Whispers rose and fell.
I recognized everyone. Some were colleagues who always greeted me with smiles and others were subordinates who used to treat me with utmost respect.
A louder voice joined in, carrying a leading tone. "I heard, Lucius couldn't handle the core perception and decision-making module at all and it was Mark who finally cracked it after getting efforts several sleepless nights."
"Is it true?"
"Of course it's true! Even though Mark is still interning, he's a top graduate from a prestigious foreign university and has work experience at a major company. His PPTs are absolutely stunning!"
"Otherwise, why do you think Ms. Andrew gave him one million two hundred thousand dollars bonus? It's his well-deserved reward! He truly earned it!"
"Lucius is just all talk and no action. The work is all done by his subordinates. Mark is the most hardworking one."
"That's right, I've heard that too. Lucius barely touched the code in the later stages, it was all Mark carrying the load."
"He acts like a senior, but doesn't do any real work. He deserves to be removed."
My heart sank little by little—not with anger, but with a chilling numbness.
Mark sat in the front row, slightly lowering his head. I couldn't see his expression -- perhaps he was shy, perhaps he was enjoying himself.
Just as the murmurs subsided and everyone thought the meeting was about to end, Joana picked up another document.
A faint smile played on her lips as her gaze once again landed precisely on the corner where I was. "Furthermore, I'd like to announce another personnel change."
"Lucius, the former Director of the Technical Department, is hereby transferred to the Logistics Department from now on, responsible for the cleaning of the toilets on the first to seventh floors."
"I hope everyone will cooperate with his work in the future."
A brief silence followed.
Immediately, the entire conference room erupted in uncontrollable laughter.
Some people were slapping their thighs, some were doubled over with laughter and some were pointing in my direction, laughing so hard they could hardly breathe.
Even the usually dignified high-ranking officials were now covering their mouths, their shoulders shaking.
Every face was filled with undisguised mockery, schadenfreude and a sense of glee at the humiliation of the down-and-out.
"Cleaning toilets? Hahaha! He really went to clean toilets!"
"My God, from technical director to cleaner, what a drop in status ...."
"Let him clock out on time! Let him act all high and mighty! Now we're satisfied!"
"You'd better be careful when you go to the restroom from now on, lest you bump into Mr. technical director Schroeder ... oh no, I mean, Mr. cleaner Schroeder, while he's working, that would be so embarrassing!"
I sat there, completely still, at the center of this whirlwind of laughter.
Joana stood on the stage, watching the result with satisfaction. She gently raised her hand to suppress her laughter, but the smugness in her eyes was unmistakable.
The meeting soon ended.
Everyone began to leave noisily. As they passed by me, they either unconsciously quickened their pace or cast more direct glances, then exchanged knowing looks with the other.
I waited until almost everyone had left before slowly standing up.
Back in the private office that was no longer mine, I began packing my belongings.
The cardboard box wasn't big, yet nine years of memories scattered inside, only filled about halfway.
My fingertips brushed against an old coffee cup, a souvenir personally given to the core team by Joana when the company received its first investment. Engraved with the word "Merit," it now felt only a cold irony to the touch.
***
Nine years ago, the newly established company huddled in a small corner of the industrial park.
With fewer than ten people, including the boss, every month's payday was a struggle and and the company's cash reserves frequently teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.
