Chapter 297: Inappropriate
Caroline sat up straight, and Leopold said, "The hotel vouchers can only be given out as participation prizes to everyone. You're my wife—using my hotel vouchers as prizes could easily be misunderstood as a sneaky way to drive business."
Caroline understood this logic, she never planned to give out those vouchers as gifts anyway.
She said, "I'll keep them to give to people when needed. Saves me from calling you for discounts every time."
Leopold smiled. "For rewards, it should mainly be about honor. Your organization's work nature and structure are different from our business. You could do something like a wall of honor—make photos of everyone's award-winning moments and display them in a prominent spot at work. As for other things, you'll need to figure that out yourself."
Caroline nodded, remembering last year's winter training. "I got third place last year. The prize was a bar of soap. Second and first place got towels and bath towels."
Leopold gave a thumbs up. "Impressive. Where's that bar of soap now?"
Caroline said, "I used it ages ago."
Leopold laughed. "But that was an honor."
Caroline saw his teasing smile. "I'm really leaving now."
"Don't go." Leopold held her hand, playing with it. "Have you figured out how to solve the low participation problem?"
Caroline was quiet for a moment, then shook her head. "No."
Leopold said, "Low participation probably means there's a problem with how you set up the technical skill activities. Either the training content is too ordinary, or the technical content is too simple. I might not be putting this professionally, but you should get what I mean."
Caroline replied, "I understand."
Leopold continued, "Think about it—they deal with this stuff every day, and then the industry activities still focus on the same things. There's no challenge for them, no novelty. It's like the beef at this restaurant—no matter how good it tastes, if you make me eat it for a month, I'll get sick of it. Variety is important."
Caroline thought for a moment. "What if I do a survey and collect suggestions for training content?"
Leopold nodded approvingly. "Good idea."
In half an hour, they'd basically worked out solutions for this year's winter training activities.
Caroline glanced at her watch. "It's time. I need to get to work."
Leopold dropped her off at the entrance to her workplace. Caroline asked, "Are you working late tonight?"
"What do you mean?" Leopold rested his arm on the car door, looking at her in admiration. "Making up for that interest from earlier?"
"If you're not working late tonight, I could go buy groceries. The fridge is empty."
Leopold readily agreed. "I won't work late."
He watched her walk into the compound and disappear around the corner before driving away.
After work, Caroline went to the supermarket to buy groceries.
She went to the fresh food section on the second floor, bought two fish, and waited nearby for the staff to clean them.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice from across the shelves.
Caspian said, "I'm in maintenance and repair. You wouldn't know it even if I told you."
"You're doing maintenance? Not working in an office?" Yasmin Murphy asked in surprise.
Caspian was getting annoyed with her. "Mom, stop worrying about my business."
"Your dad doesn't care, and if I don't care either, what kind of position will you have at work?" Yasmin said. "No, I need to have your dad make a phone call."
Caspian got anxious. "A phone call for what? I'm happy here. Please don't interfere."
"How is this interfering? I wanted you in an office job, protected from wind and rain, but she put you on the front lines. Is climbing electric poles really such great work?"
"I wanted to go. You can only learn things at the grassroots level." Caspian replied.
Yasmin frowned irritably. "Stop trying to upset me. Your dad knew you were going to Seaside City Power Company, why didn't he arrange for things in advance."
Caroline was so focused on listening to their conversation that she didn't notice them coming around the shelves until they saw her.
"Ms. Tudor!" Caspian was surprised, then suddenly realized she might have heard their conversation.
Unlike Caspian who was embarrassed, Yasmin quickly walked over to Caroline. "Hello, Ms. Tudor. I'm Caspian's mother."
Caroline smiled. "Hello."
Caspian quickly pushed the shopping cart over. "Ms. Tudor, are you shopping here too?"
"Yes, it's on my way."
Caspian stood between them. "I guess you two don't need me to introduce you."
Yasmin had an elegant, refined air about her—a full forehead, round cheeks, and a face that radiated prosperity.
She smiled and said, "What's there to introduce? Do you usually shop here, Ms. Tudor?"
"Occasionally." Caroline replied.
Yasmin's eyes were hard to read, but she maintained an appropriate smile.
From their earlier conversation, Caroline could tell Yasmin wasn't easy to deal with.
"We live nearby—Crystal Bay Heights, the next door. It's very convenient to get here. Caspian came home today saying he was exhausted and wanted something good to eat, so I brought him." she said.
People living in the standalone villas at Crystal Bay Heights were either wealthy or powerful. Combined with what came next, Yasmin was clearly unhappy about Caroline assigning Caspian to the operations and maintenance department.
Caroline said, "Caspian is quite devoted. Not many young people nowadays are willing to work hard like him and learn technical skills. He's much better than other college graduates we've hired. I think highly of Caspian too."
Yasmin's eyes flickered subtly. Caroline looked young, but her words were practically airtight.
She said, "Ms. Tudor, Caspian just graduated. He has no work experience, his skills lack practice, and he doesn't know anything. Please take good care of him at work. He's my only son. I've spoiled him since childhood—he can't handle hardship or criticism, but his character is absolutely good, you can trust that. If he causes any problems at work, discipline him for me. Think of Caspian as your own little brother. If he really won't listen, just call his father. He's very naughty and stubborn. I can't control him anyway, but he's afraid of his dad."
Caspian quickly interrupted. "Mom, how can you do this? Exposing my flaws in front of others. Can you let me make a good impression on my boss?"
Fortunately Caspian intervened, and the fish at the counter were ready.
Caroline took the fish and said, "Mrs. Sforza, I won't keep you from your shopping. I have someone at home waiting for me to cook."
Yasmin also acted casual. "You go ahead with your business."
Caspian kept looking back at Caroline's departing figure, saying with a sense of loss, "Mom, what you said just now was so awkward for her. She's my boss after all. It wasn't appropriate to talk like that."
Yasmin noticed Caspian craning his neck to look back and pulled him forward. "I don't think it was inappropriate. Sending you to the grassroots level is what's inappropriate. She really doesn't take your dad seriously at all."