Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby
Chapter 58: You have a choice

Chapter 58: You have a choice

In the conference room, a quiet hum of chatter echoed as the employees waited for the arrival of their bosses. Some whispered among themselves, exchanging speculations and guesses, while others sat nervously, adjusting their ties or tapping their pens against their notepads.

Suddenly, the door to the conference room swung open. A wave of silence rippled through the room as the employees turned toward the entrance.

Their CEO, Ava Martin, stepped inside first, then moved aside respectfully, allowing a young woman in a striking purple business suit to enter. The sharp clicking of the woman’s high heels against the polished floor filled the room, commanding attention with each confident step she took. Beside her was the former chairman of the company, Joseph Ingram, who appeared to be explaining something intently to the woman. Strangely enough, his posture and tone seemed less like that of a chairman and more like that of an employee reporting to his superior.

All eyes in the conference room were immediately drawn to the young woman. She was breathtaking... one of the most beautiful women they had ever seen. With the added height from her heels, she stood close to six feet tall, making her tower slightly over Joseph Ingram. Her tailored business suit fit her like a second skin, radiating power and professionalism while subtly showcasing her graceful curves. Even without uttering a word, her presence exuded authority and magnetism, impossible to ignore.

Trailing behind her, Ava Martin walked alongside Teresa Li, a familiar face among the employees due to her many public appearances as Heimdall Technologies’ representative. Five other directors followed them closely, looking both excited and anxious. Two armed guards entered last, closing the doors firmly behind them and positioning themselves at the entrance... a silent reminder of the importance of this gathering.

When they reached the front of the room, Joseph Ingram gestured respectfully toward a seat reserved at the head of the table. The young woman sat down gracefully, followed by Teresa Li and then Ava Martin beside her. The seat on Eleanor’s other side remained empty as Joseph took a position in front of her, standing respectfully.

The directors and senior staff members settled into the front row of seats, all eyes glued to the unfolding scene.

Joseph cleared his throat and asked politely, "Miss Raynor, may we begin the meeting?"

The young woman smiled faintly and said, "Please. It’s still your company."

Joseph smiled, a mixture of pride and humility crossing his face, and confidently made his way to the podium. Adjusting the microphone, he paused briefly to compose his thoughts before addressing the assembled employees.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Joseph began, "welcome to the first formal employee meeting of NexaByte Technologies after our change in ownership. As many of you may already know, Heimdall Technologies is now the proud owner of NexaByte."

He paused, scanning the audience. "Now, some of you might be wondering... if ownership has changed, why am I still standing here?"

A few chuckles rippled through the room, easing the tension slightly.

Joseph continued, "Following the acquisition, Heimdall Technologies extended an extraordinary offer to the founding directors... an opportunity rarely seen in the business world. They allowed us to retain our director positions, to continue leading the company we built with our own hands. We accepted, grateful for the chance to carry forward our vision."

He paused again, letting his words sink in, then added, "You might also wonder why we chose to sell the company if we still had a vested interest. The truth is, we were doing well until the competition intensified. Tech giants with vast capital investments established advanced data centers here in the Kingdom. Without comparable resources, we fell behind. Gradually, we started losing money, even though we managed to pay your salaries on time."

There was a somber murmur among the employees.

"We were on the verge of collapse," Joseph admitted. "At that critical moment, Heimdall Technologies came to us like a lifeline. We sold the company, but we did not sell our passion, our dedication, or our dreams. That’s why I stand before you today... not as a defeated man, but as a leader grateful for a second chance."

His voice softened with emotion. "To Heimdall, we extend our heartfelt thanks. We raised this company like our own child. Our blood, sweat, time, and resources were poured into it. And now, we are excited to see NexaByte enter a new era of greatness."

Joseph drew a deep breath and concluded, "I believe in Heimdall. We believe in Heimdall. And I urge all of you to believe as well. Together, we can reach unprecedented heights."

He smiled warmly at the employees, then said, "Now, without taking up more of your time, I am honored to introduce today’s guest of honor... the chairman of Heimdall Technologies, Miss Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor. Please welcome her with a warm round of applause!"

As he gestured toward Eleanor, the room erupted into thunderous applause.

Amid the applause, Eleanor rose gracefully from her seat and walked toward the podium. The employees, captivated by her presence, could barely tear their eyes away.

