After a few days, Roy decided to accept his fate and visit the store fully. For his first visit, he just looked at the store, but didn't fully go in. Now, he was committed.
Roy walked toward the entrance with slow steps. The sliding doors automatically opened, and the cold air inside greeted him.
For a moment, he expected to see a few people shopping or at least walking around.
But no.
It was really empty.
As Roy entered, a man wearing a clean but slightly faded uniform rushed to greet him. The man looked surprised and confused. It seemed like he did not expect anyone to show up at all, especially someone dressed as formally as Roy.
"Ah… welcome to Blackwell Mart, sir," the man said while bowing a little. He thought that Roy was a customer. "I am Martin. How can we help you today?"
"Martin?" Roy raised a brow when he heard the name. "Are you the general manager?" he repeated.
Martin blinked a few times, then straightened himself.
"Yes, sir. I am the general manager." He looked nervous, unsure of why this stranger knew his title.
"I am Roy Crawford. The new CEO of this place." Roy crossed his arms as he revealed that information.
Martin completely froze on the spot. After a second, his eyes widened as if he had just seen a ghost.
"T-the CEO?" he stuttered. "Of Blackwell Mart?"
"Yes. Is there any problem?" Roy nodded as he scratched the back of his head.
"N-no sir! Welcome!" Martin bowed again, this time so low that Roy thought the man's back would snap. "We were not told you would come today!"
"Well, it was sudden, I apologize," Roy said as he looked around the silent store. "By the way, where is everyone?"
"They're here, Sir. Please come with me." Martin swallowed and gestured for him to follow. "I will quickly call them!"
Martin quickly turned around and hurried a few steps ahead, trying his best to look composed. Roy followed him, studying the man from behind.
For someone who carried the title of general manager, Martin looked surprisingly young. He was maybe in his late twenties or early thirties. He had brown hair that were already falling out of place from stress.
Still, Martin kept his posture straight as if he was trying very hard to look professional in front of the new CEO.
When they reached the middle of the store, Martin turned around again, smiling nervously.
"I-I will call the staff now," he said. His voice shook a little, but he tried so hard to hide it. He then took out a small walkie-talkie from his waist and pressed the button.
"Everyone, please come to the middle of the store," he said with a shaky voice. "T-The new CEO is here."
Roy watched him with a curious face. He could already tell Martin was not used to dealing with big positions. The man's hands were even trembling slightly, even when he was just announcing that.
A few seconds later, quick, hurried steps echoed across the store. One by one, people appeared from different corners.
There was a woman from the cashier's area, a young stocker holding a stack of boxes, two staff members walking around, and a few more employees in simple uniforms.
In total, there were only ten of them.
They stood side by side. Their faces showed a mix of curiosity, fear, and confusion. Some looked like they had worked here for years, while there were only two who looked like they were new to the store.
"These are the remaining employees, Sir," Martin said as he stepped aside. "We… used to have thirty at our peak. But when customer numbers started falling last year, the main office pulled many of our workers."
Roy raised a brow.
"So this is all that is left? Ten people?" he asked, keeping his tone low.
"Yes, sir," Martin replied softly. "Most of these people have been here since the store opened almost ten years ago. They saw the good days and… the bad ones too. When newer grocery stores opened nearby, most of our customers went there instead. We do our best, but the numbers keep dropping…"
The employees nodded silently to agree with it. Some were looking down at their shoes as if scared that they would be fired too.
Martin forced a small smile on his face.
"By that way, everyone, this is Mr. Roy Crawford… our new CEO."
The staff bowed slightly.
Roy smiled at the employees.
This place was already hanging by a thread.
Perfect. It was exactly what he needed.
Roy looked at the ten employees in front of him. They were still confused and looked like they were trying to understand why Roy had come to gather them.
With that, Roy slowly smiled. A very warm and friendly smile. He already thought of an idea of how to destroy this store.
To close this store… I only need to spend money, Roy thought.
My father gave me $100,000 to revive this place. But I am not planning to revive anything. I will just spend it. All of it. As fast as I can.
His smile grew even wider.
Martin and the staff looked at each other uncomfortably. They had no idea what that smile meant, but it did not feel safe at all.
Roy then took a step forward.
"As your new CEO," he said calmly, "I want to reward all of you for your long service to this store."
The staff blinked.
Reward them?
Right now?
On the first day?
"Starting today," Roy continued, "your salary will increase to two times your current amount."
The entire group froze at his announcement. Their jaws fell to the ground. Martin's soul seemed to leave his body for a moment.
"S-sir?" Martin said, his face pale. "A-are you sure about that? I… I mean… are you really sure?"
Roy nodded without any hesitation.
"I am very sure," he said. "You all deserve it."
The employees looked at one another with widened eyes, unable to believe what they had just heard.
Meanwhile, Roy held back his laughter. With raises this big, the budget of the mart would surely burn fast.
And the faster the money disappeared, the faster this store would collapse!