Home / Modern / Betrayal at the Counter

Betrayal at the Counter

Name: Betrayal at the Counter
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Clark Coontz

5.0

Modern

8 Chapters

1.5K View

Read Now

The apprentice I personally brought up wants to replace me. Since you are not being benevolent, I will also not act justly.

Chapter 1 A Sure Bet

I worked as an ordinary bank teller. After seven or eight years on the job, I took on a trainee named Jenna Wheeler. From her very first day, she'd pull up a chair behind me, watching as I processed transactions for customers and practicing her counting skills alongside me.

Jenna, like me, came from a modest local background. She was short, slightly chubby, and sported dyed blonde hair. She greeted me cheerfully every time with, "Julia," her voice full of warmth.

Jenna was also a fantastic cook. Whenever we brought our lunches, she always included a share of her homemade roasted chicken or creamy pasta for me. Her thoughtfulness made me feel she was worth mentoring.

Though hardworking, Jenna wasn't the sharpest. She learned slowly and made frequent mistakes when she first started at the counter. She ended up covering customer losses from her own pocket before even getting her paycheck. I couldn't bear to see her struggle and used my own money to make up for her errors.

Moved by my support, Jenna wept with gratitude. From then on, our bond deepened, and she even confided in me about her personal life.

I quickly noticed Jenna was impulsive, especially in relationships. She fell for people quickly and pursued them fiercely. She'd had several short-lived romances, including one where she even moved in with the guy and his mom. She bought them a fridge, replaced their air conditioner, and even sacrificed her virginity for him-only to be dumped anyway.

When I asked her what kind of boyfriend she wanted, she replied simply, "Someone who'll marry me. That's all I want."

As a married woman with some life experience, I advised her, "When it comes to love, it's okay for women to take the initiative, but don't be too eager. It attracts the wrong kind of men. And trust me, you'll never know just how bad they can be until you're already stuck with them."

I was not sure if my words sank in. Our days behind the counter seemed endless yet passed by in a blur. Under my guidance, Jenna gradually became competent enough to handle tasks on her own.

I was considered the branch's top performer-fast and precise with the lowest error rates. Naturally, Jenna, trained by me, quickly rose to a similar level of expertise.

I thought I had groomed a capable ally for the branch, but little did I know, I'd actually been cultivating my own competition.

Both Jenna and I were contract tellers, not official bank employees. We were hired through a staffing agency, which meant limited prospects. We couldn't get promoted and would be the first to go if there were layoffs.

Our ultimate goal was "permanent employment."

After over a decade of service, I assumed I'd be next in line for a full-time position. However, the rules changed. The branch manager informed us that to qualify for permanency, one had to earn an "Outstanding Employee" rating for two consecutive years. Moreover, with corporate tightening its quotas, each branch could only recommend one candidate for a full-time spot.

There was, of course, a faster way: passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. But let's face it-even accounting graduates from top universities struggle to pass. For vocational school grads like us, the CPA might as well be a pipe dream.

That said, I was confident. My performance had always been stellar, and I had a solid reputation within the branch. Last year, I was already recognized as an "Outstanding Employee". With another round of voting coming up, I was certain I had it in the bag.

You'll also like

Moonlit Desires: The CEO's Daring Proposal

Weeble

4.9

As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"

Addicted To The Genius Lady With A Thousand Faces

Ocean Blue

4.8

She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"

Bound By Love: Marrying My Disabled Husband

Devocean

4.4

“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”

The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King

Stina‘s Pen

4.9

COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?

The Unwanted Wife's Unexpected Comeback

Idaline Miele

4.5

On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."

The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never

Gilbert Soysal

4.5

It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"

Betrayal at the Counter

Contents