My Boss Announced My Early Retirement, Then Everyone’s Faces Went White
“Thank you. I haven’t been to visit in the last few days. Let’s go right after work today,”
she replied.
Just then one of Mike’s supporters approached and directed me to the CEO’s office. Alice’s face tensed up.
It looked like my time had come to be let go. I bowed deeply to Alice.
“It’s finally time. It’s hard to leave you behind, but I guess I have to face him now,”
I said.
“I’m coming with you. I can’t stand this outrage!”
Alice declared.
We both entered the CEO’s office. Mike sat in a high-back luxury chair, one of his supporters standing to his right and Linda, looking pleased, stood further to the side.
The supporter who had led me in quickly positioned himself to Mike’s left.
“Jack, you’re also fired as of today. But you’ve dedicated 10 years to the company, so we’ll call it early retirement. You’ll get a decent severance package, so don’t worry,”
Mike announced.
There was no point in making a scene. I quietly nodded.
“Understood,”
I said.
Mike mockingly laughed at me.
“Glad the incompetence is finally gone!”
he shouted.
His supporters looked down on me smirking. Alice bit her lip in frustration but quickly retaliated.
“What are you thinking? If Jack leaves, the company really won’t be able to function!”
Alice said.
“Shut up! I’m the acting CEO and you’re the MD. If you can’t follow my orders, then you should resign too!”
Mike snapped.
Then Linda, who had been standing to the side, spoke up.
“You’re just like a lifeless body now, unable to do anything. You’re talented, so why not get hired by another company?”
she sneered.
“Mom, are you saying I’m unnecessary for this company?”
Alice asked.
“Oh, you’re just realizing that now? This company will be inherited by Mike alone. Don’t worry; we will adequately replace the employees we’ve lost,”
Linda said smugly.
Are these the words a mother bestows upon her own daughter to whom she gave life?
Once I leave, Mike’s takeover will be complete. But I never had the power to stop it in the first place.
Watching this family-run business split from the inside is heart-wrenching. I feel sorry for Alice, but I’m exhausted too.
Maybe it’s better to just resign.
“Mike, Alice, Linda, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me,”
I said.
I hung my head deeply. As I raised my head, I saw the pale faces of Mike, Linda, and their supporters.
The Unexpected Return and the Fall of the Usurpers
Turning around, I was astonished. There was Mr. Harrison in a wheelchair.
A nurse dressed in plain clothes was pushing the wheelchair.
“The doctor gave me permission to come out for an hour,”
Mr. Harrison said.
Though he looked a bit thinner, Mr. Harrison’s eyes were sharp and he radiated energy. Linda staggered toward Mr. Harrison.
“You! When did you recover enough to use a wheelchair?”
Linda exclaimed.
“You and Mike never visited, so you wouldn’t know, but my condition has been improving day by day,”
Mr. Harrison replied.
“Oh, that’s good. I’ve been worried all this time!”
Linda said.
Mr. Harrison snorted and looked away from Linda, turning instead to Mike.
“I see you’ve done quite as you pleased in my absence. Remember, you’re only the acting CEO, not the CEO,”
he said.
Initially, Mike seemed unable to grasp the situation, but as Mr. Harrison spoke with firm authority, Mike began to tremble.
“I—I was just thinking of the company’s best interests. I thought you were done for,”
Mike stammered.
“You underestimated me. I’m not one to be incapacitated by something like this. My pulse has stabilized and my fever has gone down,”
Mr. Harrison asserted.
“That’s great. I’ve been so worried!”
Mike replied, trying to sound sincere.
Mr. Harrison glared at Mike.
“Don’t say things you don’t mean. But fine, it’s probably your mother’s influence anyway,”
he said.
“It’s a misunderstanding, dear! I would never put such ideas in Mike’s head!”
Linda protested.
“I’ve known you long enough to know better. Anyway, Alice, I’m feeling a bit tired. Could you call an assisted taxi to take me back to the hospital?”
Mr. Harrison requested.
