"Papa, papa!" Sean smiled, raising his hand to lightly clap. "I still don't know your name."
"Peter. Peter Norman, sir," replied the white man, taking a deep breath.
"Very well, Mr. Peter Norman. I'm honored to inform you that you have been fired." Sean's smile remained unchanged.
Before this moment, he had sharpened his metaphorical knife, ready to seize control of the new company. If he wanted to implement his policies swiftly, he believed eliminating Liwei was key.
"You!" Peter Norman's face flushed red, his nostrils flaring as he struggled to catch his breath. He hadn't anticipated being fired simply for asking a question. "You tyrant!"
"Don't act surprised. There are plenty of people here; just get on with it. I won't reduce your salary by a single cent, and you'll receive all the compensation you're entitled to. I never take advantage of others. As for your future plans—whether you want to sue me or contact a union or any other organization—that's entirely up to you," Sean replied coldly.
The atmosphere grew heavy. No one expected Sean to wield such power, nor to be so blunt. Edward, standing behind, opened his mouth to speak but ultimately didn't dare. He sighed inwardly.
Peter Norman, the lead engineer of the construction team, was known for his capability and leadership.
"Please," Sean gestured toward the door. Peter gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and walked out.
With a smug smile, Sean surveyed the room. He noticed Saul pause slightly, and Saul quickly followed Peter outside.
"Okay, now that the idlers are gone, I have an announcement," Sean said, smiling again as he stepped in front of the remaining employees. "As you all know, the company is undergoing restructuring. We've established a new rating system, ranging from E1 to E12. Each level corresponds to different positions and salaries."
"Based on your past performance and actual skills, we've worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers to create a fair assessment for each of you. Edward, please share the details."
Edward cleared his throat and stepped forward. Despite being the top boss, he still deferred to Sean. "Listen closely, everyone. I'm going to outline the basic salaries and benefits associated with each grade."
Twenty minutes later, as the rating standards were announced, shockwaves rippled through the crowd. Many realized their salaries were higher than expected. "Is this a raise? No one's been fired yet? How is this possible?"
"Why are these Chinese workers here? Are they just here to watch?"
"Could Sean really be this kind?"
Seeing the confusion on their faces, Sean smiled again. "What? Surprised? Do you think the company would fire people to cut costs? That we'd replace you with someone cheaper? That's a shallow way of thinking. I dismissed Peter Norman not out of malice, but to show strength. His panic only revealed his insecurity."
"I bought shares in this company to help it grow, not to drain resources from you. I recognize that you're skilled construction workers. You all deserve better positions, but the company's size has limited your opportunities. That's about to change."
"The company is expanding, and some lower-level, non-technical jobs will be handled by the new staff," he pointed at the group of Chinese workers behind him. "I want you all to move up, to earn higher salaries that reflect your abilities."
"I don't believe in mistreating people, but I also won't tolerate being underestimated. Edward and I are committed to expanding beyond Newark, and I hope you all keep pace with the company's growth."
"Alright, that's enough from me. Edward will discuss work arrangements. If anyone is dissatisfied, feel free to submit your resignation."
"America lacks many things, but industrial workers are not one of them." With that, Sean turned and left, followed by his team.
Once Sean was gone, the remaining workers exhaled in relief, smiles returning to their faces. Promotions and raises—what could be more satisfying? As for Peter Norman, he was simply a casualty of the new boss's temperament.
"Beyond my expectations, sir! Your speech was remarkable—balancing kindness with authority. You've truly taken control," Lamb Willie praised as they exited the construction site. "You would make an excellent candidate for parliament; your eloquence surpasses those chubby old politicians."
Sean smiled modestly. "It's just a matter of knowing how to manage people. Capitalists excel at squeezing workers—just a little practice goes a long way."
"Let's forget about politics; it's too limiting," Sean waved dismissively.
Sean felt satisfied with the direction of the construction company. Not only had they tripled their productivity, but they were also well-positioned for future projects. If anyone decided to act out, they had the resources to handle it. As they walked back to the boardroom of the temporary base, Lamb Willie suddenly froze upon entering. There, sitting at the table, was Peter Norman—the very man they had just dismissed. Confusion crossed Lamb's face as he turned to Sean, eyes wide with surprise.
"Did you collude to stage this?" Lamb asked, incredulous.
"Learning is useless; studying is pointless!" Sean chuckled, unaware of Lamb's line of thinking. He quickly reviewed some documents Lamb had brought, signing them with a practiced hand.
As Lamb left, he cast a lingering glance at Peter Norman, who sat looking both defiant and defeated. "You look like a man who can act, but I didn't expect you to put on such a show," Lamb muttered before exiting.
Once the room was cleared, Sean, Saul, and Peter were left alone. Sean broke the silence. "No one seemed to plead for you back there. They appeared quite pleased with the news of their promotions and raises. What do you think?"
"Did you call me here just to humiliate me?" Peter replied, his face flushed with anger.
"No, no. I don't have time for that. I'm actually here to let you…" Sean paused, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Sue me!"
Saul looked at Sean in disbelief, while Peter stared, momentarily speechless. "You—what did you just say?"
"You heard me correctly. I want you to sue me. Hire a lawyer, take me to court, involve the media—make as much noise as you can."
Both men looked at Sean as if he had lost his mind, struggling to grasp his reasoning.
"It's outrageous, isn't it?" Sean continued, his tone light but serious. "But think about it. If you do pursue legal action, it'll draw attention to your case. You'll gain a platform to express your grievances, and I'll be forced to respond. It could work in your favor, or at least create a spectacle that might benefit you in the long run."
Peter was bewildered, caught between anger and confusion. "You want me to make a public fuss? You really think that's going to help me?"
Sean leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eye. "Absolutely. The more noise you make, the more people will pay attention. It's a chance for you to turn the tables. And don't underestimate the power of a good story."
Saul, still processing the conversation, finally found his voice. "But why would you encourage him? Doesn't that put you at risk?"
Sean waved his hand dismissively. "Risk? Life is full of risks. I'm not worried. I believe in turning challenges into opportunities. Besides, if Peter plays his cards right, he could leverage this situation to his advantage. It's all part of the game."
Peter's expression shifted as he contemplated Sean's words. "So you're saying I could turn this into something beneficial for myself?"
"Exactly. Just think about it. If you manage to create a narrative around your dismissal, you could paint me as the villain. People love a good underdog story." Sean's tone was almost conspiratorial. "And if you're successful, you might even gain some support from the workers."
For the first time, Peter seemed to consider the possibility. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Dead serious," Sean replied, his demeanor shifting to one of earnestness. "The world is about perception. If you can manipulate that, you can change the game."
As the conversation continued, the tension in the room began to dissipate. Peter started to see the potential of Sean's suggestion. Perhaps this was not the end for him, but a new beginning.
"Alright, I'll think about it," Peter finally said, determination creeping into his voice.
"Good. Take your time, but don't take too long. Opportunities don't wait for anyone." Sean smiled, sensing he had planted a seed of ambition in Peter.
As they wrapped up their discussion, Saul couldn't help but admire Sean's unconventional approach. It was bold, risky, and perhaps even genius in its own way.
"Let's see how this unfolds," Sean said, standing up. "Now, let's get back to work. We have a company to grow."
With renewed energy, the three men exited the boardroom, each contemplating their next moves as they stepped into the bustling world of construction and corporate strategy.