As the applause died down, a heavy silence enveloped the room. It was so quiet that the sound of a pin dropping could have been heard.

Eleanor stood still for a few moments, surveying the room with her calm, piercing green eyes. Her wavy, silver-tinged hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face so flawlessly beautiful that even the women in the room felt a pang of awe. Her skin seemed almost ethereal... fair, luminous, and flawless.

After a moment, she spoke... her voice carrying a distinct, pure British accent.

"Good morning, everyone," Eleanor began, her voice cool yet commanding. "I am Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor, your new boss."

She paused, allowing her words to settle before continuing, "I dislike public appearances. Therefore, only the high-level employees of NexaByte are attending today’s meeting."

Her gaze swept across the room. "Your CEO, Ava Martin, wanted to organize a general meeting for all employees. However, I did not find it necessary. Each of us has our own responsibilities within this company. As long as you fulfill your duties with excellence, we have no need for unnecessary familiarity. I believe in the right person in the right position. In business, it is not our words that speak for us... it is our work."

The employees listened, enraptured.

"I am here today at Ava’s insistence," Eleanor continued. "She requested that I personally assure you that NexaByte is not just another acquisition for Heimdall Technologies. It has an important and strategic role. NexaByte will operate Heimdall’s first data center in the Kingdom."

There was a ripple of interest through the audience.

"I have heard," Eleanor said calmly, "that some employees have already left, others intend to leave, and many more are uncertain about their future here."

Her expression hardened slightly. "I feel somewhat sorry for Ava’s concerns. Personally, I have never pleaded with any employee to stay. I would rather let people leave if they lack the ambition or resilience to stay. If you perform your duties well, you will be rewarded. If you excel, you will be promoted. That is all there is to it."

Her voice grew firmer. "Today, I want you to understand the true nature of Heimdall. Heimdall is not merely a company. It is a global tech conglomerate, comprising thirty-seven companies... NexaByte being one of them."

There were murmurs of surprise.

"Understand this clearly," Eleanor said. "If NexaByte fails, it will impact thirty-six other companies under Heimdall’s umbrella. We will not sit idly by while incompetence destroys what we have built. Responsibility is paramount."

A shiver passed through the audience.

"We have acquired all surrounding plots near our Trafford Park data center," Eleanor informed them. "We will remodel, expand, and upgrade it into one of the finest data centers in the world."

Pride gleamed in her eyes as she spoke.

"Therefore," Eleanor said, her voice like steel, "if you wish to leave NexaByte, today is your opportunity. After this meeting, NexaByte will formally implement Heimdall’s corporate policies... including higher salaries, better job security, and enhanced benefits... but also stricter responsibilities and expectations."

A gasp rippled through the employees, followed by a wave of murmurs. Several employees exchanged excited glances, clearly elated by the news of improved salaries and benefits.

But not everyone shared the joy.

One man, sitting rigidly at the back, was sweating bullets. His face had gone pale the moment Eleanor walked into the room. His name was Daan Hendriks, the manager of NexaByte’s logistics department.

Daan had crossed paths with Eleanor once before, in a Louis Vuitton flagship store. That encounter had been disastrous. At the time, his girlfriend Willow White, had insulted Eleanor, causing a scene. Daan had witnessed firsthand the fearful deference shown by the store manager toward Eleanor after she casually handed over a card that clearly signified immense power. He had dragged Willow out of the store that day, avoiding any conflict.

And now, that same woman stood before him... as his ultimate boss.

Daan’s mind raced with panic. He knew he wasn’t as academically qualified as others in similar positions. His career had been built through sheer hard work. If he lost his job at NexaByte, he doubted another company would offer him anything close to his current position.

Desperation gripped him as he frantically thought of ways to salvage his job... ways to seek forgiveness, if necessary. But what if it was too late?

Meanwhile, Eleanor was concluding her speech.

"I do not tolerate mediocrity," she said crisply. "Whether you are a CEO or a cleaner, I expect excellence. Excellence is not about grand gestures. It is about doing your job perfectly, no matter how small or large."

Her voice dropped to a chilling softness. "If you are mediocre, if you cannot uphold the standards we require, I would be grateful if you leave voluntarily."

Her words cut through the room like a blade.

"You have a choice," Eleanor finished. "Join an excellent team... or relieve us of your mediocrity."

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