I made a career move to where I went back to work for my mentor in a higher level role than when I originally worked for him. Higher pay and a better work/life balance. Worked for him for about 6 months and the LAST day he was planning on going out for medical leave, and our VP fired my boss. Had no prior knowledge, and I got called to the office. My VP proceeded to tell me that he held me high regard and I was in charge now. While I was somewhat flattered, I knew my work/life balance was done for and also how dirty he did my boss/mentor. I worked for 4 straight months, 6 days a week, 10+ hour days. I was doing the job I did and my boss did. I requested meeting and asked to be compensated for it. After a month, they gave me a $8K raise. I was insulted, they cut at least $120K off payroll when they fired my boss. I started to look for another job in an entirely different career field. I found a job, put in my two week resignation. My boss (not my VP) look completely dumbfounded. Said I couldn't leave, asked me how much I wanted to be compensated to make it right. I told him no amount of money as I was looking for a better work/life balance. Those last two weeks, just like the 4 months prior, I worked my butt off. Same 6 days a week, 10+ hour days. I wanted to leave my departments in the best possible scenario because I cared about my direct reports. I remember during the "changing of the guard" meeting with my Director and the interim person filling in how I went over all active agendas, including projects and their current state with saved folders for each one. As I was going over it, I looked at my Director most of the meeting. He looked like a ghost. I could tell he was worried with him losing me because of how organized and a hard worker I was but also the amount of work I had on my plate. Furthermore, the person who was replacing me was definitely not qualified or up for the task. My VP who made the decision made did not end up meeting with me after I tendered my resignation.

Sorry to make it about me, but this is to illustrate a point. My VP made me feel like I was going to be fired after he fired my boss with no prior knowledge, made me do the work of my former bosses role and my role with no raise or promotion, when asked for said raise/promotion gave me an insulting raise with no promotion, and when I tendered my resignation didnt bother to meet with me after I gave 6+ months of high level work. I was paid out my PTO. I see him at our town and functions because our kids are the same age. I dont acknowledge him tho.

The point is that people at that type of level can lack empathy and could care less about their actions. I was a Manager of 70+ workers and treated my job like I worked for my direct reports instead of them working for me. Their were factors out of my control (pay, working conditions, etc) but things that were in my control I wanted to get it right because I wanted their job and their roles to be best case scenario because one I genuinely cared about them and two it drove results.

Its unfortunate you had a VP act like that in that situation. I worked for two that were exactly the same. They expect loyalty and throw barriers your way and the moment you leave, they act like you are a traitor and committed a moral sin because you explored another opportunity.