After They Treated Me Like a Dog, I Took Their Empire

My company worshiped wolf culture.

If you wanted your year-end bonus, you had to put on a dog mask, get on a leash, and bark three times on stage.

For my sons life-saving surgery, I swallowed my pride and did it.

But the very next day, a video of me barking went viral across TikTok, and I became the laughingstock of the internetthe "Ultimate Simp."

Looking at my bosss fake, smiling face, I walked out and took a job at our biggest rival.

I really want to see how this company survives without me, their top closer.

Braden Cole held the microphone, his beer belly stretching his designer suit to its absolute limits.

"This years top closerLiam!" he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "A hundred-thousand-dollar bonus, paid in cash right here, right now!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. My fingers were trembling.

My son, Leo, was scheduled for heart surgery next month. I needed exactly one hundred thousand dollars to cover our insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Just yesterday, Chloe told me that if I couldn't get the money, she was taking Leo and leaving me.

"But" Braden dragged out the word.

The room went dead silent.

He waved his hand, and a hostess stepped up to the stage carrying a silver tray.

On it lay a cheap plastic dog mask and a heavy iron chain collar. The metal links clanked together loudly.

"Our corporate culture is all about hunger! Wolf mentality!"

Braden grinned, his gold tooth catching the stage lights.

"Liam, put this mask on. Let us clip the leash. Get up here on stage and give us three good barks. Do that, and the cash is yours."

"Mr. Cole, please..." My throat felt like sandpaper.

"What? Is a hundred grand not enough for you?" Braden patted the thick stacks of hundred-dollar bills. "If you don't want it, that's fine. Ill just donate it to some charity."

Whispers broke out in the crowd.

"Just do it, Liam! It's a hundred grand!" someone yelled from the back.

"Yeah, man! Its just three barks!"

"Liam, think of your kids surgery," Marcus whispered next to me. He was the only colleague who knew about my situation.

I stared at the black dog mask.

"Hurry up!" Braden tapped his knuckles on the table. "Everyone's time is valuable here."

Taking a deep breath, I stood up.

Walking down the aisle, I could hear my own heart hammering in my chest.

People were wolf-whistling. Some were already holding up their phones. I kept my eyes locked on the pile of cash on the stage.

My son was only five. He had a congenital heart defect, and the doctor said this month was our last window for the surgery.

I reached the stage.

Braden personally picked up the dog mask and shoved it over my head.

My vision was cut in half. Then, he clipped the cold iron chain around my neck.

"Hold the leash!" He shoved the other end of the chain into the hostess's hand.

The young girls face flushed bright red. She didn't dare look at me as she gave the chain a light tug.

The crowd burst into roaring laughter.

"Take a walk! Do a trick!" Chad was screaming from the front row.

The hostess pulled the chain gently, and I stumbled forward.

Standing in the center of the stage, the hot spotlights burned my face.

"Bark!" Braden shoved the mic right in front of my mouth.

"Woof." The first sound barely slipped out. It was barely a whisper.

"We can't hear you!" the crowd chanted in unison.

"Woof!" I roared it out.

"Not realistic enough!" Braden tapped the back of my leg with his shoe. "How does a loyal dog bark? Show some enthusiasm!"

For the third bark, I closed my eyes and screamed with every ounce of air in my lungs.

"WOOF!!!"

The sound echoed through the entire venue, followed instantly by wild laughter, clapping, and mocking whistles.

Braden patted my shoulder and turned to the crowd.

"You see this? This is loyalty! For this company, we do whatever it takes!"

He grabbed the stacks of cash and slammed them into my chest. "Take it! You earned it!"

I held the money tight. Ten heavy stacks. Inside the plastic mask, sweat was pouring down my face.

When I walked off the stage, the chain was still hanging from my neck. Braden had forgotten to take it off. I ripped it off myself and tore the mask from my face. My hair was soaking wet.

I ran straight into the restroom.

I slammed the door and locked it. Leaning against the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes bloodshot.

Footsteps echoed outside, and I heard voices.

"Did you see that? The golden boy actually barked."

