The smile that had just begun to form on Heather’s face faded instantly when she saw Aurora suddenly appear. She remembered Aurora’s previous indifference and didn’t want to embarrass herself by offering warmth to someone who was cold. How could someone of her status be friends with Aurora? Heather’s smile disappeared, and she asked coldly, “Manager, is there something else?”
“Yes, I said we should have a meal together before, but I haven’t had the time. I’ll treat you to a meal,” Aurora said, her tone losing the harshness it had in the office.
“No need for meals, I can’t aspire to your level,” Heather said briskly as she packed her things and placed the cactus Aurora had handed her on top.
Aurora didn’t respond; she just took the cardboard box from Heather’s hands and walked toward the Maybach parked by the roadside. Heather had just gone to complete her resignation formalities when Aurora drove the car out to wait for her, knowing that many things couldn’t be discussed in the office.
“Manager, what are you doing?” Heather was taken aback as Aurora took her box. It was too odd for the manager to act this way.
“I’m inviting you to eat,” Aurora said as she efficiently placed the box in the trunk, leaving no room for Heather to refuse.
“Get in the car; I have something to tell you.”
Heather didn’t know what Aurora was up to, but since she was insistent, it couldn’t possibly be a trap, could it? Now that she had resigned, she had nothing left to lose, so she got into the passenger seat.
She had never been in such an expensive car; she even closed the door carefully, worried that she might scratch it and not be able to afford the repair with her month’s salary.
Aurora noticed how careful she was and softened her demeanor.
“Don’t be nervous; there’s no one else here. Just think of me as a friend.”
“A friend? I wouldn’t dare. The difference in our status is too great,” Heather thought, learning a vivid lesson in social reality. She might consider Aurora a friend, but what did Aurora consider her? At a time when friends needed help, Aurora hadn’t spoken a word in her defense.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Heather said, her voice clearly filled with anger.
“Heather, frankly, did you really do nothing wrong?” Aurora finally brought up the issue.
Heather’s face flushed with anger.
“Manager, if I really did something wrong, I’d resign without a second thought, without any resentment. But I was framed. The performance bonus report was Mrs. Lyman’s responsibility, and it’s usually prepared a week in advance. Yet, she gave me a pile of incorrect data yesterday and asked me to complete it in one day.
I won’t even mention how hard it was. I’m part of the company and should do these tasks, even if they’re not my direct responsibility. I stayed up all night; I didn’t even go home. I had only a sandwich for lunch and dinner yesterday, and I haven’t eaten anything today. I think I’ve tried my hardest, only to realize now that I was set up from the start.
They wanted to drive me away using this method. It’s my fault for not managing relationships well with others, so it’s normal to be disliked. But what really disappoints me is you, Manager. I thought of you as a friend. When I was wronged, all I hoped was that you would speak up for me.”
Heather had never spoken in such a tone before; today, she simply couldn’t hold back anymore, no matter if others wronged her. What mattered to her was Aurora.
“What exactly do you want me to say for you?” Aurora looked ahead, her tone still calm, catching Heather off guard with her question.
What did she really expect her to say?
“Or are you blaming me for not keeping you here?” Aurora asked directly.
“I’m not!”
“Not? If that were true, you wouldn’t be talking to me in that tone, Heather. You’re not blameless in this.”
“I was framed and wrongfully pushed out of the company, how is that my fault?” Heather responded angrily.
“First, as an employee, you have your own duties. If someone delegates their work to you, helping them is a favor, not helping is your right. Since you agreed to help, you shouldn’t blame afterward.
Even if she set a trap for you, it was your naivety not to notice. Entering the workplace, you should have been aware. You didn’t enter a workplace; you entered a battlefield! To climb higher, everyone employs various tactics. If you’re not careful, you’ll be utterly destroyed.
This is your first mistake: underestimating the competition at work; secondly, she gave you a day, intending either to make you fail to finish or to leave no time for review. You were so focused on entering the data, you lacked the most crucial thing-rational thought. Whatever we do, we must maintain clear thinking. Especially the materials due to your supervisor must be thoroughly checked before submission, or else, should any issues arise, ask yourself if you can afford the consequences. This is your second mistake.
You feel wronged, but have you considered that you might have contributed to this situation? The whole affair reeked of oddity, and you lacked the judgement for unseen dangers. Had you spotted and addressed any issues in these steps, you wouldn’t have ended up here. You underestimated the workplace, and now you’re paying the price. Have you understood this lesson now?”
Aurora’s words left Heather speechless. She hadn’t been wrong; it was her own fault.
“I’m sorry, manager. I’ve disappointed you. You had warned me before, yet I still naively trusted everyone.”
“And one last mistake, you think I’m harsh or indifferent, but have you thought about the situation? How can I speak well for you now? She switched the documents, and even if someone knew, you should understand from what just happened-those people won’t stand up for you.
Without evidence, even if I wanted to speak in your favor, you must provide proof, and this matter has angered my father. My father despises incompetence. If you’re paid but can’t perform, he’d have fired you outright. If I pleaded for you, wouldn’t that be slapping his face? Since it benefits neither of us, why should I do it?
I hope after today, you understand that no one is forever safe from being framed or sabotaged. If you want to survive in the workplace, not to harm others, but at a minimum, you must be capable of protecting yourself. Insight and judgement are also crucial professional qualities. If you don’t grow, you’ll continue to suffer in the future.”