LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30: Chapters 30
From his desk high above the bustling streets of the city, Dan, the new boss, adjusted his tie as he stared out the window. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow that made the city appear almost beautiful. It was a stark contrast to the chaos he felt inside. He'd recently heard whispers among the employees, and the unsettling thought that his authority might be undermined gnawed at him.
His gaze fell on the team below—Alex, the quiet one who always seemed to have his head in the clouds, and Jane, the diligent worker who had quickly caught his eye. Dan had made some advances towards Jane, drawn to her beauty and charm. But lately, he noticed something shifting among the employees. Conversations hushed when he walked by, and there was a noticeable tension in the air.
Then came the day Alex dropped his resignation on his desk.
"Alex, are you sure about this?" Dan asked, trying to maintain a calm facade, though irritation crept into his voice. "You're throwing away a solid job for… what? Some 'crypto dream'?" He scoffed at the term, trying to undermine the validity of Alex's decision.
"Actually, I've been doing really well with it," Alex replied, his tone steady. "I think it's time for me to pursue this full-time."
Dan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he observed Alex's demeanor. The kid was stubborn, no doubt. It was part of why he had initially respected him. But it also meant he wasn't going to let this resignation go without a fight.
"Look, Alex. I appreciate your contributions here, but let's be real. You're going to miss out on the stability this job offers. And what happens if your trading flops?" Dan leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly, as if sharing a secret. "You think you'll just be able to come back? No one wants a quitter on their team."
Alex raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "I'm not quitting. I'm moving on to something better suited for me."
Dan felt the irritation bubbling inside him. He hated being dismissed like this, especially by someone he considered beneath him. "And you think you can just walk out of here? It's not that simple, Alex. I've worked hard to build this team, and I don't need you running off at the first sign of opportunity, the upcoming election is the company's opportunity, you might even get a raise soon."
As Alex stood firm, Dan could feel the pressure mounting. He glanced down at Jane, who had been chatting with another colleague, almost as if to refocus himself. "I think you need to reconsider your timing, Alex," Dan continued, trying to assert his authority. "We're in a tight spot with the workload and the team dynamics. I need you here, not chasing after some fleeting trend."
"Mr Hartford, it's my decision," Alex replied, annoyance creeping into his voice. "I've made my choice."
Dan's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of panic. He didn't want to lose Alex—not now. "You're going to regret this," he spat, frustration boiling over. "This isn't just some hobby. You'll find yourself struggling without the security of a steady job."
As Alex turned to leave, Dan felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. He hated this feeling. "Fine, go ahead," he muttered, unable to keep the bitterness from his tone. "But don't expect me to be here to pick up the pieces when it all goes south."
Once Alex had left, Dan sank back into his chair, rubbing his temples. He should have been relieved to rid himself of a potential threat, it's not a secret that Alex is really good at the job, and has been giving satisfactory results over months now, but instead, he felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down. Was he really losing control of his team?
As he leaned back, he couldn't help but think about Jane. She was smart, capable, and everything he wanted in an employee. The fact that he had started to develop feelings for her only added to the tension. He had noticed how she'd been acting differently lately, hardly engaging in the usual banter. Perhaps he had pushed too hard with his advances, and now she was distancing herself.
Dan's mind raced as he contemplated his next move. He needed to regain control—not just of his team, but of the entire situation. The power dynamics were shifting, and he couldn't afford to be seen as weak. There were rumors flying around about him, whispers of nepotism and favoritism.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. "This isn't over," he muttered under his breath, his arrogance flaring. "I'll show them who's in charge."