"For a hundred grand? Id bark like a whole pack of dogs."

"Please, with your sales numbers? Mr. Cole wouldn't even waste a dog collar on you."

Then came Chads voice. "Honestly, Liam really is a king nowthe King of Simps!"

They all burst into loud laughter.

I turned on the faucet. I splashed cold water on my face, letting it mix with the tears spilling over my eyelids. The hundred thousand dollars pressed against my chest felt like a block of concrete, heavy and agonizing.

I dried my face, packed the cash into my backpack, and zipped it shut.

It's fine, I told myself.

I got the money. My son is going to be saved.

At six in the morning, my Snapchat was buzzing nonstop. I opened my eyes to see 99+ unread messages.

The first one was from a college classmate. It was a link to a TikTok video.

The caption read: Top closer at a tech firm barks like a dog on stage for his year-end bonus. Where is the dignity?

The video was only thirty seconds long. It showed me putting on the dog mask, being led on a chain, and barking.

Bradens face had been carefully cropped out of the frame. The comment section was a absolute dumpster fire.

"No dignity left for money."

"This company is sick."

"Top closer? More like Top Simp!"

"@everyone, come look at this literal corporate dog!"

I closed the app, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

Then my phone rang. It was Chloe.

The moment I picked up, she was screaming. "Liam! What the hell did you do?!

My coworkers just sent me the video! My mom and my friends have all seen it!"

"Chloe, let me explain"

"Explain what?! The video is crystal clear! You played dog for a hundred thousand dollars!

How am I supposed to show my face in public? How is our son supposed to go to school?!"

"Leo needed the money for his surgery"

"So you become a literal dog for money? Liam, you make me sick!"

The call clicked off. I tried calling back, but she had already blocked my number.

Suddenly, a new notification popped up on Snapchat. It was from Leos preschool teacher.

I tapped the voice note, and the sound of my son sobbing filled the room.

"Daddy... the kids said you're a puppy...

They won't play with me... they keep barking at me... sob..."

My fingers were stiff as I typed. "Ms. Davis, I am so sorry, please"

Before I could finish, she replied.

"Mr. Miller, this video is causing a massive distraction.

We suggest you handle your family matters at home. Don't let this affect your child."

I stared at the screen, my eyes burning.

The phone vibrated again. It was my dad.

"Liam!" His voice was trembling with rage. "You... you put your mother in the hospital!"

"Dad, please"

"All our neighbors saw it! Your uncle just called to ask if we were so desperate for money that we let our son beg like a dog on the street!"

"I did it for Leo's surgery"

"I don't care!" my dad roared. "We didn't raise a son with no backbone!

Your mother said if you don't make a public apology and get that video taken down immediately, don't bother calling us family anymore!"

Beepbeep

The line went dead.

I sat on the edge of the bed. The sun hadn't fully risen yet, and the room was swallowed in darkness.

Then, my phone screen lit up again with an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Liam, buddy! It's Braden." Braden's laugh boomed through the speaker.

"Have you seen the news? Our company is absolutely viral!"

I gripped the phone tightly.

"Mr. Cole, that video was edited. That's not how it happened"

"Who cares?" he interrupted. "Bad press is still press!

Our phones have been ringing off the hook this morning with new leads! Its free advertising!"

"But my family"

"Your family will get over it!" he said dismissively.

"Tell you what, at Mondays morning meeting, I want you to do it again.

We'll record the full version this time, high quality. We'll post it to clarify things for you!"

"Mr. Cole"

"Alright, I've got a meeting. See you Monday, don't be late!"

He hung up.

I opened Instagram. Chad had posted a photo dump three minutes ago.

It was a slide of photos from the annual party. Right in the middle was a high-def, close-up shot of me wearing the dog mask.

The caption read: Corporate culture! Wolf mentality! Shoutout to our most "loyal" colleague!

Below it, the entire company had lined up to leave likes and thumbs-up emojis.

I scrolled down. I saw that Chloe had liked the post too.

My phone buzzed again. A new text message.

It was from Chloe.

