Chapter 6
Samuel flinched, quickly pulled out a chair, barely sitting on the edge of the seat, his body as tense as a bowstring.
"Let's hear it," Richard said. He picked up the empty glass in front of him, absently toying with it. "Who can explain to me what the hell is going on?"
His voice was soft, but it was more terrifying than his earlier outburst.
David started sweating bullets again. He glanced at Samuel, who buried his head even lower. He looked like he wanted to crawl under the table and vanish.
David knew Samuel couldn't shoulder the blame for this; the responsibility was all on him.
"Mr. Lane, this was my fault." He forced the words out. "Recently, the sales and HR departments put together a proposal to optimize the sales team."
"Optimize?" Richard cut him off, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. "So your brilliant plan is to get rid of someone like Charles?"
"No, Mr. Lane, please let me explain," David said, his words tumbling out fast.
"It mentioned that while Charles has made huge contributions, his management and training style has gotten pretty set in his ways after eighteen years, and he can't keep up with the pace of the younger generation.
"And Henry, the new sales champion, is more dynamic, has more drive, and has a strong influence among the younger staff.
"So the proposal suggested that Henry step into Charles's role to inject some fresh energy into the training system.
"I looked at Henry's performance report, and it was really impressive, so I approved it."
When he finished, the whole coffee shop went dead silent.
I sat there, quietly listening.
There was no anger in me, only a strange, almost absurd sense of emptiness and sorrow.
Set in my ways? Couldn't I keep up with the pace?
That Brighton Corp Elite Sales Force Training Program 2.0 I pulled together after two weeks of sleepless nights wasn't designed to help Brighton Corporation stay ahead of the curve for the next decade.
And yet, they didn't even bother to glance at it and tossed me aside with a single "set in my ways." Wasn't that laughable?
Richard didn't even get angry after David finished talking. Instead, he let out a laugh. "Henry?" He rolled the name around in his mouth, slow and deliberate.
He said, "Yeah, I remember him. Last year's top sales guy. Charles was the one who gave him the award, right there on stage.
"So the guy Charles trained up is now turning around and saying his mentor's methods are outdated?"
Richard's gaze was sharp enough to make David and Samuel flinch, as if a blade were scraping right across their faces. "David, you've been sitting in that chair for almost ten years now, haven't you?
"So tell me. When did Brighton Corporation become a place where people stab each other in the back and burn bridges after they've crossed them?"
David's lips trembled, but he couldn't get a single word out.
Richard slammed the glass down on the table. It made a heavy, dull thud.
He didn't even spare a glance at the two shell-shocked executives.
Instead, he turned to look at me.
All the anger and coldness on his face vanished in an instant.
In their place was a seriousness and sincerity I'd never seen from him before. "Charles, the company really let you down. On behalf of the board, I apologize."
He stood up and gave me a deep, respectful bow. "I hope you'll think about it. "Come back. Pick any position you want, and name your salary.
"If you come back, I'll make you Vice President and give you one percent of Brighton Corp's shares. What do you say?"