Chapter 6
And this time, Matthew made it even tougher.
Putting me in charge of the layoff list was basically throwing me into the fire.
Once that list dropped, I'd be public enemy number one in the whole company.
Everyone who got axed would take all their anger and resentment out on me.
Nice move, pulling the rug out from under me.
"No problem," I replied, keeping my cool.
Still, I took it in stride.
"But I'll need full access.
"Give me every employee file, performance review, and a full report on all projects."
Matthew's eyes flickered with surprise.
He probably hadn't expected me to take it on without even blinking.
He stared at me for a few seconds, like he was trying to see right through me.
"Okay."
He picked up the internal phone.
"Tell HR and Finance to fully cooperate with Ms. Jennings.
"Whatever she asks for, make sure she gets it."
His voice stayed cold, but there was a sly, mocking undertone.
He looked at me like he was watching a gladiator about to step into the arena.
"You have three days.
"In three days, I want to see a list that satisfies me.
"Otherwise—"
He left the rest unsaid.
But the threat was unmistakable.
"Got it," I said.
I grabbed the list I'd just shot down and walked out of his office.
When I got back to my desk, HR and Finance were already flooding my inbox with files.
Piles of data. Project reports, complicated as hell. Each file was a mountain to climb.
Project reports, complicated as hell.
Each file was a mountain to climb.
I took a deep breath and opened the first employee file.
I didn't go home that night.
The CEO's office lights burned all night.
I kept chugging coffee, forcing myself to stay awake as I pored over every bit of data.
Five years grinding away at the lowest level meant I knew exactly who was who in this company.
I could spot the slackers, the ones lining their pockets, and the real workhorses without missing a beat.
I kept my own scorecard in my head.
Now, all this data was just confirming what I'd already figured out.
Early the next morning, after pulling an all-nighter, I showed up with two big dark circles under my eyes.
I'd already put together a rough draft of the layoff list.
Right then, my office door was flung open, hard.
David Watson, the marketing director, stormed in with a few of his crew, looking ready to throw down.
"Yvette! What the hell is this supposed to mean?"
He slammed a file down on my desk.
"What gives you the right to lay off half my department?
"Who put you in charge? You're just a rookie assistant!"
David was an old hand at playing the system.
He was related to one of the board members, so he threw his weight around the company.
Marketing was full of people who got in through connections and had the worst performance in the company.
My list was messing with his gravy train.
I looked up at him, calm as ever.
"Mr. Watson, relax, this is just a draft.
"But if you keep coming at me with that attitude, I can make it official right now."
David's face went a dark, ugly shade of red.
He never thought a nobody he usually ignored would dare talk back to him like this.
"You... you dare threaten me?"
He pointed right at my nose, his hand shaking with anger.
"Let me make this clear, Yvette!
"Don't think just because you've got some mysterious shareholder backing you, you can call all the shots!
"Sliver Tech isn't yours to boss around, you little upstart!"
Those behind him started making a scene too.
"Yeah! Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Get our people off that list, now!"
People were already crowding around the doorway, eager for drama.
Everyone was watching, hoping I'd crash and burn.
Everyone was waiting for David to tear me down.
I stood up, slow and deliberate.
I looked over David and the people behind him.
"Mr. Watson."
My voice wasn't loud, but everyone on the floor could hear it.
"The marketing department's expenses last quarter were up 30% compared to the same period last year.
"But new customer growth was less than 3%.
"That Shining Star project you blew a fortune on still hasn't made a single cent.
"This company isn't a charity. We can't afford to keep so many deadweights on the payroll."
With every word I said, David's face went a shade paler.
These were the numbers he'd doctored and tried so hard to hide.
He never thought I'd be able to expose all his secrets overnight.
"You... you're making this up!" he sputtered, still desperately denying everything.