Chapter 8 - The Corner Office
Gasps echoed across the floor.
Maya’s eyes went wide. "Mr. Vance... no! I... I've only been here a year! I'm just a junior analyst! I can't run a global compliance division!"
"You noticed the fraud when senior auditors missed it," Arthur countered smoothly. "You showed moral courage when forty people in this room stayed silent. Skills can be taught, Miss Lin. Integrity cannot."
He stepped closer, leaning down slightly so only she could hear his words:
"Besides... I need someone in that corner office who actually knows how to keep the floors clean."
Maya felt a tear slip down her cheek, but this time, she smiled—a genuine, radiant laugh breaking through her shock. "I won't let you down, sir."
"I know you won't," Arthur said.
He turned to the rest of the office, his presence radiating an undeniable, sovereign authority that filled the vast open room.
"All of you," Arthur announced, his voice booming off the glass windows. "Back to work. And remember this day: in my company, power is not a license to oppress. It is a burden to protect. If I ever catch another executive treating a worker like trash... I won't just fire them. I will destroy them."
The employees nodded frantically, scrambling back to their computers with a renewed, terrified energy.
Arthur looked at Richard Sterling. "Clear my calendar for the rest of the evening. I have a dinner meeting."
May you like
"Of course, Mr. Vance," Sterling bowed. "Shall I call your driver?"
"No," Arthur said, picking up his old brown cardigan and draping it over his arm. "I'll take the stairs."
