When my childhood friend, who had never achieved anything, asked to use my wife’s connections for a promotion, I refused.
But while I was away on business, my wife pushed for his promotion, making him director and even tripled his salary.
When I returned after a year-long business trip, Aiden Garcia, with my wife supporting him, spoke to me in a very proud yet disrespectful manner. “Don’t think you bully me around just because you own the company. As long as Natalie is on my side, even if I want your seat, you’ll have to give it up.”
He suddenly splashed water in my face. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I slapped him right there and immediately fired him.
When my wife found out, she encouraged all the employees to hand in their resignations.
“Mason Hernandez, give the position back to Aiden right now, or we’ll all quit together.”
——
The large conference room fell into a heavy silence as everyone waited for Natalie Rodriguez’s orders.
All those people were the ones Natalie had personally hired and she had quietly replaced my people without letting me know.
When someone spoke up for him, Aiden became even more arrogant. He put one foot on the counter and stared at me with a confident look
“See? You think you can fire me? It’s not that easy.”
“As long as Natalie’s here, even if you want to fart, you’ll have to get her permission first.”
“To be honest, this company belongs to her. You’re just a puppet, with no real power.”
As soon as Aiden finished talking, he let out a proud laugh. He took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips and one of his men quickly leaned in to light it for him.
He grinned as he took a drag, blowing the smoke in my direction. The air grew hazy, but his arrogance still came through clearly.
“So what? Are you angry at me now?”
“But what can you do? Even if you are, you still have to keep it to yourself!”
Even though a sign outside clearly said no smoking, Aiden didn’t care. He lit up anyway, doing whatever he wanted.
When I stayed quiet, he looked even more pleased with himself. “Being a director still isn’t enough. The real power is in that chair you’re sitting in.”
It was clear he was hinting that he wanted to replace me and took my position.
I had no idea where his confidence came from, acting so boldly like he could do whatever he wanted.
Looking at the pile of resignation letters in front of me, I then glanced up at everyone. “Are you really going to threaten me by quitting together because of him?”
"Just for a loser like him? Is it really worth it?”
Leaning back in the chair in amusement, I couldn’t understand why they would give up their jobs for one person.
“You’re wrong. They’re not doing this for him, but for me.”
“Because I’m their boss. As for your orders, they won’t listen.”
Right after he spoke, everyone turned to look at the conference room door and greeted Natalie politely as “President Rodriguez.”
Hearing “President Rodriguez” felt like a slap in the face, since I was the one who founded Dashville Company and was its only boss. Yet all the employees only showed respect to Natalie and looked down on me.
“Well! You’re all here, how thoughtful.”
Natalie clearly enjoyed the title "President Rodriguez." It made her feel proud and above everyone else.
When our eyes met, she lifted an eyebrow and gave a cold, mocking smile. “See? If you insist on firing Aiden, they’ll all leave together.”
“If you wait until they all leave, hiring people back won’t be easy and the company’s losses will only grow.”
