Chapter 7: The Breaking Point

I couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed over, ready to slap her.

My vision blurred with rage. I raised my hand, not caring about the consequences.

But just as I was about to, someone kicked me hard from behind, knocking me to my knees. My lower back throbbed with pain. I turned and saw the ‘puppy dog’ behind me, acting all tough.

He stood over me, chest puffed out, daring me to get up. His eyes were cold, his lips curled in a sneer.

At that moment, he was playing the role of a ‘wannabe CEO.’

He strutted around, soaking up Marge’s approval. It was pathetic, but right now, it hurt.

“You don’t do your job and dare to touch my Marge? Are you crazy?”

He pointed at me, voice loud and theatrical. I could hear people whispering, phones buzzing as word spread. Some coworkers looked shocked, a few started recording.

Seeing me kneeling, Marge and her clique laughed even harder.

The sound echoed, sharp and cruel. My cheeks burned with humiliation.

I tried to get up and fight back, but some close coworkers quickly surrounded me, holding me back.

They grabbed my arms, whispering urgently. “Don’t do it, Brian. It’s not worth it.”

“Brian, don’t be impulsive! At a time like this, don’t give them an excuse!”

Their voices were gentle but firm. They knew how quickly things could go south.

“Yeah, we all have families. If you lose your job over this, what about them?”

I looked at them—faces lined with worry, eyes pleading with me to stay calm. Their kindness made my anger twist into something softer—sadness, maybe, or regret.

Looking at my coworkers trying to calm me down, I suddenly felt sorry for them. They worked so hard, just to survive. But this kind of job was so humiliating!

I saw the exhaustion in their eyes. The quiet resignation. We all deserved better. I remembered last year’s holiday party, when we all chipped in for pizza because the company wouldn’t cover it.

Even now, they still thought that being honest and hardworking would make Marge spare them. They didn’t know that if the company hadn’t changed, several of them would be laid off that afternoon!

If only they knew what was really coming. I wanted to warn them, but the words caught in my throat.

I forced myself to calm down, put my hand in my pocket, and squeezed the layoff list. Endure now, for the bigger plan. I’d keep my powder dry until the time was right.

I gritted my teeth, pointed at the ‘puppy dog,’ and said, “Fine! I won’t hit you now, but remember, you kicked me just now!”

My voice was cold. I locked eyes with him, promising I wouldn’t forget.

He swaggered over, slapped me in the face, and sneered, “I remember it perfectly. What can you do about it? You’re about to be kicked out!”

His slap stung, but not as much as his words. I tasted blood, but I refused to back down.

“And do you know why you’re being laid off and not me? Because I have principles!”

He puffed out his chest, as if he was some kind of hero. The irony was almost laughable. If this is what principles look like, I’d rather be unemployed.

He continued, “I would never hit a woman. That’s my principle.”

He grinned, expecting applause. Marge beamed at him, as if he’d just recited the Gettysburg Address.

He laughed out loud. Marge nodded, looking pleased.

Their little performance was almost Oscar-worthy. I wanted to gag.

Just then, the new supervisor’s office door opened. He poked his head out. “What’s all the noise? Everyone to the conference room!”

His voice cut through the chaos. The room fell silent. People glanced at each other, dread written on their faces.

Everyone knew the meeting was about layoffs and walked over anxiously.