Chapter 837: “You Look Better”
Manuel remained impassive.
Susan explained, "Tammy's a longtime employee. Losing her job upset her. I wanted to give her a bonus privately, but felt awkward. It's better to do it through the company, so she won't refuse. I'll cover the cost personally. Just ask HR for assistance."
Manuel finally spoke. "Do you have a lot of money?"
"Quite a bit," Susan admitted readily. The sale of Phillips had left her financially secure; enough to live comfortably for life.
"So you could quit anytime without worry," Manuel murmured, a hint of irony in his tone.
Susan, unconcerned, declared, "Yes, my life would remain unchanged. I've already booked a six-month trip abroad, returning when Hannah gives birth."
Manuel's face turned green. He regretted his generosity, wishing he'd played a harder hand, leaving Susan with nothing.
Susan, noticing his silence, continued, "Please help with Tammy's compensation. It's late; I'm leaving."
"Stay!" Manuel commanded sternly.
Susan, puzzled by his continued harshness, felt a lingering fear. She wondered if he'd refuse her request; after all, she'd nearly destroyed his business that day. She remained amazed by his ability to recover the deleted files.
"Who authorized your resignation?"
Stunned, Susan realized she hadn't needed permission; she’d simply resigned. Manuel's lack of objection implied consent. Yet, she hadn't given him a chance to respond.
She stared at him, shocked.
Manuel's voice rose. "All you think about is hiding from problems instead of solving or avoiding them! You're not a newbie. Can't you improve? Take more responsibility?"
Susan braced for more criticism.
"If faced with this, I wouldn't resign, especially not with a colleague! As a leader, you should focus on keeping your subordinates, not impulsively shirking responsibility!"
Susan blushed, though unhappy, she couldn't argue with his logic.
"You considered extra compensation, but not keeping her? I'm disappointed."
Susan bit her lip, speechless. He was right; her first thought had been to stand by Tammy, not to prevent her resignation.
"Regardless of the cause, the responsibility rests with you. Never enter crucial negotiations unprepared! Never leave important matters in others' hands!"
Susan listened quietly. She hadn't planned adequately, regardless of Clara's interference.
"Never again," Manuel stated concisely.
Susan stared.
"Don't you understand?" Manuel asked anxiously.
"So, I don't need to quit? Neither does Tammy?"
"I never said I'd fire you," Manuel stated loudly, revealing his concern over her resignation. His raised voice startled her.
Calming herself, she asked, "So I can work tomorrow?"
"Or?"
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman! Thank you for not firing me or Tammy!" She was eager to work diligently.
"You and Tammy were absent today," Manuel added.
Though inwardly protesting, Susan remained silent.
"Of course. I'll leave now. I'll be at work half an hour early tomorrow!" She'd learned a valuable lesson.
"Wait," Manuel stopped her.
Susan turned, fearing a reversal.
"Take your laptop!"
Manuel's gesture to her laptop, left behind in their hasty exit, prompted a hurried retrieval. He placed a hand on it, puzzling her.
"This laptop is company property," he stated firmly.
Susan nodded quickly. "I know!"
"What's in the file named 'Mermaids'?"
Susan flushed, then paled. How did he know? What had he done? She'd used it for personal relaxation during late-night overtime. How could she explain the pornography? He would surely think her indecent.
"Why 'Mermaids'?" Manuel asked.
Susan swallowed. "Because they can't surface." Meaning the files' contents were hidden.
She was shocked by his discovery; it was deeply concealed.
Manuel seemed to suppress a smile, finding her unpredictable.
"Looks good?" he asked.
"What?" Susan was confused.
"The 'Mermaids'," he said, his face drawn.
Susan's reply was immediate, involuntary: "You look better."
"..."