The Bug I Left Behind

The numbers flashing on the screen stung my eyes. The confirmation letter for a one-billion-dollar order, like a medal, was firmly pinned to the homepage of the company's internal system. My name is Finlay Crystal, and I am the core developer of this Intelligent Robot Project. Three years of sleepless development, countless algorithms rewritten from scratch, have finally earned this moment of glory. "Finlay, well done!" General Manager Zimmerman said, patting my shoulder with a broad smile. "The company has decided to reward you with eight million in cash and promote you to Director of the Technical Department starting next week." Those words felt like a warm wave, instantly washing away all my exhaustion. I grasped General Manager Zimmerman's hand, expressing my thanks over and over. Eight million—enough for my parents to enjoy a comfortable retirement and for me to invest more in research and development. The position of Director of the Technical Department is the highest recognition of my abilities. Colleagues gathered around to congratulate me, their envious looks making me feel a bit shy. "Finlay, you've got to take me under your wing more from now on!" "Director Crystal, you have to host the dinner tonight!" I smiled and agreed, my heart brimming with hope for the future. However, that joy didn't last long. Three mornings later, I arrived at the Company as usual. A colleague from Finance came toward me, looking rather unusual. "Finlay, your bonus... has already been claimed by someone else." I stood frozen, thinking I must have heard wrong. "What do you mean? That was the reward the company promised me." "But the approval form bore Hector Xavier's name, with General Manager Zimmerman's personal signature." Hector Xavier? That name struck me like a needle, piercing through my doubts. He's an intern who joined just three months ago and hadn't even touched the core code under normal circumstances. I stormed into General Manager Zimmerman's office, demanding to know what was going on. General Manager Zimmerman avoided my gaze and said vaguely, "Finlay, this is the company's decision. Hector Xavier provided critical support during the later stages of the project." "Critical support?" I laughed bitterly, "The entire project's architecture, algorithm, testing— which part did he actually take part in?" "Calm down first." General Manager Zimmerman pressed his hand on my shoulder, "The company recognizes Hector Xavier's potential and decided to give him this chance." Potential? Looking at the leader who once valued me, I suddenly felt incredibly distant. What crushed me even more was yet to come. Notices from the Human Resources Department kept pouring in. "Finlay Crystal, after company deliberation, it has been decided that effective immediately, you will be transferred to the Logistics Department, responsible for cleaning the office areas." Cleaning? I nearly thought I was hearing things. A core developer who led a billion-dollar project, now suddenly assigned to mop floors? "This is impossible!" I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms. "The company can't treat me this way!" The HR manager handed me the transfer order expressionlessly: "This is the final decision from top management. If you refuse, it will be considered a voluntary resignation." I stared at that cold transfer order, feeling a chill rise from my feet all the way to my head. Three years of hard work, only to end up with this? The sense of betrayal washed over me like a tidal wave. I refused to accept the transfer order and turned away, leaving the HR department. In the corridor, my colleagues averted their eyes, their whispered conversations stabbing at me like needles. I knew that from this moment on, my fate within the Company was irrevocably changed.