Liam, I can't live like this for another second.

I want a divorce. Im taking Leo. If you try to fight me for custody, Ill make sure this video is sent to every single person in this city.

I stared at those words for a very long time.

Then, I stood up and walked to the window.

The sun was up now. Down on the street, people were rushing to work.

A little kid tripped and fell. His mother rushed over, scooped him up, dusted him off, and kissed his cheek.

I turned around, slid my back down against the wall, and sat on the cold floor.

At the Monday morning meeting, Braden made me the opening act.

"Let's welcome Liam to share his secrets of success!" He led the applause.

Hardly anyone clapped. Most people just stared at me.

Some looked amused, some looked sympathetic, but most were just numb.

"I..." My throat was completely dry.

"Louder!" Braden banged on the table. "Did you lose your voice?"

A few people snickered.

"Last week... for the company... I put on a performance..." Every word felt like hot coal in my mouth.

"Performance?" Braden cut in. "Thats called demonstrating loyalty! Come on, let's give Liam some encouragement!"

He pulled out his phone and started recording.

"Give us a couple of barks to start the week off right!"

I looked at his camera lens. I thought of the remaining balance for Leo's post-surgery care. I couldn't lose this job.

"Woof."

"Can't hear you!" Chad shouted from the back.

"Woof!"

"No energy!" Braden frowned. "Where's that passion from the party? You get lazy once you get the cash?"

I closed my eyes and screamed.

"WOOF!!!"

The room fell silent for a second, then erupted into hysterical laughter.

Braden stopped recording, looking highly satisfied. "Great! Thats what I like to see!

From now on, Liam will start every Monday morning meeting by pumping us up!"

When I walked off the stage, my knees were shaking.

At noon, I had a lunch meeting to sign a contract with Mr. Miller. I had been nurturing this client for six months.

Once this deal went through, the commission would easily cover Leo's rehabilitation costs.

As I reached the lobby, I saw Chad walking out, his arm draped over Mr. Millers shoulder.

"Don't worry, Mr. Miller! Ill personally handle your account from now on!" Chad was shouting boisterously.

Mr. Miller saw me and looked slightly embarrassed.

"Liam... your boss just told me... you've been reassigned?"

I froze.

Chad grinned. "My uncle said big accounts need to stay within the family.

You should focus on internal training from now on, Liam."

He leaned in close to my ear. "Specifically, training people how to bark."

I stormed straight into Bradens office.

"Mr. Cole! Mr. Miller's account was mine! I've been working on it for"

"Oh, that?" Braden leaned back in his leather chair, propping his feet on the desk.

"I gave it to Chad. His aunt is married to Mr. Miller's cousin. They have a family connection, its easier to talk business."

"But I worked on this for six months..."

"And what did that get us?" He threw a stack of papers at me. "Look at this!

Chad signed the contract over one dinner last night. Six months of your work can't beat one night of drinking with my nephew."

I picked up the contract. The signature line bore Chads name.

"A dog is a dog," Braden sneered, lighting a cigar. "Youre good for guarding the house, but don't think you get to eat the steak."

When I got home, the house was dark. Chloe had texted saying she was staying at her mother's with Leo for a few days.

The fridge was empty. While searching for instant ramen, I noticed a box of expensive cigars in the trash can.

Cohibas. I didn't smoke.

My heart dropped.

I went into the bedroom. The nightstand drawer wasn't fully closed. Inside was an old iPhone that Chloe had stopped using a while ago.

Driven by a dark instinct, I picked it up. It was charged.

I tried our wedding anniversary as the passcode. Incorrect.

I tried Leo's birthday. It unlocked.

The photo gallery was filled with screenshots of Snapchat chats.

Between Chloe and Braden.

Babe, when are you going to leave that loser and marry me?

Once the heat from Liams viral video dies down. I can't ruin the company's image right now.

He actually thinks Leo is his son. Its hilarious.

Of course he does. I got you pregnant while he was passed out drunk. He never even touched you that night.

The latest screenshot was a bank transfer from yesterday. Two hundred thousand dollars. The memo read: For my baby's new car.

