines
42:22connected account to account.
42:24Part of the money
42:25Susan stole
42:25from inflated project budgets
42:27didn't disappear.
42:28It moved through
42:29third-party accounts
42:30and ended up
42:30in your personal account.
42:32I let that hang.
42:33Victor,
42:34would you like to explain that?
42:35Now the picture was obvious.
42:36Susan had been his pawn,
42:37used across multiple projects,
42:39inflate the costs,
42:40pull the funds,
42:41split the money.
42:41The skypeak
42:42was just one slide
42:43and it's kept stacking.
42:43Server activity,
42:44VPN logs,
42:45reimbursement records,
42:47money transfers.
42:48Every file was a blade
42:49and every blade
42:49went in deep.
42:50The executives' faces
42:51got darker
42:52with every click.
42:53Daniel looked furious.
42:54Then he slammed
42:55a hand on the table.
42:57Victor,
42:59you will explain this
43:00right now.
43:01Victor started rambling,
43:03tripping over his own lies.
43:05He denied everything,
43:06said the records were fake.
43:08Then,
43:08right on cue,
43:10he blamed Susan.
43:11It was pathetic.
43:13It made him look guiltious.
43:14The client reps he had invited
43:16saw exactly what we all saw.
43:18Disgust.
43:19That's what crossed their faces.
43:20One by one,
43:21they got up quietly
43:22and walked out.
43:23Nobody wanted to be tied
43:24to a man who sabotaged
43:26his own company
43:26and smeared his own people.
43:27I looked at the room,
43:28then at Victor.
43:29Actually,
43:30I said,
43:30I saved one last surprise.
43:32I pressed the remote.
43:34An audio file began to play.
43:35The room froze.
43:36This recording came
43:37from my shadow system.
43:38A few days earlier,
43:40Victor had assumed
43:41his office was empty.
43:42It wasn't.
43:43Not really.
43:44That Ethan guy is a problem.
43:46We need him gone.
43:47For good.
43:48Yes, sir.
43:49A second voice answered.
43:50One of his loyal people.
43:52Sky Peak is too valuable.
43:54He doesn't get to keep it.
43:55Find people.
43:56Start the whispers.
43:57Tell them he's a fraud.
43:58Say he stole the code.
43:59Say he's never built
44:00a damn thing on his own.
44:01I want his name ruined.
44:03The room stayed silent.
44:04Then the next line hit.
44:06And make sure Susan
44:07keeps her mouth shut in there.
44:08I'll find a way
44:09to reduce her sentence later.
44:10And her family will get paid.
44:11Victor's voice sounded smug.
44:13Then the last blow landed.
44:14Once Ethan's gone,
44:15the Sky Peak credit is ours.
44:16And when I take
44:17the general manager's seat,
44:18you'll get your cut.
44:19The recording ended.
44:20Dead silence.
44:21Victor collapsed into his chair.
44:23His face looked drained of blood.
44:24His whole body was shaking.
44:26Fear was all over him.
44:27Dan you.
44:28It was stood up.
44:29His voice was ice.
44:30Victor, you're suspended.
44:31Effective right now.
44:32Legal's taking over.
44:33Every record, every dollar,
44:35every message,
44:35we're pulling all of it.
44:36You're done here.
44:37Several security guards
44:38came in at once.
44:39They moved towards Victor.
44:41He snapped.
44:42He fought them.
44:44Twisted.
44:45Shouted like a trapped animal.
44:46I'm senior management.
44:47You can't do this.
44:49Then he turned to Daniel.
44:50Daniel, please, we're family.
44:52Just give me one more chance.
44:53I know I messed up.
44:54Daniel looked away
44:55like he couldn't stand the sight.
44:56Don't call me family like you.
44:57I'm nothing like you.
44:58You damaged this company.
44:59crossed every professional line.
45:01And you will face the consequences.
45:04Victor kept screaming
45:05as they dragged him out,
45:06begging one second,
45:07threatening the next.
45:09Nobody pitied him.
45:11Just like Susan,
45:13his polished image
45:14collapsed in real time.
45:15All that was left
45:16was the rot underneath.
45:17After the meeting,
45:18the executives from headquarters
45:20asked me to stay behind.
45:21Daniel walked over,
45:22set a hand on my shoulder.
45:24His tone had changed completely.
45:25Ethan,
45:26your technical work
45:27is outstanding.
45:28But even more than that,
45:30you kept your integrity,
45:31stayed sharp,
45:32and when it mattered,
45:33you had the courage
45:33to expose the truth.
45:35Without you,
45:35Victor's scheme
45:36would have spread further.
45:37This company's reputation
45:38would have taken a hit,
45:39and we might have lost
45:39Sky Peak for good.
45:40I was just doing my job.
45:42If the company went down,
45:43I was going down with it.
45:47He held my gaze
45:48for a long moment.
45:50Then he said,
45:51Sky Peak is yours,
45:52completely.
45:53From this moment on,
45:54you have final say
45:55on all technical decisions,
45:56resources,
45:57staffing,
45:57budget.
45:58Whatever you need,
45:59you'll have it.
46:00I want you to make this project
46:01the industry benchmark,
46:02and then I want that same benchmark
46:03across the entire
46:04engineering division.
46:05Then he made it official,
46:06on the spot.
46:06My pay doubled.
46:08I got an extra 5% in equity,
46:10and Susan's private office
46:11was reassigned to me permanently
46:13with a full equipment upgrade.
46:14The months after that
46:16were a blur of work.
46:17I threw myself into the project.
46:19My team crushed
46:20one technical wall
46:21after another.
46:22Every major issue
46:22got solved.
46:24The system got stronger.
