chapter 2
I understood perfectly.
As Sales Director, my desk was in the same area as everyone else, but I had a whole row to myself, with an open view, allowing me to see everyone opposite me.
Now, it was different. He was eager to push me out, and my new spot was directly opposite him, by the window.
Even with air conditioning in summer, we weren't allowed to close the blinds. The scorching sun blared through the glass, not only reflecting off the computer screen but also making it unbearably hot.
But none of that mattered. I quietly packed my things and was about to move my computer to the new spot when he stopped me. "Hold on. We need to check everything on your computer carefully. What if you're taking client data with you?"
"Fine, check it!"
I opened my computer and let him search through everything.
Mr. Gold himself had personally headhunted me. At the time, hed told me, "Ethan, you have absolute authority in this company!"
Mr. Gold's health had declined in recent years, and hed gone abroad for treatment. Everything they were doing now struck me as utterly ridiculous.
I knew exactly what Olivia was thinking: kicking me to the curb to cut costs. But unfortunately, costs aren't that easy to cut.
Ian found nothing suspicious and could only wave me off.
Zachary sent me a message: "Don't worry, Ethan. We're all rooting for you!"
I sent back a smiling emoji. What good was their support? I didn't believe for a second that the senior management on the 23rd floor was unaware of what Olivia was doing to me. They were tacitly approving it.
That meant Mr. Gold, far across the ocean, must also know. If that was the case, there was no point in arguing with them.
I clocked out at the end of the day, just as usual. I didnt know what their previous expectations were, but from now on, I'd strictly follow company procedures. That couldn't be a problem, right?
According to my old routine, I'd usually meet clients for tea and chats after work. But not anymore.
I drove straight home, lay on my long-missed bed, and watched the sunset, feeling fantastic.
Normally, I'd always be out entertaining clients, with endless social obligations. Now, I finally had time to myself. I opened my phone, searched for theater tickets, and booked one for myself.
My favorite theater actor had performed hundreds of shows, but Id never been to a single one. Now, I finally had the time.
Soon after, I was added to a new sales group.
Ian was the group admin.
"Attention All Staff: From now on, all sales personnel must write daily sales logs. You need to report who you met, what was discussed, and if there's any potential interest, for my review."
"You must secure 5 potential clients each month. If you fail to meet this, your end-of-month evaluation will be reduced by 20%."
Zachary messaged me privately: "Look at him! Says he came back from overseas, but he's using all these outdated methods on us?"
"Has he ever even worked in sales? Potential clients aren't that easy to find! Five a month? The entire company only closes deals based on old clients these days!"
"The economy's rough now, it's not that simple. And the big clients aren't ones *we* can handle. For small clients, this city only has so many people. He really doesn't want to give us any breathing room."
Seeing Zachary's rant, I just comforted him, "Take it easy. Just do whatever your boss tells you to."
"Ethan, are you really just going to let him push you around? I wouldn't stand for it! If it were me, I'd have quit ages ago! I can't take this crap!"
Zachary was always outspoken. I smiled at his messages but didn't reply.
I wasn't in a hurry. They'd find out soon enough.