Chapter 43 Noah's Company In Ruins

Chapter 43 Noah's Company In Ruins
The next morning, I order breakfast and head to the company soon.

Stepping into the office, I feel empty. This is the place where Noah used to work.

I look at his chair and break down. This is the place he used to sit at. Everything in his office is still his, not mine.

I move his chair to the side and use another one.

I can’t sit in his chair, it reminds me too much of him. Besides, this will always be his.

I also notice a new secretary.

"Hi, I’m Stacy. Mr. Knight hired me when he was handling the company. I’ll assist you from now on, Miss Emma," she replies with a merry tone.

I nod in return.

Just then, John enters. I remember him; he was the manager in the past. He was kind, and we often conversed, something that bothered Noah.

He greets me with a smile.

"How are you? I hope you’re coping with the situation well," he speaks sympathetically.

"I… I’m okay. Thank you for asking," I reply with a merry tone. Even though inside, I feel the opposite, I have to be strong, for Noah.

The moment I stepped in, I entered a new world. People are different here. There are bad men like Lucas and people who have their eyes set on the company, knowing that the original owner is no more. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with all this.

"I know it’s your first day here, Emma. And I hate to burden you, but there’s something important you need to deal with," he states, an apprehensive expression on his face.

He ambles forward, plopping a bundle of papers in front of me.

"When… when some of the employees came to know of the recent changes, they resigned. These are the employees who resigned," he states.

"But these are a lot," I mumble, looking at him.

"I know, and the problem is that these are the employees at the executive positions. The company will be imbalanced. Restoring the seats with new people in such a short time is impossible," he explains, heightening my worry.

"And the weirdest thing about this is that all of them are transferring to Knight Inc. How did they get a job there so fast? And why are all of them shifting to the very same company? This is some serious plotting. I advise you not to accept their resignation. They don’t have a solid reason," John recommends.

"But they can make a fuss about it. It will ruin the company’s reputation," the new secretary butts in.

John looks at her in confusion, his eyebrows raised.

"Who are you?" he says, in a taunting manner.

"I’m the new secretary. Mr. Knight appointed me when he was handling the company instead of Miss Emma," she states.

"The same company our employees are shifting to? Don’t you think that’s a bit weird, Emma?" John questions.

"I… I don’t want to point at anyone," I reply.

"S… sir, it is true that Mr. Knight appointed me, but I would never betray the company. I signed a strict contract; I’ll serve three years here. I can’t shift even if I wanted to. Besides, working here is working for Knight Inc. I signed a contract with them, for your company," she explains.

"So what you’re saying is that even though you’ll work for this company, you’re under Mr. Knight?" John asks, frustrated.

"This doesn’t make sense," I mutter.

"Yes, I’ll also be paid by Knight Inc.," she further states.

"You’re his puppet. The door is there, you can leave," I say, pointing toward the exit.

"Sorry, what?" she asks, utterly puzzled.

"I don’t trust him, or anyone associated with him," I whisper, looking down. My life is going downhill, and Lucas is just adding more problems. How can you do that to someone you claim to love?

"Ma’am, please trust me. I’m sincere about my job. This is my first experience, I don’t know what’s going on. Please just let me work here. I really need this," she begs, and I feel bad.

I could have been that girl. I was that girl once, trying to keep my job as a waitress in a restaurant, yet I was fired and no one helped me.

I can’t be that cruel person who fires someone without a second thought, without considering their circumstances.

"You can stay. Just don’t make me regret my decision," I state, looking straight into her eyes.

John tries to object but then doesn’t say a thing.

"What are we going to do about these?" he says, referring to the bundle of papers.

"I can’t hold them, John. If they don’t want to work here, I can’t force them. They won’t stay loyal to the company," I argue.

"You’re right. But we can sue them for this, make a legal case out of it. Just to drag them for doing this. So next time, they think twice before pulling a stunt like that," John says, with a hint of viciousness.

"But that’s mean," I point out, and John chuckles.

"That’s how it works here. This is a world filled with deceit. There’s always someone willing to push you down so they may swim," he explains.

"Anyway, there are a lot of investors backing off. Our partnerships are also being canceled. The death of Mr. Noah Enrique spread like wildfire."

"In short, we are doomed," Stacy completes.

"Everything was fine when Noah was present," I whine. I can’t deal with this. I don’t even have a simple degree in this field. How am I going to face real-life situations that I haven’t studied? I know absolutely nothing!

"Everything was also fine when Mr. Knight handled these things. After Mr. Enrique’s death, it all turned upside down as soon as you stepped in. I don’t want to be rude, but that’s what I have seen, Emma," he states.

"So you mean I’m the problem?" I ask, pointing toward myself.

"Not exactly. I think you are someone’s problem. Someone very powerful. The person has no issue with the company, but as soon as you stepped in, it’s like he wants to turn it to ashes within seconds. And if things keep going this way, that moment isn’t far away." he explains.