Chapter 38 A Sudden Promotion
"Ha! Are you absolutely certain you had no idea?!" The General Manager’s voice thundered through the phone, the sheer volume causing him to wince and pull the device away from his ear momentarily before cautiously returning it. "Don’t think we’re oblivious. Weren’t you attempting to sell the CEO’s niece’s car just moments ago?! Go ahead, continue with your charade. Just hope the CEO decides not to escalate this any further, or you’ll be facing dire consequences!" With that, the general manager abruptly terminated the call.
Things unfolded so swiftly that he barely had a moment to process it all. It took a while for the reality of the situation to sink in, and he stared at Athena with wide, incredulous eyes.
Shortly after, another phone began to ring. Following the sound, the store manager’s gaze landed on Jess, who was already answering the call.
"He-hello, General Manager?" Jess’s voice quivered with nervousness, his words catching in his throat. Recalling the previous caller’s mention of his potential promotion to manager only heightened his anxiety. It would be dishonest to deny that he wasn’t bracing himself for a significant upheaval that could alter the course of his life. The thought of such swift, transformative change left him pondering the fickle nature of fate. Yet, despite the glimmer of hope, a sense of pessimism crept in, overshadowing his anticipation with doubts of empty promises.
"I believe you’ve already spoken with the CEO," the General Manager’s tone softened, expressing gratitude for the integrity displayed by an individual within his branch. He couldn’t help but feel relieved, knowing that if the CEO discovered complicity among all branch members in the sale of his niece’s car, he’d bear the brunt of the repercussions. He was genuinely thankful that such a situation had been averted, largely due to the actions of the person on the other end of the line.
He even entertained the idea that his branch would see improvement in the future with the change of personnel, perhaps no longer languishing at the bottom of the performance chart. This anticipation filled him with a sense of optimism and satisfaction about promoting the individual in question.
"CEO?! When?!" His eyes widened to the size of saucers as the realization hit him. In a swift motion, he turned his head to gaze at Athena. ’No way! Could it be what I’m thinking?’
The general manager chuckled softly. "Didn’t he just speak with you on the phone? He expressed his gratitude for your intervention, ensuring his niece wasn’t bullied and her car wasn’t taken. You see, that particular car was personally requested by the CEO from the manufacturer for customization, which is why it carries a higher price tag compared to the standard limited edition model," the general manager clarified.
Jess found himself in an extraordinary situation. Opening his mouth, then closing it repeatedly, he struggled to find the right words to articulate the whirlwind of emotions coursing through him. Overwhelmed and at a loss for words, he turned to Athena, his reddened eyes reflecting a mix of astonishment and gratitude.