My Boss Announced My Early Retirement, Then Everyone’s Faces Went White

Life at Harrison Design and the Respectable CEO

My name is Jack. I’m a 32-year-old Salesman working for a midsize Design Company, Harrison Design.

Our company is family-run with the upper management having the last name Harrison. The CEO is Mr. Harrison.

The Executive Vice President is his son, Mike, and the managing director is his daughter, Alice. The CEO’s wife, Linda, doesn’t hold an official position, but she often comes to the office to complain about the employees.

I’ve heard that family-run businesses often turn into tough workplaces. Indeed, Linda, who wanders around the office without doing any work, can be annoying at times.

However, as long as I ignore Linda’s complaints, it’s a pretty good place to work. The primary reason is that Mr. Harrison, the CEO, is a very respectable person.

He never throws his CEO status around and always considers the employees’ opinions. That’s why our company has a good atmosphere.

The employees work comfortably without harboring any grievances. Mr. Harrison’s children joined the company’s leadership about 5 years ago.

His eldest daughter, Alice, is a year older than his son, Mike, but Alice is just the managing director, and Mike is the Executive Vice President. Alice doesn’t really complain about this.

Alice, a graduate from a renowned university in a major city, is extremely capable and never brags about it. She puts the employees’ comfort first, making her the type of female supervisor you’d willingly follow.

On the other hand, Mike, who became the Executive Vice President, is somewhat problematic. Before joining his father’s company, Mike traveled the world as a backpacker while Alice gained experience in another design office.

There’s nothing wrong with world travel, but Mike seems unable to shake off his student mentality and doesn’t like hearing anything unpleasant. Perhaps our company still clings to a male-dominated society, given Mike’s promotion despite being younger.

Linda’s influence is a major factor in Mike’s usefulness. She dotes on Mike and seems to indulge all his whims.

Yet, as the son of the respectable Mr. Harrison, Mike will probably change as he gains experience. I thought I was still young, but it’s been 10 years since I graduated college.

During that time, I’ve worked solely for Harrison Design. As more young people join, I feel my age.

I try my best not to become an unpleasant supervisor. Additionally, I have a unique connection with Mr. Harrison.

He enjoys playing chess, but few people in the office can match him. While there are people who play pool and checkers, I’m one of the few who can play chess.

So we often play in his office during lunch breaks or after work. We don’t hold back and our win rates are about even.

“Well, I lost today. Maybe I’m getting old,”

says Mr. Harrison.

“What are you talking about, Mr. Harrison? We still need you to keep going strong,”

I replied.

Mr. Harrison, having turned 60 the other day, started to worry about his age. From my perspective, he’s still plenty young, vibrant, and the perfect example of a 60-year-old professional.

It seems his concern about his age hardly comes from the fact that his son Mike is still not capable enough to be left in charge with confidence. Leading with a loss feels wasn’t satisfying.

“How about it, Jack? One more game?”

Mr. Harrison asked.

“Sure, but I won’t go easy on you,”

I said.

Mr. Harrison laughs heartily and we begin setting up the chess pieces again. Then one day, something happened.

A female employee rushes out of the CEO’s office in a panic.

“Somebody call an ambulance! Mr. Harrison collapsed right after he said he’s having chest pains!”

she shouted.

A Sudden Collapse and the Reign of the Acting CEO

As we employees head towards the CEO’s office, we find the door open and several employees have already crowded inside. I hear the loud voices of Mike and Alice.

“Dad, hang in there! I’m loosening your tie now!”

Mike yelled.

“Dad, you’ll be okay. Just don’t move. The ambulance is on its way!”

Alice cried.

The paramedics arrived quickly and took Mr. Harrison away on a stretcher. Accompanying him were the Executive Vice President Mike and the managing director Alice.

Linda was at home and was informed; she said she would head straight to the hospital. Meanwhile, us at the office couldn’t focus on work, anxiously waiting for news from Mike and Alice.

Soon Alice called the company.

“Dad’s completely unconscious now. He’s in a critical condition with arrhythmia and high fever,”

she said.

From that day, a wave of unease spread throughout the office. While we tried to keep working, everyone was whispering about the future of Harrison Design.

“If Mr. Harrison doesn’t make it, will we all lose our jobs?”

someone asked.

“No, the Executive Vice President and managing director are still here. One of them will take over,”

another replied.

But one of them was a significant issue. I thought things might work out if Alice became the CEO, but I was only anxious about the future if Mike took the position.

There were several family meetings at the Harrison household. Ultimately, my worst fears were confirmed.

Mike, as the eldest son, was appointed the acting CEO. This is what I think is the downside of family-run businesses, but it’s not like the employees could vote for an acting CEO.

The next day Mike arrived at the office, taking on his new role with confidence. During the morning assembly, Alice, the managing director, announced it to all the employees.

“Mr. Harrison is still unconscious. Harrison Design is facing its biggest crisis since its founding. Let’s rally behind the acting CEO and get through this crisis together,”

she said.

As I listen to Alice’s words, I find myself lost in thought. Is this really okay for Alice?

Is she truly satisfied with this?

“A few words please, acting CEO,”

Alice said.