A Fresh Start
The month-long handover crawled, but I maintained professionalism until the final hour. My new company welcomed me warmly—larger scale, cutting-edge work. The open-plan office was bright, airy. Young, energetic colleagues. A vibrant, positive buzz. My direct manager, David, personally toured me. "Impressed with your background," he said sincerely. "Eager to see your contributions." Clear goals. Earnest respect. Professional dignity returned. His handshake was firm, dry. Trusting. The boulder inside shifted. I glimpsed a healthy workplace. Hope flickered.
Unplanned News
Challenges at the new job were real—but rooted in competence and objectives. Meetings were sharp, proposals valued, critiques professional. After a key presentation, the department head praised my strategy. Later, David stopped me in the hall: "Model section was crystal clear—tight logic! Well done!" Pure professional validation was nectar. No blurred lines. No mind games. Just space to grow. I’d rediscovered work's meaning. Three months later, grabbing coffee, I bumped into Lily. Bubbling over, she spilled the tea: Jenna had "tossed Mark aside."
Street Encounter
Mark, she sneered, had been Jenna's eager lackey, promised a promotion that never came. After a screaming match with Jenna, security escorted him out. "Sycophant to the bitter end." Lily's voice dripped contempt. I listened, no triumph stirring—just heavy melancholy. We parted quickly. Sunlight glared. That wretched chapter officially closed. Another gray Saturday. Downtown. He rummaged through a trash bin, gaunt, ragged, nearly unrecognizable. Our eyes met. Shock. Shame. Anguish flashed across his face. Then he bolted, vanishing into the crowd like a startled rat.
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The month-long handover crawled, but I maintained professionalism until the final hour. My new company welcomed me warmly—larger scale, cutting-edge work. The open-plan office was bright, airy. Young, energetic colleagues. A vibrant, positive buzz. My direct manager, David, personally toured me. "Impressed with your background," he said sincerely. "Eager to see your contributions." Clear goals. Earnest respect. Professional dignity returned. His handshake was firm, dry. Trusting. The boulder inside shifted. I glimpsed a healthy workplace. Hope flickered.
Unplanned News
Challenges at the new job were real—but rooted in competence and objectives. Meetings were sharp, proposals valued, critiques professional. After a key presentation, the department head praised my strategy. Later, David stopped me in the hall: "Model section was crystal clear—tight logic! Well done!" Pure professional validation was nectar. No blurred lines. No mind games. Just space to grow. I’d rediscovered work's meaning. Three months later, grabbing coffee, I bumped into Lily. Bubbling over, she spilled the tea: Jenna had "tossed Mark aside."
Street Encounter
Mark, she sneered, had been Jenna's eager lackey, promised a promotion that never came. After a screaming match with Jenna, security escorted him out. "Sycophant to the bitter end." Lily's voice dripped contempt. I listened, no triumph stirring—just heavy melancholy. We parted quickly. Sunlight glared. That wretched chapter officially closed. Another gray Saturday. Downtown. He rummaged through a trash bin, gaunt, ragged, nearly unrecognizable. Our eyes met. Shock. Shame. Anguish flashed across his face. Then he bolted, vanishing into the crowd like a startled rat.
NEXT >>
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