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