"You will not have my office."
She just sighed as she walked in to see him seated behind the desk, with his hands spread out like he was trying to physically keep the office from moving.
"You're all so predictable. This is a done deal. Everything is already settled, so why resist? Especially since I was more lenient than you deserve. The board will make you a new position, and you'll keep getting paid monthly, whether you work or not, which you've already been doing."
"I don't want any position. I will remain as the CEO of the company. Who do you think you are to demote me when…"
"Enough, Francis. Don't make this harder than it needs to be. I have a whole lot of work to do, and you're just standing in the way of that. From the few reports I've seen, you were barely ever at work, and even when you decided to come in, you barely worked. Your executive assistant has been doing most of the work, and the only reason he's not here today is because he fell sick due to overworking."
He just scoffed. "What do you know about company matters? You're just jealous that I was chosen over you, despite all your efforts, and so called hardwork."
"You've also been the cause of so many scandals, though most never made the news, but cost the company with struggling finances to pay huge bills just to settle. I'm putting an end to that, effective immediately. So think carefully before you sleep with anyone's wife, or try to sexually harass a female employee, because this company will no longer cover up your transgressions. Be grateful I don't start fraud investigations, because I'm sure you're also guilty of that. Now leave with your head up, or be dragged out by security, and suffer that embarrassment. Your choice, because either way, you're leaving this office, and I'm taking over."
He clenched his fists and stepped forward like he was about to start a fist fight, but Alrik stepped in front of Eliza.
"I'd be really careful if I were you. She gave you two choices, and I'm giving you two more. Walk out with your own two feet, or watch me break your legs, and then get dragged out. Your choice."
The fierce protective look on Alrik's face terrified Francis, though he tried to hide it. But it made him drop his clenched fists, and move towards the door. Have my things delivered to my new office by t…"
"Everything will be packed and sent to the secretarial corner. Pick it up from there yourself. I'm not a delivery man." She interrupted him, and his cheeks flushed.
He had no choice but to leave. He knew there was no argument he could start against Eliza and win. She was no longer at his mercy, and he had no leverage over her like before when she needed them to survive.
While two security men took care of moving everything that belonged to Francis, Eliza summoned the secretaries. They were ten in total, but they worked rotational shifts. Only three were on duty that day, a male and a female, plus the other rude female.
"Grant, Michaela, I've worked with you both before. The rest of the secretarial staff were either employed when I was no longer working here, or I didn't work with them long enough for me to trust them. When I'm done with my performance review, I may release some secretaries from duty, but you two will remain. I trust your work to an extent, though I have no idea if you've slacked or changed since my absence."
"No way, Ma'am. We're ready to work with you." Grant, the male said.
"Yes, Mrs Eliza. We were sad when you left. Our workload increased and benefits were reduced." Michaela, the first female responded.
"I'll also review that soon. You know I believe that employees are entitled to benefits for putting their time and effort into the business. I'll make sure you're paid fairly, but for that to work, I need to boost the company's profits." Eliza said and they both smiled.
"And you," Eliza turned to face the rude one.
"My name is…"
"I know your name, I just don't care to use it. I will call you whatever I want from now on, and you better respond. Be grateful I haven't fired you yet, but who knows? I might change my mind at any time. So don't give me a reason to do so." Eliza said coldly.
The other two were surprised by Eliza's hostility towards their teammate Freda, because the Eliza they knew, was always kind to the employees. They hadn't been there when the woman disrespected Eliza that day.
"Y.yes Ma'am." Freda stuttered with her head bent.
"Grant, prepare the finance reports for the past six months, print and submit to my desk. Michaela, you handle the financial reports, print and submit. You, get me a latte from the Teacup Cafe."
The three of them left, but Eliza smirked, Freda never bothered to ask what kind of latte she was to order in her hurry to please her new boss. And the Teacup cafe was about six blocks away from the office. Messing with Freda would take some stress off her fully loaded day.
Eliza was about to sit when Alrik stopped her.
"No way I'm letting you use furniture that's been contaminated by your brother's presence, and other assholes before him. Your office is getting a complete makeover. I arranged for new items for you, and I just received a message that they're in the lobby, heading up here. Just wait a few minutes."
True to his word, just several seconds later, men began to appear, carrying new furniture, flowers, and other decorative pieces. They moved out the old desk and chair, replaced it with new, more comfortable ones. Removed the other furniture by the corner, replaced them as well, then set up the plants where Eliza directed them to, and even changed the light fixtures. She got a new bookshelf, and a foldable massage chair.
"So, do you like it?"
"Like it? No. I love it!"