Yvette raised an eyebrow at the eager Nelson. Without expression, she said, โLetโs go.โ
Lucas was puzzled by Yvette's obedience, but the urgency of the situation precluded further thought. Yvette stood, casually placing a small silver gun on the table. The dark barrel pointed directly at Nelson, causing him to freeze.
He stammered, โMs. Zeller, your little gun is quite exquisite.โ
His words drew everyone's gaze to the weapon. Zoe, startled, wondered why it was in Yvetteโs office. Lucas found it unremarkable; Yvette's Interpol background made gun ownership unsurprising. Nelson and Warron, however, were unaware of this.
A cool detachment shone in Yvetteโs eyes as she smiled leisurely. This smile, inexplicably, sent a chill down Nelson and Warronโs spines.
Yvette calmly stated, โItโs a replica toy.โ
Nelson smiled awkwardly. โMs. Zeller, your tastes are unique.โ He thought, Are you kidding me? Who would play with a replica gun? Even if she gave it to me, I wouldn't dare keep it. It's so realistic!
Warron's fear subsided. He hadn't expected a toy. He mused, Maybe Yvette isn't interested in guns. She must have spent a fortune on this realistic toy. How childish! His disdain for Yvette deepened.
Several people left the meeting room. Zoe, at the rear, closed the door, her gaze lingering on the gun. She thought, I donโt think itโs a toy; it looks exactly like a real one.
A nondescript middle-aged man stood on the Chambers Group rooftop, wearing an ordinary suit, a briefcase tossed carelessly to the ground. He stood precariously near the edge, a step away from a fatal fall.
Nearby, Chambers Group employees and security guards pleaded with him to come down, but he remained oblivious, yelling, โBring Ms. Zeller here!โ
The PR department manager was frantic. A fall would be headline news, a public relations nightmare. Public opinion would favor the โvictim,โ regardless of the truth, damaging Chambers Group's reputation and stock price. He thought, Why isnโt Ms. Zeller here yet? Seeing the man grow agitated, he offered comforting words.
โDex, please donโt be upset. We can solve this. Thereโs no need for this. Discuss your concerns with Ms. Zeller; sheโll understand. Have you thought about your parents, wife, and children? You canโt be this selfish. Come down, letโs talk.โ
The other employees joined in, but Dex only grew more agitated, shaking his head.
With bloodshot eyes, Dex cried, โYou donโt understand! My wife left after I was fired. My daughter is sick, needs a bone marrow transplant, and the medical bills are crushing me. I canโt be fired! Ms. Zeller is ruining me, ruining my family!โ
His words moved everyone to tears. Dex was the only ordinary employee on the layoff list; the others were well-connected. Dismissing the latter was understandable, but Dex's dismissal was inexplicable.
โDex has a point,โ someone said. โWhy was he fired? Whatโs his family supposed to do?โ
Another chimed in, โMs. Zeller is out of touch, firing whomever she pleases without considering the consequences.โ
โThatโs harsh,โ someone countered. โExcept for Dex, she hasnโt fired any ordinary employees. Shouldnโt those with connections be the first to go?โ
โItโs not about that,โ another said. โDexโs family is struggling; heโs a good father. Itโs heartbreaking.โ
โLetโs plead with Ms. Zeller on Dexโs behalf,โ someone suggested. โShe might reconsider if she knew his circumstances.โ
Others agreed. โYes, letโs plead for Dex together.โ
On the rooftop, Dex felt a surge of happiness. Mr. Hegan is right. Using public opinion to pressure Ms. Zeller is my only chance. And afterwards, I'll receive $660,000! Despite his excitement, he maintained a pitiful demeanor.
As the discussion continued, the rooftop door opened. Yvette, Zoe, Lucas, Nelson, and Warron entered.
Silence fell. The manager wiped his brow, relieved by Yvette's timely arrival. Dex's eyes lit up.
The PR manager approached Yvette respectfully. โMs. Zeller, the man is Dex, assistant to the finance director. Heโs on the layoff list and is threatening to jump for an explanation.โ He paused, observing Yvette before continuing.
The manager stepped aside. The situation was now Yvetteโs to handle, especially with Nelson and Warron present.
Meeting Nelson's gaze, Dex reacted hysterically. Unexpectedly, he dropped to his knees, kowtowing frantically, his head bleeding.
โMs. Zeller, please donโt fire me!โ he cried. โIโve worked hard for years! My family depends on me, my daughter is sickโฆ Please, donโt let me go!โ