I sank onto the floor. The hardwood felt ice-cold against my skin.

My phone rang.

"Mr. Miller, when will you be paying the remaining balance for Leo's surgery? Tomorrow is the absolute deadline."

I stared at the screen. Braden's smiling face was saved as my phone wallpaper.

Outside, the sky had turned pitch black.

I opened my laptop and clicked on an encrypted folder.

Inside were all the records of financial fraud, tax evasion, and corporate bribery that Braden had forced me to assist with over the years.

I backed everything up, encrypted the files, and sent them to a secure, anonymous email address.

Then, I dialed a number.

"Mr. Vance? This is Liam. Lets meet tomorrow."

I looked around the empty apartment. In our wedding photo on the wall, Chloe was still smiling beautifully.

I started to laugh.

I laughed louder and louder, until my ribs ached, and I couldn't stop.

On Monday, Braden threw a massive celebration party. The company had just passed its pre-IPO audit.

The banquet hall was packed, and Braden sat at the head table.

Sitting right next to him was Chloe, dripping in designer jewelry.

Chad started shouting, "Hey Uncle Braden! Aren't you going to introduce your new assistant?"

Braden wrapped his arm tightly around Chloe. "This is Chloe, my new executive assistant. Shes highly capable and knows exactly how to... 'take care' of me."

The table erupted into laughter. Chloe smiled, keeping her eyes glued to her plate, avoiding my gaze.

Braden pointed a finger at me. "Liam, you owe Chloe a thank you.

If she hadn't begged me to keep you, a loser who ruined our company's reputation would have been fired a long time ago!"

Chloe quickly said, "Braden, let's not talk about the past."

Braden slammed the table. "Why shouldn't we? Liam, say it yourself.

Do you even deserve a woman like Chloe? Huh? Barking like a dog for a little cash, you're a disgrace!"

I set my fork down slowly.

Braden got even louder. "Look at you! Then look at me!

The clients you couldn't keep, the woman you couldn't holdto me, they're just easy pickings!"

He whipped out a black credit card and threw it on the table. "Go buy yourself a new bag, Chloe!

Don't be like some people who have to bark on stage for a measly hundred grand!"

Chloe grabbed the card, her face lighting up with joy.

I stood up.

Braden sneered. "What? You got a problem with that?"

I walked up to the small stage at the front of the banquet room, where the microphone and the projector screen were set up.

Chad yelled, "Get down from there! That's not a place for a dog!"

I plugged my flash drive into the laptop connected to the projector.

The video started playing.

It was the unedited, full version of the annual party.

Bradens loud voice filled the room: "...Put the dog mask on... clip the chain... bark three times... If you don't want it, I'll donate it to charity..."

The room went dead silent.

In the video, right before I walked onto the stage, I had looked at my phone.

The camera zoomed in on my screen. It showed my text messages with the hospital doctor.

"The surgery cost is 0-000,000. It must be paid by next week."

As I barked on stage, the high-definition camera clearly captured the tears streaming down my face.

The silence in the hall was suffocating.

Chloe bolted upright. "Liam, what is the meaning of this?!"

Bradens face turned purple. He kicked his chair over with a loud crash. "You motherfer, you set me up!"

He waved his hand at his bodyguards. "Beat him! Beat him to a pulp!"

Two burly guards rushed the stage. Fists and boots rained down on me as I curled up to protect my head.

Braden screamed, "Break his legs! Let him crawl out of here!"

One of the guards picked up a heavy metal folding chair and slammed it down hard onto my leg.

I heard the bone snap before the blinding pain hit me.

Braden walked over, stomping his heavy boot directly onto my hand. "You think you can play games with me? You're nothing!"

He spat directly onto my face.

Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the banquet hall were kicked open.

Several federal agents in windbreakers walked in. The man at the front held up a badge.

"Braden Cole?"

Braden froze. "Who the hell are you?"

The agent flashed his ID. "IRS Criminal Investigation. We received a detailed whistleblower report.

Your company is under investigation for massive tax evasion and securities fraud. You're coming with us."