Chapter 48

• Fred noticed the stunned expressions on the faces of the employees. He felt a mix of pride and awkwardness. This shift in Stephan’s demeanor was due to Sylvia, the Young Madam, whose influence had started to soften the usually stern atmosphere of the office. Fred smiled awkwardly, knowing that he deserved none of the thanks they were silently offering.
• “Dismissed!” Stephan ordered, his voice cutting through the murmurs. He stood up and strode out of the conference room with an air of authority. The employees immediately rose from their seats, bowing until the sound of their boss’s footsteps faded into the distance. Once they were certain he was gone, they released the breaths they had been holding, exhaling in unison like a pack of anxious schoolchildren finally released from detention.
• “Mr. Fred, did something good happen?” one of the employees ventured, stepping forward, curiosity evident in their eyes.