Chapter 402: She’s my ex, Elena
"I didn’t expect you to call Imanuel," Lucius said as he drove the car at a moderate speed.
"While I was speaking with the sales project manager, I noticed Nora running errands. She was carrying stacks of files while everyone else took a break. It infuriated me. When the other receptionists left for lunch, she was the only one forced to stay behind. I couldn’t just stand by and watch. It reminded me too much of my older self, always overworking, desperate to secure a stable position, afraid of disappointing anyone." Layla let out her frustration while speaking those words.
Lucius nodded, holding the steering wheel. "You did the right thing. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you fired those employees and replaced them with people who actually respect their colleagues," he muttered.
Layla shook her head. "I’ve considered it, but I don’t want to be seen as a ruthless boss or leave them cursing my name. There has to be a better way. I want to change this toxic work culture, not just in that department but across the entire company."
Lucius glanced at her, admiration flickering in his eyes. "That’s a noble goal, but eradicating workplace toxicity entirely is nearly impossible."
"I know," Layla admitted. "But if we can take steps to minimize it, then it’s worth the effort."
"Yeah, that’s true," he agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "By the way, I didn’t expect you to keep track of every small detail in the company. Does this kind of thing happen with others too?" he asked with curiosity.
"I haven’t noticed it with anyone else yet," Layla replied. "But with Nora, I’ve observed it since the very beginning of her time here."
Lucius hummed in thought. "That’s probably because of Demitri," he remarked.
Layla frowned, turning to face him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, Demitri knows her, and given his high position in the company, people must have taken notice. The front desk staff might have been jealous after seeing them talk," he explained.