I Returned To The Headquarters After 10 Years. A New Elite Coworker Mocked Me But When I Did…

Here is the full transcript of the video, organized into a story-style article with corrected punctuation and spelling, as requested.

The Impossible Challenge

“Hey dropout, translate this in an hour.”

I glanced at the documents handed to me with a mocking laughter. It appeared to be a contract written in French.

“It might be too hard for you without a college degree, but get it done in less than an hour.”

Behind those mocking words, I could sense the intent of ridicule, thinking I’d probably fail and wondering how they could make fun of me if I did. The surrounding co-workers watched the exchange with a mix of sympathy and disbelief. Reading such a document would take less than three seconds.

As I quickly scanned the content, I was taken aback because it detailed an unbelievable deal.

“I’ve skimmed through it, and this contract is just absurd.”

“What? No way you read that so quickly!”

Facing his raised, angry voice, I calmly pointed out the errors in the documents.

A Humble Beginning

My name is Sam. I’m a regular office worker at a certain company. Well, starting today, I’ll be working at the New York headquarters. Growing up in a poor family, I started working on the ground at this company right after middle school. Back then, it was just a part-time gig, but eventually, I was hired full-time.

My co-workers were kind, and despite my limited formal education, they taught me a lot. From the job itself to math and even languages, I learned a lot on the job. I always believed that what I learned would one day benefit the company and contribute to its growth.

With that mindset, the company helped shape me into a respectable professional, recognizing my skills and eventually trusting me with an assignment to an overseas branch. Although my first venture abroad presented numerous challenges, it was rewarding, and I was able to build good relationships with the locals.

To be honest, I have been offered higher positions multiple times but always declined because I prioritized hands-on work at the branch. It was a decision many people regretted, but they respected my choice and let me proceed how I saw it. Thanks to that, our overseas branch got on the right track, generating stable revenue.

So, I’ve proudly returned to the New York headquarters. Though my departure was bittersweet for many at the branch, I know they’ve grown enough to run it on their own. Many came to the airport to bid me farewell, bearing loads of gifts and bouquets. I waved back at them. I am heading back to the States and going to serve as a regular worker at the New York headquarters for a while to get accustomed to working there.

I’ve missed my home country and regard my co-workers like family, so I was eagerly anticipating my return. I gazed out of the airplane window, lost in thought.

The New Environment

After a long time away, I was excited about returning to the States and to the impressive new building of headquarters. Starting today, this is my workplace. As I looked around the spacious office, Harry gave a brief introduction about me. The co-workers, many of whom I didn’t recognize, greeted me with applause.

The only familiar face seems to be Harry for now. I’ll be assigned to the sales department where Harry works to get a grasp of the atmosphere and work routine of the New York headquarters. There’s talk about me taking up a significant position later on, but revealing that now might intimidate some co-workers. So, for now, they introduced me as just another co-worker returning from the branch.

“Starting from today, I look forward to working here.”

With that greeting, I bowed my head, and the co-workers greeted me with warm applause. I thought this was a great workplace. I never imagined that among the young, motivated co-workers, there would be someone with malicious intent.

Meeting James

On the first day, I focused on understanding the workflow, getting to know clients, and familiarizing myself with ongoing contracts. That’s when I was introduced to a young man named James, a graduate from a prestigious university and showing promise as a rookie just a year after joining the company. Nodding in agreement with Harry’s words that we both have something to learn from each other, I introduced myself.

“I’m Sam. Nice to meet you.”

As I extended my hand for a handshake, after a quick glance, James introduced himself in a somewhat irritated tone.

“I’m James.”

Regardless, I was now set to work with James. Thinking back, there was a sense of discomfort from the beginning.

“Sam, right? Keep at your mind that I’m the senior here after all.”

“Oh, understood.”

The moment the department head left, his tone and attitude turned curt. However, I figured for a young and talented guy like him, mentoring a middle-aged man sent over from a branch office must seem like a tedious task. So, I decided not to let it bother me. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so accepting of his demeanor.

For about the first week, I was able to learn the nature of the job by observing James at work. Since he didn’t give me any explicit directions, I assumed it was a learn-by-watching kind of situation, but it seems I was mistaken.