At the company's annual banquet, just as I was about to pick up a piece of meat, the new employee suddenly turned the tables.
“Some people don’t do a single serious thing in this company. All they know is eating every single day.”
“And what's worse is they're leeching off his girlfriend.”
Not only was he meddling, but his tone was dripping with sarcasm.
I chuckled softly, then turned to my fiancée, Wanda Robinson, who had arrived late to ask, “So this is the new assistant you've been raving about?”
——
"Tristan, that's enough!"
"Julian is a newcomer. It's only natural he'd be nervous and forget his manners.”
“He graduated from a prestigious foreign university and studied under a renowned financial master. He's far superior to you, a half-baked amateur. He's the future of this company!”
I thought she would be on my side, but who knew she was protecting him completely. She even stepped on me to lift him up.
Mocking smiles appeared on every employee present. They all thought I was asking to be humiliated, a leech who could not even behave.
"Thank you for your trust, Wanda."
Julian Smith became even more smug and grinned broadly. After making a toast to Wanda, he turned to look at me.
“Since everyone is here today, I have something I want to ask General Manager Sanders ....”
“In this partnership with Torch Capital, the other party demanded a 50-50 split. Why did you voluntarily concede and propose a 70-30 split instead?”
The implication was clear that he suspected I'd pocketed kickbacks.
The room erupted in commotion.
Even Wanda turned to stare at me, demanding that I give a public explanation.
“Giving them enough benefits the first time opens the door for more cooperation later.”
I shot a calm glance at Julian. “Don’t tell me someone who graduated from a prestigious university can’t understand such a simple principle?”
This tactic had proven effective time and again and I had explained it to Wanda a long time ago.
“Fallacious argument!”
Julian slammed his fist on the table, retorting furiously. “Business demands fairness and justice! If you show weakness, they'll push for more advantage!”
"And besides, who would give away a piece of meat that's already in their mouth? Do you know how much loss you've caused the company?”
“Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be general manager!”
Silence fell all over the room.
No one expected Julian to dare say something like that. After all, no matter how useless I was, I was still Wanda's fiancé and the future grandson-in-law who had been handpicked personally by Mr. Robinson, Sr, before his death.
I looked at Wanda.
Surely, she'll be on my side, right?
After all, she’d always approved of such tactics before and we had been together for three years.
But her expression turned cold. "Tristan, given the gravity of the situation, you are temporarily suspended from your duties and will undergo investigation.”
"Hand over your work to Julian."
I froze in place.
I had become the laughingstock of every employee in the room.
“What future grandson-in-law was handpicked by Mr. Robinson? He’s just a dog that gets ordered around.”
“A kept man is still a kept man. President Robinson has him wrapped around her finger.”
“Just like a piece of clothing—she can replace you whenever she wants.”
Some people grew bolder and started whispering among themselves.
Julian's smile widened and his words grew more arrogant. "Tristan Sanders, you've been suspended. What right do you have to eat here? Shouldn't you be going home to await the investigation?”
Regaining my composure, I turned to Wanda and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She paused slightly, a complex gleam flashing in her eyes before she frowned. “I will never bend the law for personal gain—not even for my fiancé.”
Although it was a perfectly legitimate procedure, it was obvious I did nothing wrong. However, because of Julian's accusation, I was replaced.
Truly ridiculous!
Absolutely laughable!
I stopped insisting, stood up with a cold face and walked out—but Wanda chased after me.
