My Boss Announced My Early Retirement, Then Everyone’s Faces Went White
“I know everyone is anxious at a time like this, but I need you to trust me and give it your all. If we all work hard, surely my father’s condition will improve,”
Mike announced.
One of Mike’s supporters starts clapping. Soon other employees join in with the applause.
I join in while intently watching Alice. Alice, trying not to reveal her true feelings, joins the applause with a cold smile.
“What’s going to happen now? I’m really worried,”
an employee standing next to me mutters softly.
It seems I’m not the only one feeling anxious. A few days have passed since Mike became the acting CEO and its effect is already apparent.
Mike has begun implementing major layoffs. It’s been 5 years since Mike joined Harrison Design and there are quite a few employees who are dissatisfied with him.
Unfortunately, I am one of them. It appears he wants to get rid of anyone he considers a nuisance.
For now, let me explain what’s happened so far. Before the layoffs started, Linda had begun frequenting the CEO’s office.
I don’t know what they were discussing, but it didn’t seem like good news for us employees.
“Hey, someone take some tea to the CEO’s office and check out the situation,”
someone suggested.
A female employee made tea and knocked on the door of the CEO’s office. We all held our breath, listening to the sound, but unfortunately, hardly any voices leaked out.
We waited for the female employee who delivered the tea to return. Soon she came back running.
“It looks like layoffs are definitely happening! Anyone who doesn’t align with the acting CEO’s views is out. That means those who oppose the Executive Vice President—no, the acting CEO—in the past are definitely targets,”
she reported.
“What should we do? I’ve been pretty outspoken!”
one person cried.
“If that’s the case, I’m in a similar boat,”
I said.
Ever since Mike and Alice joined the company, it was clear who sided with the EVP and who with the MD. I was firmly anti-Mike, meaning I supported Alice.
Then two of Mike’s supporters from the CEO’s office walked in and we all fell silent.
“What’s this, a funeral? It’s so quiet here,”
one supporter mocked.
“We need to support Harrison Design under the acting CEO now. Well, who knows how many of you will remain. Just you wait and see!”
the other added.
The two supporters exchanged glances and burst into loud laughter. It seemed their future was secure.
And so from the next day, one by one, people were let go. First it was those who openly opposed Mike’s methods.
Then those who had never voiced opposition but sided with Alice when issues arose. Alice became increasingly isolated.
It seems Mike drove Alice out of Harrison Design. Despite being siblings with just a year’s age difference and sharing the same parents’ blood, why couldn’t they get along?
Eventually, I was the only one left supporting Alice.
“My mother always favored Mike. I’ve always been the one to oppose her, so I guess I’m not the favorite,”
Alice said.
Alice bit her lip in frustration.
“As the acting CEO, is Mike regularly visiting Mr. Harrison at the hospital?”
I asked.
Alice shook her head weakly.
“He’s left it all to the hospital. He seems to think there is no hope for a recovery. Mike is going to take over Harrison Design for good,”
she answered.
“Alice, are you visiting Mr. Harrison in the hospital? How is his condition?”
I inquired.
“There’s been a significant change, actually a good one. But Mike’s actions have been so swift, I’m not sure if it’s going to be in time,”
she explained.
The fact that she mentioned “in time” suggests there might still be a chance for Mr. Harrison’s return to the company. I felt a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
“Alice, next time you visit Mr. Harrison, please take me with you. I might not be able to make much difference, but I want to help in any way I can for his recovery,”
I said.
