Chapter 19 The Standoff
After ensuring Audrey was properly attended to by the company's medical team, Elliot stepped into the main conference room where the company owner, a middle-aged man named Mr. Dalton, was waiting for him. The man’s expression was tense, clearly disturbed by the worsening situation.
"Mr. Harrington," Mr. Dalton greeted, his voice slightly shaky. "I apologize for this disturbance. We tried to open a dialogue with them, but... it seems our efforts were unsuccessful."
Elliot sat calmly in the chair at the end of the table. He merely nodded briefly, then answered with full conviction, "It's not the time to point fingers, Mr. Dalton. Right now, we need a solution. I want you to immediately invite the union representatives to come inside for a direct discussion."
Mr. Dalton frowned. "But... they are emotional right now. I worry a meeting like this will only exacerbate the situation."
Elliot stared quite sharply at Mr. Dalton, making the middle-aged man almost afraid to speak. "All problems can be solved with dialogue, Sir. If we let them continue to be angry without listening, it will become a ticking time bomb. Now, please bring them in. I will lead this discussion myself."
Although still hesitant, Mr. Dalton had no choice but to comply with the request. He immediately called a few staff members to invite the union representatives into the room.
A few minutes later, four union representatives entered the room. Their faces were tense and full of caution. One of them, a sturdy man in his 40s, introduced himself.
"I am Richard, the head of the labor union in this company," he said without preamble. "We are here carrying the voice of our colleagues who feel they are not being treated fairly."
Elliot smiled fleetingly, pointing to the prepared chairs. "Please sit down, Mr. Richard, gentlemen. Let's discuss this professionally."
Richard sat down, but his expression remained stern. "We have tried to talk with management before. But there were no results. So we were forced to take to the streets so our voices would be heard."
"And now, I'm here to listen," Elliot replied in a firm yet calm tone. "Please explain the points of your demands in detail."
Just as Richard was about to begin, the sound of the door opening made everyone turn. Audrey entered, limping slightly, which momentarily surprised Elliot.
Calmly, the man signaled his guests to wait, then quickly approached his secretary, who was sitting in one of the chairs.
"Why did you come in here?" Elliot asked in a whisper, looking at Audrey with a mix of annoyance and worry, though he tried to conceal it.
"The medical team finished treating my injury. I need to listen and assist you in this meeting. You might need my help."
Elliot's eyebrows involuntarily shot up at Audrey's statement. Then he scoffed softly. "You're very confident, aren't you?"
Audrey merely pulled the corner of her lips up briefly, offering no further response. Elliot returned to his spot and allowed the meeting to begin.
Richard and his team began to lay out the main issues—from nontransparent pay cuts to the arbitrary termination of several contract employees. Each time they spoke, Elliot listened carefully, occasionally making notes in his small book.
Audrey, sitting at the end of the table, tried to stay focused despite the pain in her ankle, which made her wince occasionally. She took notes on every discussion point to ensure everything discussed was neatly recorded.
Elliot, without being obvious, glanced several times toward Audrey. Seeing his secretary, who seemed to be enduring the pain, he sighed softly. His focus returned to the discussion, though a slight concern was evident on his face.
"Our request is simple," Richard stated after finishing his long presentation. "We want clarity and fairness. If the company continues to ignore our rights, we will not stop demonstrating."
Elliot interwined his finger on the table, his gaze sharp. "I understand your demands, Mr. Richard. But the company also faces financial constraints right now. We cannot meet all demands at once without sacrificing operational continuity."
"So, you're saying we should continue working with inadequate pay?!" one of the union members cut in, his voice rising.
"Calm down," Elliot said in a low tone, yet managing to silence the room instantly. "No one is saying that. I just want us to find a realistic solution for both parties."
The discussion continued with many arguments from both sides. Richard and his team pressed hard, while Elliot calmly addressed every objection. Occasionally, he asked Audrey to prepare supporting documents proving the company's transparency.
Audrey, despite her discomfort, worked diligently. Her hands moved quickly, handing the necessary files to Elliot. The man glanced at her again, this time with a slightly softer expression.
"If your condition worsens, you may step out first," he said softly when the discussion reached a pause.
"No, Sir. I am here to assist you," Audrey replied, trying to cover her physical state with a smile, although she looked slightly weary.
Elliot desperately wanted to tell Audrey to just sit still, but he knew that would only make his secretary feel more unappreciated. He finally said nothing and returned his focus to the conversation.
After hours of discussion, both parties finally reached a temporary agreement. Elliot led the final summary with absolute conviction, ensuring every point was clearly noted by Audrey.
"I assure you, the company will review the salary system and work contracts. However, we also request time to implement these adjustments," Elliot stated, closing the meeting.
Richard nodded, although his expression was still somewhat hard. "We will monitor the implementation of this promise, Mr. Harrington. Don't let this be just empty talk."
Elliot looked the man straight in the eyes. "I am not one for empty promises. You will see the results."
As the union representatives left the room, Elliot could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He glanced toward Audrey, who now looked truly exhausted, then stood up and approached her.
"Let me clean up everything. You rest," Elliot instructed, his voice slightly commanding.
"Piling papers won't make me faint, Sir," Audrey grumbled slightly, accelerating her hand movements to organize the documents.
Elliot sighed, seeing how stubborn the woman near him was. With one swift motion, he gently took hold of Audrey's wrist, making her gasp in surprise.
"Sir—" Audrey intended to protest, but Elliot's sharp and firm glare instantly silenced her. Her heart rate increased as her face grew warm.
His grip was firm, yet his thumb rested against her pulse point with an unexpected, almost unsettling gentleness.
"You've pushed yourself enough today," Elliot said in a low, emphatic tone. His hand, still holding Audrey's wrist, felt warm, a stark contrast to his flat expression. "“Rest. I don’t want you passing out from exhaustion.”
Audrey swallowed. When she tried to pull her hand away, Elliot's grip only tightened, though it wasn't painful.