46:25We closed
46:25every possible vulnerability,
46:27then built new products
46:28on top of the project's
46:29core engine.
46:30And to wipe out
46:30the last of the client's doubts,
46:32I invited an independent
46:33security firm
46:33to audit the entire platform,
46:35voluntarily.
46:36Then I published the report
46:37on the company website.
46:38That move changed everything.
46:40Clients trusted us
46:40more than before.
46:41Major players
46:42across multiple industries
46:43started reaching out,
46:44wanting in.
46:45The sky peak exploded.
46:46It brought in huge revenue.
46:48It rebuilt the company's reputation,
46:50and the stock jumped 30%.
46:52Six months later,
46:53the project won
46:53the top innovation award
46:54in the industry
46:55and I was named
46:56technical leader of my year.
46:57At the award ceremony,
46:58I stepped onto the stage
46:59as the project lead.
47:00Flashes everywhere,
47:01the room glowing,
47:02but I was thinking
47:03about the road behind me,
47:04my work stolen,
47:05my name dragged down
47:06and now a trophy in my hand.
47:07It had been brutal.
47:08Traps, politics,
47:10people who thought cheating
47:11was smarter than building.
47:12But I always believed one thing,
47:14justice takes its time,
47:16but it shows up.
47:17And people who climb through lies
47:19and greed always end the same way.
47:21They're consumed by it.
47:22After the ceremony,
47:23I got a call
47:23from an unfamiliar number.
47:25An older man's voice came through,
47:27tired, shaking.
47:28Mr. Carter,
47:29I'm Susan's father.
47:31She got sick in prison.
47:33It's pretty serious.
47:34She knows she messed up.
47:35She asked me to tell you she's sorry.
47:37Sir, if sorry changed anything,
47:38we wouldn't need laws.
47:39Susan made her choice.
47:40Now she lives with it.
47:41I'm not visiting her
47:42and I'm not saying a word
47:42to help her case.
47:43Ethan,
47:44can't you find it in your heart
47:45to help her?
47:46She picked this road.
47:47She walks it herself.
47:48I sat with that for a second.
47:49Maybe I was cold,
47:51but I'd earned the right to be.
47:52The city kept moving.
47:53So did I.
47:54And for the first time
47:55in a long time,
47:56I felt completely at peace.
47:58Not long after that,
48:00Victor's full investigation wrapped.
48:02And it was worse
48:03than any of us expected.
48:04He hadn't just colluded
48:05with Susan.
48:06He'd padded budgets
48:08and moved stolen money
48:09through multiple major projects.
48:10Millions.
48:11And even that wasn't all.
48:13He'd also been leaking
48:14company secrets to competitors,
48:16cashing in from the shadows.
48:17In the end,
48:18he was convicted
48:18on multiple charges.
48:20Embezzlement,
48:21fraud,
48:21trade secret theft.
48:23Eight years.
48:24That was his sentence.
48:25He was ordered
48:26to pay the company back.
48:27His family sold off everything.
48:29And the rest of that debt?
48:31He'd carry it for life.
48:32Sky Peak changed everything.
48:34I moved fast after that.
48:35Chief Technology Director,
48:37then VP of R&D.
48:38I wasn't just building
48:39products anymore.
48:40I was setting the direction
48:41for the whole company.
48:42The call workers
48:43who used to mock me
48:44or flatter me
48:44when it was convenient,
48:45now they treated me
48:47with respect.
48:47No one looked down
48:48on me anymore.
48:49No one dared.
48:50I changed the culture fast.
48:52People worked together.
48:53No more stolen credit.
48:54No more politics.
48:55I made sweeping changes.
48:57Promotions were earned.
48:58Incentives were clear.
48:59Corruption was out.
49:00and there was no room
49:01for dead weight.
49:02I also made developing talent
49:04a real priority.
49:05I promoted younger engineers
49:07with real skill
49:08and accountability.
49:09Sometimes I'd speak at schools.
49:11Tell them what I wish
49:12someone had told me.
49:13Some of them joined us later.
49:15Some became key people
49:17on my team.
49:17A year later,
49:18Sky Peak had the highest
49:19market share in the industry.
49:20Our spin-off products
49:21did just as well.
49:22Then the company went public.
49:23On listing day,
49:24I stood in the exchange hall,
49:25watching the stock price
49:26move across the giant screen.
49:27I wasn't overwhelmed.
49:29Honestly,
49:29I wasn't even that excited.
49:31What I felt was relief
49:32because I knew
49:33this wasn't the end.
49:34Not even close.
49:35It was the beginning
49:36of something bigger.
49:37More challenges ahead.
49:39More opportunities.
49:40I was ready for all of it.
49:42Corporate life is war
49:43with better lighting.
49:44No guns.
49:45Just politics,
49:46setups,
49:46and quiet backstabs.
49:47But here's what
49:48they never tell you.
49:49Skill is the one thing
49:50you can't fake
49:50and you can't steal it either.
49:52The people who tried,
49:53they paid for it.
49:54Every single one.
49:55I turned to my team.
49:57The ones who fought with me,
49:59built with me,
50:00never left me.
50:01Every face was smiling,
50:03confident,
50:04earned.
50:05We looked at each other
50:06and smiled.
50:07No words.
50:09None needed.
50:10We all knew.
50:11The road ahead
50:12was still long.
50:13More wins to earn.
50:15More battles to take.
50:16But whatever came next,
50:18we'd build it the right way.
50:20On trust,
50:21on skill,
50:22and on something
50:23no one could break.
50:25you
50:26don't know if what you think
50:27can't.
50:27going after you,
50:27but I'm sorry.
50:27distracted.��는
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